Northwestern University President Michael Schill resigns
Share and Follow

Michael Schill, the president of Northwestern University, has stepped down after a challenging period characterized by a hazing incident, demands for his resignation due to campus antisemitism, and the freezing of nearly $800 million in funds by the Trump administration.

In a letter to the university community announcing his resignation on Thursday, Schill referred to the “extraordinary challenges” faced during his three-year leadership. He highlighted the “significant progress” achieved, while also admitting that “difficult problems remain, particularly at the federal level.”

In April, the Trump administration declared a freeze on $790 million in federal research funding, citing allegations of antisemitic discrimination and harassment on the university’s campus in Evanston, Illinois.

“The money was frozen in connection with several ongoing, credible, and concerning Title VI investigations,” a Trump admin official told Fox News at the time.

By July, the university announced it would cut about 425 jobs in a step it called “the most painful measure we have had to take.”

Northwestern’s campus was the site of widespread anti-Israel protests last spring, where students set up tents and demanded the university divest from any companies with ties to the Jewish state.

Schill, along with the leaders of Rutgers University and UCLA, faced a grilling from House Republicans — and some Democrats — on a House education panel last May.

“These antisemitic protests have led to hijacking buildings, erecting unlawful encampments, disrupting classrooms, and canceling commencements,” House Education and Workforce Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said in her opening remarks.

During a series of tense exchanges, panel members, including House Republican conference chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), ripped Schill for receiving an “F” grade in fighting antisemitism from the Anti-Defamation League, which has called for his ouster.

Schill acknowledged the school gave in to the protesters’ demands, including fully funding several visiting Palestinian faculty and students and carving out faculty posts for Palestinian academics, which was done without fully consulting the school’s Board of Trustees, Jewish undergrads or an advisory committee on combating antisemitism.

In the wake of the concessions, seven members of the advisory committee resigned in protest.

That same month, three Northwestern students filed a lawsuit alleging the school had failed to protect Jewish students.

Another black eye on Schill’s presidency came in July 2023, when Northwestern meted out a two-week suspension and then fired longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald over allegations of hazing in the program.

The slap-on-the-wrist suspension became permanent when former players revealed details of the alleged hazing in the student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, prompting Schill to admit he “erred” in his judgment.

Fitzgerald filed a $130 million wrongful termination suit against the school, which was settled last month under undisclosed terms. His agent reportedly said he and the fired coach were “very, very satisfied” with the outcome, the New York Times reported.

“The Trump Administration looks forward to working with the new leadership, and we hope they seize this opportunity to Make Northwestern Great Again,” White House deputy press secretary Liz Huston told The Post via email.

Northwestern says it will soon choose an interim replacement for Schill, who will continue in his role until a successor is named before going on sabbatical and returning to teach and conduct research as a faculty member at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

“He will also continue to work with the Board of Trustees on efforts to get the University’s frozen federal funding restored,” the university said in a statement.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump doesn't let shutdown interfere with celebrating Navy's 250th anniversary at rally-like event

Trump Celebrates Navy’s 250th Anniversary at Lively Event Despite Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump is marking the Navy’s 250th anniversary by joining a…
Blue metros on the brink: 1 in 3 homes cut in desperate bid to sell

Housing Market Struggles in Major Cities: One-Third of Homes Slashed in Price for Quick Sale

Struggling urban areas are issuing significant warnings of a potential housing market…
Trump mocks Al Sharpton's MSNBC show

Trump Ridicules Al Sharpton’s Program on MSNBC

President Donald Trump ridiculed Al Sharpton by sharing an unflattering image of…
Portland police sergeant appears to criticize assault victims for antagonizing anti-ICE protesters

Portland police sergeant appears to criticize assault victims for antagonizing anti-ICE protesters

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An email from a…
Jaxson Dart got first taste of Giants' woeful culture of losing

Jaxson Dart Experiences the Giants’ Struggles with Losing Culture

NEW ORLEANS — The room was packed with players all too familiar…
Inside America's infamous Supermax prison

A Look Inside America’s Most Notorious Supermax Prison

The former warden of America’s most notorious prison has lifted the lid…
Chicago police warn of more armed robberies of businesses in Brighton Park, Jefferson Park, Bucktown, Montclare, West Beverly

Shooting in Montgomery, Alabama: Two dead and twelve injured during a firefight in the downtown area of the state capital

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rival gunmen shot at each other in a crowded…
Mark Sanchez arrested after stabbed during altercation

Mark Sanchez Detained Following Stabbing Incident

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…