Northwestern University President to Resign

Introduction to the Resignation

Northwestern University President Michael Schill said Thursday that he will resign, ending a three-year tenure marked by the freeze of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding by the Trump administration and heated criticism from House Republicans over the university’s response to campus protests.
The funding freeze and uncertainty over its finances contributed to Northwestern’s decision to lay off around 200 people over the summer.
In a statement announcing his resignation, Schill acknowledged the pressure from the White House.

Protecting the University’s Mission

“It is critical that we continue to protect the University’s research mission and excellence while preserving academic freedom, integrity, and independence,” he said.
Northwestern emerged as a prominent target of President Donald Trump’s campaign to reshape elite colleges he has derided as hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. In April, the administration froze $790 million in federal funding for the private school in Evanston, Illinois, one of dozens of colleges under investigation over claims they did not do enough to protect Jewish students.

Campus Protests and Funding Freeze

During the wave of pro-Palestinian protests in spring 2024, Northwestern drew ire from conservatives over an agreement it struck with demonstrators to take down their encampment. In exchange, Northwestern pledged to reestablish an advisory committee on university investments and made other commitments.
Schill defended the arrangement during an appearance in May 2024 before a House committee investigating campus antisemitism.
“We had to get the encampment down,” Schill said. “The police solution was not going to be available to us to keep people safe, and also may not be the wisest solution as we’ve seen at other campuses across the country.”

Characterization of Protests

Supporters of Israel and the administration officials have framed the protests at Northwestern and other schools as antisemitic and “pro-Hamas.” But people involved in the demonstrations reject that characterization. They say advocating for Palestinian human rights and territorial claims, or criticizing Israeli military action, is not antisemitic.

Hazing Scandal

Schill also navigated the fallout from a hazing scandal that broke not long after he was named Northwestern’s president in August 2022. Former football players filed lawsuits in 2023 alleging sexual abuse and racial discrimination on the team, and similar allegations then spread across several sports.
Northwestern’s football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, was initially suspended then later fired after an investigation. The school concluded he had a responsibility to know that hazing was occurring and should have stopped it. Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and filed a lawsuit that ended with a settlement last month.

Transition and Future Plans

Schill will continue as president until an interim leader is chosen and will return from a sabbatical as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, the school said. He also will work with the Board of Trustees on efforts to restore the university’s frozen federal funding, Northwestern said.

By ANNIE MA, Associated Press

Conclusion

The resignation of Northwestern University President Michael Schill marks the end of a tumultuous period for the institution, characterized by funding freezes, campus protests, and a hazing scandal. As the university moves forward, it will be crucial to address these challenges while preserving academic freedom and excellence.

FAQs

Q: Why is Northwestern University President Michael Schill resigning?
A: Schill is resigning due to pressure from the White House and the challenges faced by the university, including a funding freeze and criticism over its response to campus protests.
Q: What was the funding freeze about?
A: The Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding for Northwestern University in April, citing claims that the university did not do enough to protect Jewish students.
Q: What were the campus protests about?
A: The protests were related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which some characterized as antisemitic, while others argued that advocating for Palestinian human rights is not antisemitic.
Q: What is the current status of the hazing scandal?
A: The scandal led to the firing of Northwestern’s football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, and the university has since settled a lawsuit related to the allegations.
Q: What are Schill’s plans after his resignation?
A: Schill will continue as president until an interim leader is chosen and will then return as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, working to restore the university’s frozen federal funding.
Originally Published: September 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM EDT
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