Northwestern University’s contract with the Qatar Foundation explicitly requires all associated individuals—students, faculty, staff, family, contractors—to comply with Qatari laws and uphold the country’s cultural, religious, and social customs. Courts and scholars highlight that Qatar criminalizes dissent; public criticism of its government, flag, or policies can result in severe penalties.
During an August 5 interview with the House Committee on Education and Workforce, outgoing Northwestern President Michael Schill acknowledged the university must adhere to Qatar’s laws. When pressed whether that includes Qatari censorship regulations, Schill admitted, “I don’t know the answer to that as a legal matter.” He also said he had “no idea” whether Northwestern faculty or students “would be allowed… to publicly criticize the regime.”
This revelation raises serious questions about academic freedom. Qatar’s legal framework has demonstrated censorship: A media manager for the 2022 World Cup received a five‑year prison sentence after voicing concerns about migrant worker treatment. Similarly, a Northwestern Qatari campus student was reportedly arrested over a tweet.
Northwestern first opened its Qatar campus (NU‑Q) in 2008. Qatar has since provided approximately $737 million, funding the Doha campus’s costs and providing limited benefits to the U.S. campus’s programs and endowment.
