Northwestern University to Pay $75 Million to Resolve Antisemitism Investigation
Settlement to Restore Federal Funds
Northwestern University has entered into a settlement with the Trump administration, agreeing to pay $75 million over the next three years to conclude an investigation into allegations of antisemitism on campus. This agreement marks a significant resolution to a dispute that led to approximately $790 million in federal funds being frozen since April 2025.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi praised the settlement, stating that it represents a win in the administration’s objective to ensure educational institutions uphold the rights of Jewish students. “Institutions that accept federal funds are obligated to follow civil rights law,” she noted. Following the settlement, Northwestern anticipates that the frozen federal funds will be fully restored within 30 days.
Terms of the Agreement
In conjunction with the financial settlement, Northwestern University has committed to a series of actions aimed at improving campus culture. The university will undertake a review of its international admissions process and provide training for international students to familiarize them with the campus’s expectations and norms. The agreement also ensures continuous protection for Jewish community members.
Henry Bienen, Northwestern’s Interim President, emphasized that the university maintained its autonomy in key operational areas. “We would not relinquish any control over whom we hire, whom we admit as students, what our faculty teach or how our faculty teach,” he stated, asserting that the university would continue to govern itself independently.
Reactions from Faculty and Administrative Impact
In August, a coalition of faculty members expressed concern regarding the negotiations with the Trump administration, urging university leadership not to concede to what they characterized as coercive tactics. They expressed that capitulating could jeopardize the integrity of higher education.
The federal funding freeze has resulted in financial strain for Northwestern, prompting layoffs, hiring freezes, and other budgetary adjustments. The previous President of the university, Michael Schill, resigned in September amid these financial challenges and the ongoing investigation.
Broader Context of Settlements in Higher Education
Northwestern’s settlement is part of a wider trend, as numerous universities have faced similar investigations and have reached agreements with the Trump administration regarding antisemitism and broader discrimination claims. Columbia University, for example, settled for $200 million, while Cornell University agreed to a $30 million payment alongside additional commitments to agricultural research. Other institutions, such as Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, have also engaged in negotiations to restore federal funding amid similar controversies.
These settlements indicate a significant shift in how federal funding is linked to compliance with civil rights regulations in higher education, placing increased pressure on universities to address concerns related to discrimination and student safety.
For those interested in booking accommodations during visits to educational institutions, you can book hotels for a convenient stay.