Introduction to the Protest
Northwestern University students and faculty on Thursday protested President Donald Trump’s attacks on higher education — and demanded that their university leaders stand up for academic freedom, the institution’s independence and for the safety of international students.
Concerns of International Students
“I’m an international Ph.D. student on a visa, so every night before bed, I go through the mental list of my students, friends and colleagues to make sure I’ve heard from all of them that day because I know that on any given day they could be abducted in broad daylight for reasons that vary from jaywalking to expressing their political views in an op-ed,” said Micol Bez, a graduate student organizer studying philosophy and comparative literature.
Over the past week, federal officials have ended the legal immigration status of more than 1,000 international students without due process or explanation, according to multiple news outlets tracking the terminations. Students at campuses across Illinois have been affected.
Demands from the Students
Addressing a crowd on Deering Meadow at the Evanston campus, Bez called on Northwestern leaders to protect international students by shielding their personal information and records, by maintaining graduate students’ enrollment regardless of visa status and by providing legal and institutional resources to support students who are the most vulnerable.
The rally was organized by the graduate student workers union as part of a national Day of Action for Higher Education at campuses across the country. The union is also asking administrators to stop cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and to stand up for trans rights.
Response from the University
In response to the students’ demands, Northwestern spokesperson Jon Yates said the university encourages free speech and that officials are monitoring the impacts of federal actions.
Trump’s Campaign Against Higher Education
Background
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly tried to control campus policies and teaching at Northwestern and at several other wealthy universities by threatening to withhold federal funding.
Actions by Northwestern
For weeks, Northwestern officials responded by taking steps to comply with the president’s executive orders banning diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. They took down websites like the page for the campus women’s and LGBTQ+ centers, despite faculty members urging non-cooperation with Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-LGBTQ demands.
Northwestern leaders also rolled out several measures in response to demands from conservative members of Congress and Trump that the college do more to combat antisemitism, including requiring an anti-bias training for undergraduates that some faculty found problematic.
Despite these efforts, federal officials said last week they were withholding $790 million in federal funding for the school. Northwestern receives just over $1 billion in research funding each year, according to a 2024 audited financial report.
Conclusion
The protest by Northwestern students and faculty against Trump’s campaign against higher education highlights the importance of academic freedom, institutional independence, and the safety of international students. The university’s response to the students’ demands and the federal funding cuts will be crucial in determining the future of higher education at Northwestern.
FAQs
- What are the main demands of the Northwestern students and faculty?
The students and faculty are demanding that the university protect international students, stop cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and stand up for trans rights. - How has Northwestern responded to Trump’s executive orders?
Northwestern officials have taken steps to comply with the president’s executive orders banning diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, but some faculty members have urged non-cooperation. - What is the impact of the federal funding cuts on Northwestern?
The federal funding cuts will withhold $790 million in federal funding for the school, which receives just over $1 billion in research funding each year. - What is the significance of the protest?
The protest highlights the importance of academic freedom, institutional independence, and the safety of international students, and will determine the future of higher education at Northwestern.
