Unprecedented times call for unprecedented — and creative — measures.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security threatened to revoke the University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. Unless Harvard submits international students’ disciplinary information to the DHS, Harvard’s eligibility to bring international students to campus is at risk.

Harvard’s only public response thus far — beyond an email sent to affiliates — has been to reiterate that the University “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” While Harvard could potentially win a court case over the revocation of their SEVP certification, that would likely take time and leave international students in uncertain limbo. Even one year with zero students from outside the U.S. enrolled at Harvard would be devastating for all affiliates.

The University must rise to meet the moment — it’s time for Harvard to open an international collegiate campus.

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