In a significant development, Northwestern University has consented to pay $75 million to the U.S. government, resolving allegations of campus antisemitism. This settlement, announced by the Trump administration on Saturday, marks a pivotal resolution to a contentious issue that has been at the center of academic and political debate.
The agreement results in the restoration of federal research funding to the Chicago-area university, which had been previously frozen. $790 million in grants were put on hold by the administration, leading to significant repercussions for Northwestern, including staff layoffs and the resignation of the university's president, Michael Schill, in September.
The administration's decision to freeze the grants was based on the university's perceived inaction against incidents of antisemitism during campus protests by pro-Palestinian groups amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. As part of the settlement, Northwestern will pay the Treasury over the course of three years and will also be required to revoke the Deering Meadow agreement signed in April 2024, which Jewish groups have criticized for not adequately ensuring the safety of Jewish students on campus.
In addition to financial restitution, the settlement includes several compliance measures with federal anti-discrimination laws. Notably, Northwestern University must develop training materials, aimed especially at educating international students on campus norms, and rigorously uphold Title IX requirements. These requirements include providing safe and fair opportunities for women, including the availability of single-sex housing upon request, all-female sports teams, locker rooms, and showering facilities.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon commended the settlement, labeling it as a national precedent, and stating that the reforms "reflect bold leadership at Northwestern" and serve as a "roadmap for institutional leaders around the country that will help rebuild public trust in our colleges and universities."
This settlement is the second-largest of its kind, following Columbia University's $200 million payment in July to resolve similar issues. Brown and Cornell universities have also reached agreements with the Trump administration. These settlements are indicative of a broader effort by the administration to utilize federal research funding as a tool to encourage "common-sense" reforms in elite colleges and universities.
The Trump administration has been vocal about the responsibilities that come with federal funding. Institutions of higher education are expected to enforce policies that protect minority groups, maintain transparency, and foster an environment that is conducive to free speech and debate.
The Northwestern settlement arrives amidst a more extensive examination of U.S. universities and their handling of politically sensitive issues. It underscores the federal government's readiness to intervene decisively when educational institutions fail to meet federal standards.
