US universities have faced pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on pro-Palestine activism.Published On 4 Sep 20254 Sep 2025Northwestern University President Michael Schill has announced he will leave his position, as the school struggles with funding cuts enacted under the administration of United States President Donald Trump.In a statement on Thursday, Schill acknowledged friction with the federal government and said it was the “right time” to pass the reins to a new leader.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“Difficult problems remain,” he wrote, “particularly at the federal level.”But he called on his successor to protect Northwestern, a prestigious university north of Chicago, Illinois, from threats to its academic mission.“It is critical that we continue to protect the University’s research mission and excellence while preserving academic freedom, integrity, and independence,” Schill said.Schill has led the private university for nearly three years. During that time, the school has weathered a scandal in its athletic department over hazing involving sexual abuse and racism.But Northwestern also attracted conservative backlash last year when Schill struck a deal with pro-Palestinian student protesters who were demonstrating against Israel’s war in Gaza.The agreement came in April 2024, as many campuses saw protest encampments erupt on their lawns. Northwestern was no exception.In exchange for dismantling the camp and limiting the duration of the protests, Schill agreed to re-establish an advisory committee to review Northwestern’s investments, in a gesture to the students’ calls to divest from Israel.That agreement was held up as a peaceful alternative to police intervention, something other universities had opted for. Other deals with student protesters, including at Johns Hopkins University, quickly followed. Advertisement But Trump has sough …
