Northwestern University has agreed to pay $75 million to the U.S. government to resolve a series of federal investigations into its handling of antisemitism on campus, according to the Associated Press. The deal ends a months-long standoff with the Trump administration, which had frozen $790 million in federal research funding to pressure the university into action.
The administration argued that Northwestern failed to adequately address antisemitism during extensive pro-Palestinian protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. The university’s controversial “Deering Meadow agreement,” signed in April 2024 to end a protest encampment, had promised to reestablish an advisory committee on investments tied to Israel. Critics—including prominent Jewish groups—said the move emboldened anti-Israel activists and failed to protect Jewish students.
The settlement not only revokes that agreement but also includes broader policy changes. Northwestern must now comply with strengthened anti-discrimination guidelines, introduce training to “socialize international students” with norms around open campus debate, and reaffirm Title IX protections. This includes maintaining single-sex housing and exclusive access to female-only sports and facilities based on biological sex.
The $75 million payment will be made over three years to the U.S. Treasury. It’s the second-largest settlement of its kind, following Columbia University’s $200 million agreement in July. Similar federal probes have also led to settlements with Brown and Cornell.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised Northwestern’s agreement as a model for other universities. “These reforms reflect bold leadership at Northwestern and they are a roadmap for institutional leaders around the country,” she said.
President Trump has made cracking down on antisemitism and “woke” policies on college campuses a signature initiative. The pressure campaign using federal research dollars appears to be reshaping university governance nationwide.
