Northwestern University has reached a significant $75 million settlement with the US government, a move that will conclude a series of federal investigations and restore hundreds of millions in crucial research funding.
The High-Stakes Agreement
The agreement, announced on a Friday night, resolves a standoff with the Trump administration, which had previously cut off a substantial $790 million in federal grants. This funding freeze was a direct factor in university layoffs and the resignation of President Michael Schill in September. Federal officials had argued that the prestigious institution, located in Evanston, Illinois, had not done enough to combat antisemitism on its campus.
Under the terms of the deal, Northwestern will make the $75 million payment to the US Treasury over the next three years. The university has also committed to revoking the 'Deering Meadow agreement', a pact signed in April 2024 with pro-Palestinian protesters which led to the dismantling of a tent encampment.
Protecting Institutional Autonomy
During the tense negotiations, the university's interim president, Henry Bienen, stood firm on protecting the institution's core independence. He stated that Northwestern refused to cede control over fundamental areas like hiring, admissions, or its curriculum. "I would not have signed this agreement without provisions ensuring that is the case," Bienen affirmed.
The settlement also mandates that the university continues its compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, it must develop training materials to help "socialize international students" with the norms of a campus dedicated to open debate. A significant commitment to Title IX is also included, requiring the university to provide "safe and fair opportunities for women, including single-sex housing for any woman... and all-female sports, locker rooms, and showering facilities".
A Roadmap for Other Institutions
US Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, praised the agreement, stating that it solidifies policy changes designed to protect people on campus from harassment and discrimination. "The reforms reflect bold leadership at Northwestern and they are a roadmap for institutional leaders around the country that will help rebuild public trust in our colleges and universities," McMahon said.
This case is part of a broader pattern where the Trump administration has leveraged control of federal research money to push for reforms at elite colleges, which it has criticised as being overrun by "woke" ideology. The fine agreed to by Northwestern is the second-largest of its kind, trailing only behind Columbia University, which agreed in July to pay $200m to resolve similar investigations. Other institutions, including Brown and Cornell, have also reached agreements with the government.
Meanwhile, Harvard University, considered the administration's primary target, remains in negotiations. The Ivy League school had previously sued over the funding cuts and won a court victory in September when a federal judge ordered the government to restore its funding, accusing the administration of using "antisemitism as a smokescreen".
