Latest news with #MichaelSchill
CBS News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Northwestern University president Michael Schill returns to Capitol Hill to testify on antisemitism
Northwestern University president Michael Schill is back in the nation's capital Tuesday to testify about antisemitism on campus. Michael Schill will be interviewed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce in a closed-door hearing. He's expected to answer questions around any changes made since a series of reported incidents at pro-Palestinian protests last year. Earlier this summer, a Northwestern spokesperson said reports of antisemitism were down significantly. In April, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding at Northwestern. A group of faculty members recently published an open letter to school leadership asking them not to make a deal with President Trump over the funding freeze, which they said would make the school "complicit in an assault on higher education, which is an essential bulwark of civil society."
CBS News
30-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Northwestern University to cut 425 positions amid budget crisis
Northwestern University announced Tuesday that it is cutting 425 positions amid a significant budget gap. The cuts involve an unspecified number of layoffs. Northwestern President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Amanda Distel told the university community that mounting financial pressures remain a threat to immediate and long-term financial stability. The letter said the university has already taken several measures to address the pressures. Northwestern announced in June that it was implementing a hiring freeze and would not pay out merit bonuses, and would also reduce administrative and academic budgets, likely leading to decreases in staff positions. Also in June, Northwestern announced that it was changing its tuition benefits program and health insurance for its staff and faculty beginning next year. But this was not enough, and the letter said Northwestern could not bridge its budget gap without cutting personnel costs — which account for 56% of expenditures. "Today, the University began the painful process of reducing our budget attributable to staff by about 5%, including layoffs," Northwestern said in a statement. "Of the approximately 425 positions being eliminated across schools and units, nearly half are currently vacant." In April, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding at Northwestern. The freeze affected grants from agencies like defense, agriculture, and health and human services. Northwestern was one of several universities subjected to of what the Department of Education calls "explosions of antisemitism" on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The initial report cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on national origin and applies to schools and institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding.
Chicago Tribune
18-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
University of Chicago faces inquiries from Dept. of Justice on international students
The U.S. Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security have requested information on admissions practices and international students at the University of Chicago. U. of C. disclosed the inquiries in bond issuance documents dated July 11. Bloomberg first reported on the documents Friday. 'There may be prospective investigations or inquiries,' the documents said. 'While the immediate financial impact on the University is not material at this time, these and other developments involving the federal government may, directly or indirectly, have a material adverse effect on the financial profile and operating performance of the University.' A spokesperson for U. of C. declined to comment. The documents provided no additional details on the timeline or subject of potential investigations. The Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Universities across the nation have faced increased scrutiny under the Trump administration, which has cracked down against diversity, equity and inclusion policies, frozen federal research funding and imposed stricter vetting policies on student visas. International students make up 18% of undergraduates at U. of C., and 32% of the total student body, according to the bond documents. 'Limitations on the ability to enroll certain international students or other factors leading to a sizable reduction in the enrollment of students at the University … would have a materially adverse impact on the financial condition of the University,' the documents said. U. of C. is also one of 45 universities under investigation by the Education Department for alleged Title VI violations for a program aimed at increasing the diversity of PhD students. The university relied on $543 million in federal grant funding in 2024, which accounted for 18% of its revenue, according to the bond documents. Several of the school's grants have been pulled by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other organizations, the documents said. Northwestern University has also been targeted by the Trump administration. More than $790 million in federal research funding has been paused while it faces multiple federal probes for alleged civil rights violations against Jewish students. President Michael Schill is slated to testify for the second time before Congress in August.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Northwestern University President Michael Schill to testify before U.S. Congress committee again
Northwestern University President Michael Schill is heading back to Washington, D.C., to testify on Capitol Hill. Schill is set to appear at a U.S. House Committee hearing later this summer on the school's handling of antisemitism on campus. He has been asked to report on progress made since a series of incidents during pro-Palestinian protests. A Northwestern spokesperson said reports of antisemitism are down significantly this year. "The steps we took — including updating our Code of Conduct with clear policies and procedures governing the type of behaviors that are prohibited and the consequences for anyone who engages in them — and the improvements felt on campus are included in our recent Progress Report on Northwestern University Efforts to Combat Antisemitism," a spokesperson wrote. Northwestern was one of several universities subjected to of what the Department of Education calls "explosions of antisemitism" on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The initial report cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on national origin and applies to schools and institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding. In April, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding at Northwestern. The freeze affected grants from agencies like defense, agriculture, and health and human services. Schill also testified before Congress about antisemitism on college campuses in May 2024, a month after a protest encampment had been set up on the Evanston campus of the university and later taken down after a negotiated conclusion.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Actor Steve Carell will be Northwestern University commencement speaker
Steve Carell, award winning actor, writer, and producer, is set to be Northwestern University's commencement speaker for the class of 2025. The ceremony will be held at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, June 15 at 10:30 am. "Steve Carell is an absolute treasure, and I am thrilled he will be our commencement speaker," said President Michael Schill. "Steve is such a versatile actor, who brings humor and humanity to every role, from 'The Office' to 'The Morning Show' and his recent work on Broadway. I cannot wait to hear him address our Class of 2025." Carell will also be receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts at the ceremony. "I'm thrilled to be speaking at Northwestern's commencement this year," Carell said in a statement. "My speech's theme will be 'The Importance of Lowering Expectations,' which for these graduates, should start with my speech." Northwestern's 167th commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on Northwestern's Graduation Weekend 2024 website.
