Following negotiations between the Trump administration and Northwestern University, the institution has agreed to pay over $75 million to the U.S. government to settle investigations concerning anti-Semitism on its campus.
Reportedly, millions in federal research funds will be returned to universities in the Chicago area, according to the Associated Press.
The administration had put a hold on $790 million in grants to Northwestern amidst a standoff that resulted in layoffs and the resignation of president Michael Schill last September, as stated by the news agency.
The administration argued that the university hadn’t taken sufficient steps to address anti-Semitism during months of protests by pro-Palestinian groups related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As detailed by the Associated Press:
Under the agreement revealed late Friday, Northwestern will make payments to the U.S. Treasury over the next three years. The deal also requires the university to renounce the Deering Meadows Agreement, which pro-Palestinian protesters had signed in April 2024 to end tent encampments on campus.
A Jewish group criticized the Deering arrangement, which involved re-establishing an advisory committee focused on university investments in Israel. They argued that the university had succumbed to mob pressures, and many Jewish students felt unsafe on campus.
The president aims to leverage federal research funding to drive changes at top universities he sees as overly influenced by “woke” ideology. This agreement with Northwestern tackles several issues central to President Trump’s agenda.
According to the Associated Press:
The agreement also stipulates that Northwestern must uphold its Title IX obligations, ensuring compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, developing training for “interacting with international students” based on campus norms for open debate, and ensuring “safe and fair opportunities for women.” This means offering same-sex housing for women by gender, along with opportunities for those requesting such arrangements, and having women-only sports, locker rooms, and shower facilities.
With this payout, Northwestern ranks second in terms of payments made in similar agreements; Columbia had previously agreed to a $200 million settlement in July. Brown and Cornell universities also reached settlements with the administration.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon commented that this agreement outlines important policy changes aimed at protecting campus individuals from harassment and discrimination.
“This reform exemplifies strong leadership at Northwestern University and provides a framework for academic leaders nationwide to rebuild public trust in our educational institutions,” McMahon stated.
