The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reached an agreement with Northwestern University to safeguard its students, employees, and faculty from unlawful discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin, including race-based admissions practices and a hostile educational environment directed toward Jewish students.
Northwestern University will pay $75 million to the United States through 2028.
Northwestern agrees to adhere to federal anti-discrimination laws, ensuring that the university does not prefer individuals based on race, color, or national origin in admissions, scholarships, hiring, or promotion.
“Today’s settlement marks another victory in the Trump Administration’s fight to ensure that American educational institutions protect Jewish students and put merit first,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Institutions that accept federal funds are obligated to follow civil rights law — we are grateful to Northwestern for negotiating this historic deal.”
Northwestern’s President and Chair of the Board of Trustees shall each certify under penalty of perjury each quarter the university’s full compliance with the agreement. The United States shall close pending investigations and treat Northwestern as eligible for future grants, contracts, and awards.
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
— Matthew Eadie (@mattheweadie22) November 29, 2025
Full statement from NU below: pic.twitter.com/kBRyQssOKH
The Northwestern agreement is a huge win for current and future Northwestern students, alumni, faculty, and for the future of American higher education. The deal cements policy changes that will protect students and other members of the campus from harassment and discrimination,…
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) November 29, 2025
“Universities that receive federal funding have a responsibility to comply with the law, including protecting against racial discrimination and antisemitism,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate the significant improvements Northwestern has made and are gratified to reach an agreement that safeguards of rights of all the university’s applicants, students, and employees.”
Northwestern shall maintain clear policies and procedures relating to demonstrations, protests, displays, and other expressive activities, as well as implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff.
“The Northwestern agreement is a huge win for current and future Northwestern students, alumni, faculty, and for the future of American higher education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The deal cements policy changes that ‘will protect students and other members of the campus from harassment and discrimination,’ and it recommits the school to merit-based hiring and admissions. The reforms reflect bold leadership at Northwestern, and they are a roadmap for institutional leaders around the country that will help rebuild public trust in our colleges and universities. Congrats to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and all those involved in negotiating this landmark deal!”
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