The federal government has requested information about Carnegie Mellon University’s international students and possible collaborations it has with China-based universities and research institutions.
CMU President Farnam Jahanian said it was one of six American universities to receive a letter from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party regarding this information.
The federal government’s committee is meant to work on a bipartisan basis to “build consensus on the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and develop a plan of action to defend the American people, our economy and our values,” according to its website.
Specifically, the committee asked for insights into Carnegie Mellon’s policies and practices related to the participation of international students in research as well, Jahanian said.
“We are carefully reviewing the letter and will respond to it appropriately, consistent with how we generally respond to requests from the federal government,” he said. “Supporting our international community — academically, personally and through advocacy — remains an important priority for our academic units and our university leadership.”
Last week, Beijing demanded protections for Chinese students in the U.S. after the letters asked the six universities, including Carnegie Mellon and Stanford, to hand over a large amount of detailed information on their Chinese students, citing national security concerns, the Associated Press reported.
The letters alleged that the Chinese government was embedding researchers in top American institutions to gain direct access to sensitive technologies, according to the AP.
Many of Carnegie Mellon’s international students are “understandably anxious” at this time, Jahanian said.
The announcement came in a letter to Carnegie Mellon’s community titled “Navigating a Shifting Landscape,” which the president released Wednesday to address the state of current events.
“Across higher education and beyond, we are witnessing a time of profound change — challenges that test us and opportunities that demand our boldest ideas,” he said.
Ph.D. admissions at Carnegie Mellon will not be paused, Jahanian said in the letter.
“The potential harm to our national research and innovation enterprise is real,” he said.
While Carnegie Mellon’s financial health is “strong,” Jahanian said the university is assessing its budgets and being vigilant about spending and hiring decisions.
“We will not compromise our values,” he said. “Even as the societal context evolves and legal changes require us to adapt, our commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaged community — one where freedom of speech and academic freedom are protected — remains unshakable.”