Federal Agencies, Northwestern University Reach $75 Million Anti-Discrimination Settlement (Chicago, IL) – The U.S. Departments of Justice, Education and Health and Human Services announced Friday that they have reached a sweeping agreement with Northwestern University requiring major policy changes and a $75 million payment to the federal government.
The settlement closes several pending federal investigations into the Evanston-based university and mandates new measures aimed at preventing discrimination based on race, religion, sex and national origin. Federal officials said the agreement specifically addresses concerns over race-based admissions practices and complaints of a hostile environment for Jewish students.
Under the terms of the deal, Northwestern will pay the federal government $75 million through 2028 and commit to strict compliance with federal civil rights laws. The university must eliminate any preferential treatment based on race, color or national origin in admissions, scholarships, hiring or promotion. It also must adopt and maintain clear policies governing demonstrations, protests, displays and other expressive activity on campus.
In addition, Northwestern will implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty and staff. The university’s president and chair of the board of trustees will be required to certify every quarter—under penalty of perjury—that Northwestern is in full compliance with the agreement.
Federal officials said Northwestern will remain eligible for federal grants, contracts and awards as part of the settlement.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the agreement “another victory in the Trump Administration’s fight to ensure that American educational institutions protect Jewish students and put merit first,” adding that institutions receiving federal funds “are obligated to follow civil rights law.”
Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the university has already taken “significant improvements,” and that the agreement ensures the rights of “all the university’s applicants, students, and employees.”
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the settlement as “a huge win” for Northwestern and a model for campuses nationwide.
“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,” McMahon said.
Northwestern University did not immediately release a statement on the agreement.
Federal Agencies, Northwestern University Reach $75 Million Anti-Discrimination Settlement
