ADL, StandWithUs and Brandeis Center Call for the Resignation of Northwestern University President Michael Schill

(Chicago, Ill., April 30, 2024) – ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) Midwest, StandWithUs, and The Louis D Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law today called for the resignation of Northwestern University President Michael Schill in response to the reprehensible and dangerous agreement reached between President Schill and leaders of the university’s encampment protest:

“As the three leading organizations in the United States holding colleges and universities accountable for creating hostile environments for Jewish students, we are shocked and dismayed by the agreement Northwestern University President Michael Schill reached on behalf of Northwestern University with encampment protestors yesterday.

“For the last seven months – and longer – Jewish Northwestern students have been harassed and intimated by blatant antisemitism on campus, worsening since October 7. On April 29, 2024, President Schill signed an agreement with the perpetrators of that harassment and intimidation, rewarding them for their hate.

“For days, protestors openly mocked and violated Northwestern’s codes of conduct and policies by erecting an encampment in which they fanned the flames of antisemitism and wreaked havoc on the entire university community. Their goal was not to find peace, but to make Jewish students feel unsafe on campus. Rather than hold them accountable – as he pledged he would – President Schill gave them a seat at the table and normalized their hatred against Jewish students.

“It is clear from President Schill’s actions that he is unfit to lead Northwestern and must resign. 

“President Schill capitulated to hatred and bigotry and empowered and emboldened those who have used intimidation, harassment, and violence to achieve their ends. Instead of issuing fines and suspensions in accordance with university policies, he awarded protest groups with scholarships, professorships, and a renovated community home. Instead of permanently shutting down the encampment and making campus safe for all, he told protesters they can stay until June 1. Instead of reaffirming a longstanding university policy rejecting the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, he created new pathways to its implementation. And instead of holding the perpetrators accountable, he committed Northwestern to actively defend, protect and shield students from anyone else, such as potential future employers, who may choose to hold the protestors accountable for their harassing and discriminatory conduct.

“A prestigious institution that is supposed to be preparing our students for the future catastrophically failed to teach responsibility, respect for community values, and the fundamental principle that no one is above the law, regardless of how deeply or passionately they believe in their own cause.

“We call on President Schill to resign immediately and trust that, if he fails to resign, the Board of Trustees will step in as the leaders the University needs and remove him.”

About:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is an independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit corporation established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. LDB engages in research, education, and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses, in the workplace, and elsewhere. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights and educates administrators and employers on best practices to combat racism and anti-Semitism.

StandWithUs is an international, nonprofit, and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and programs throughout the U.S., Israel, the UK, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Australia and the Netherlands.