Northwestern University President Michael Schill will step down, the school announced Monday, amid ongoing scrutiny from the White House and criticism over his handling of antisemitism on campus. The move follows months of pressure stemming from protests and accusations of inadequate responses too alleged harassment and discrimination against Jewish students.
Schill’s departure marks the latest in a series of high-profile university leadership changes spurred by the intensifying national debate over antisemitism and free speech following the October 7 attacks in Israel. The White House has publicly urged universities to combat antisemitism, and Schill faced direct criticism from special envoy Deborah Lipstadt, who expressed concerns about Northwestern’s response to demonstrations and alleged incidents. The university’s board of trustees initiated a no-confidence vote last week, ultimately leading to the agreement for Schill to resign. He will transition to a faculty role.
The controversy at Northwestern began escalating in November with protests and counter-protests following the Hamas attacks. Critics accused the university of failing to adequately protect Jewish students and allowing a unfriendly habitat to fester, citing instances of alleged harassment and antisemitic rhetoric. Schill defended the university’s commitment to free speech while acknowledging the pain and fear experienced by Jewish students.
“This has been a arduous period for our university,” a northwestern spokesperson said in a statement. “We are grateful for President Schill’s service and look forward to a smooth transition.” The university has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a new president. The resignation comes as universities nationwide grapple with balancing free speech principles with the need to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students, especially in the wake of heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
