Latest news with #MichaelSchill
CBS News
2 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Northwestern launches mental health research institute fueled by $25 million donation
CHICAGO — Northwestern University is launching a new research institute to study young adults' mental health, made possible by a $25 million donation from an anonymous donor. The Institute for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being will bring together researchers across various fields from psychiatry and neurobiology to communication studies and social policy. Housed in the psychology department at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the institute will work to translate findings into wellness programs that directly benefit Northwestern students and 'beyond,' according to a news release. The launch comes as mental health challenges for teenagers and young adults have continued to increase over the last decade. A 2023 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 40% of American high school students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. This initiative aims to directly address this issue by uniting researchers across the university to advance research on the mental and emotional health of young adults during a 'critical stage of brain development,' according to the news release. 'Conducting research that leads to better health outcomes and caring for the well-being of our students are two of our University's most important priorities,' Northwestern President Michael Schill said in the release. 'This transformative gift will enable us to further both of these vital pursuits, driving new discoveries that support the needs of our students and young people globally.' The institute will partner with the university's Division of Student Affairs, enabling researchers to study student mental health while providing staff with the latest insights to implement new mental health programming. 'College students nationwide have shown a growing need for mental health support, and we are finding that the same is true of our students here at Northwestern,' Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis said in the release. 'I am eager to partner with our expert faculty to develop new resources that will better serve our student community.' The donor's gift will also fund student programs, helping translate the latest findings in mental health research into support for Northwestern students. Recognizing the challenges young adults face, the donor stressed the 'urgent' need to support their well-being, believing Northwestern to be well-equipped to make a substantial difference in this area.
