Michael H Schill, president of Northwestern University, has announced his resignation amid fierce Republican criticism and steep federal funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration. The university lost nearly $800m in research funding, forcing it to cut around 425 jobs.
In a message to staff and students, Schill said he believed it was the right time for new leadership, citing the freeze on federal research funds among the challenges faced. His tenure saw clashes with conservative lawmakers over the university's handling of campus protests related to the Gaza conflict.
The Trump administration slashed funding after sustained accusations from Republicans that Northwestern had failed to address antisemitism adequately. A congressional hearing last year saw sharp criticism from GOP members, with some Jewish advocacy groups calling for Schill's resignation.
The university's financial difficulties led to the elimination of approximately 425 positions in July, about half of which were unfilled. Administrators described the layoffs as 'a drastic step' and 'the most painful measure we have had to take'.
Reactions to Schill's resignation were mixed. Michael Blake, a former DNC vice-chair and Northwestern graduate, accused Republicans of pressuring the university over false antisemitism claims while withholding funds for 'Black causes'. Conversely, Republican congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan stated that Schill's legacy was one of failing to deter antisemitism and worsening it.
Schill's departure is part of a broader Republican campaign targeting elite universities, following student protests over the Gaza conflict. The Trump administration has increasingly used freezes on federal research funding as leverage to push institutions toward policy changes, leading several universities to seek settlements to restore funding.
