BREAKING NEWS:

SCHILL RESIGNS -- FORMER PRESIDENT HENRY S. BIENEN NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT

〰️〰️

BREAKING NEWS: SCHILL RESIGNS -- FORMER PRESIDENT HENRY S. BIENEN NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT 〰️〰️

Fighting
Antisemitism at
Northwestern

What is CAAN?

The Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern (CAAN) is a dedicated alliance of thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish stakeholders, including Northwestern students, parents, alumni, faculty, trustees, interfaith partners, government officials, and legal experts. Together we work tirelessly to combat antisemitism, hate and prejudice, championing education and advocacy to promote a safer, more inclusive community.

Share our mission and join us in making a difference.

What is antisemitism?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) defines antisemitism as, “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” The IHRA Definition, along with its 11 clarifying examples, is a definitional tool to identify both classic and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism.

September 4, 2025 Update:
Schill Resigns.

Jump to media coverage of his congressional testimony and resignation.

Official CAAN Statement on Schill’s resignation announcement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAAN Statement on Northwestern University’s Announcement of Leadership Change

September 4, 2025

Following today’s announcement that President Michael Schill has resigned, the Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern (CAAN) encourages the Board of Trustees to take new, concrete steps that return Northwestern to its original mission of academic excellence, integrity, and student safety. CAAN stands ready to partner with the Board to implement a clear plan for reform.

For nearly two years, CAAN has pressed for moral clarity and respect for federal civil rights. President Schill’s resignation comes as Northwestern negotiates with the White House to release $790 million in frozen research funds. Major reforms are critical, and they will not occur without federal oversight. The University’s failures span years and include tolerance of antisemitic activism, foreign influence, and discriminatory practices.

Immediate Board Action Required. To credibly lead reform, the Board must act now:

Sign the Federal Settlement; Restore Research Funding: Execute an enforceable settlement with the U.S. government to close outstanding investigations and unlock frozen federal research funds.
Restructure the Board: Chair Peter Barris should resign immediately. He led the search that installed President Schill and presided over the governance breakdowns that followed. Reduce Board size, adopt term limits, strengthen independence and conflict-of-interest rules.
Exit Qatar Campus and Rescind Deering Meadow Agreement: Formally vote to disaffiliate from Northwestern’s Qatar campus (NU-Q) and execute an exit plan; rescind the Deering Meadow Agreement in full, nullify any concessions that violate Title VI or institutional neutrality, and prohibit future policy changes negotiated outside formal governance channels.

Northwestern’s crisis is multi-dimensional:

The Deering Meadow Agreement legitimized antisemitic demands, as confirmed in congressional materials, and codified them into policy. Faculty and administrators approved discriminatory concessions and failed to protect Jewish students.
Official student clubs, such as JVPNU, co-promoted actions with groups under state investigation and federal suits alleging material support for terrorism.
Northwestern downplayed the U.S. Department of Education’s Title VI investigation and congressional oversight while dramatically increasing lobbying spending instead of correcting course.

The steps are clear, and CAAN can be your partner. Any resolution by the Department of Justice and Department of Education should mandate a full overhaul of leadership (President, Provost, General Counsel, Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, and Student Affairs), independent federal monitoring with enforceable Title VI oversight, a civil rights compliance program that guarantees Jewish student safety and lasting reform, and Board restructuring as outlined above.

What the Next President Must Demonstrate: Northwestern now needs a principled, persuasive leader grounded in Western democratic values and with the moral clarity to confront antisemitism and acknowledge past failures. The next president must be a proven operator with real crisis-management expertise who can stabilize research funding, restore trust with regulators, and communicate transparently with students, parents, and alumni. Above all, they must enforce federal civil rights laws and University policies consistently for everyone, so civil rights, accountability, and student safety come first.

CAAN will be both a constructive partner and a relentless watchdog until Jewish students are safe, Northwestern is independently verified in full Title VI compliance, and the University once again embodies the accountability and integrity its community and the nation expect and deserve.

Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern (CAAN)

June 30, 2025 Update

Schill to return August 5, 2025 to testify before Congress in a “transcribed interview.”

May 6, 2025 Update

CAAN takes 18 Northwestern students to Washington, D.C.

CAAN sends Northwestern students to Washington, D.C. to speak to lawmakers about ongoing antisemitism at Northwestern. Northwestern students Or Yahalom and Max Schlanger speak to CBS, NBC and WGN reporters.

Read how CAAN has been influencing policy and documenting antisemitic activity at Northwestern.

Read Here
CAAN partners with lawmakers, lobbyists, and lawyers to keep Northwestern a safe, discrimination-free campus.

CAAN Legal Work
Make sure to document all examples of antisemitic incidents that you see on and off campus.

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CAAN calls on @NorthwesternU and @NorthwesternPresident Bienen to confront the truth: professors with ties to terror financing have no place in classrooms, and Jewish students deserve safety—not fear. Abusharif’s record, and his continued role at NU-Q, along with visiting Professor Mkhaimar Abusada’s connection with organizations linked to Hamas and the PFLP, highlight Northwestern’s deeper crisis of foreign influence, unchecked antisemitism, and failed accountability. Integrity starts by ending these compromises. We look forward to working with you to return Northwestern to an institution which promotes civil discourse and safety for all. #CAAN #StopAntisemitism #NoHateAtNorthwestern

📢 Leadership Update at Northwestern We warmly welcome back Henry S. Bienen as interim president of @NorthwesternU. With over three decades of dedicated service to this community, @NorthwesternPresident Bienen brings principled leadership, deep experience, and a profound understanding of Northwestern’s values and its people. At this critical and challenging time, his steady hand and insight are exactly what Northwestern needs to help guide the university forward and combat antisemitism and all forms of hate on campus. CAAN is encouraged by this appointment and looks forward to working constructively with President Bienen to ensure Northwestern becomes a campus defined by integrity, accountability, safety, and respect for all members of its community. #CAAN #Northwestern #Bienen #StopAntisemitism #Leadership #StudentSafety #Accountability #Experience #Principles #Commitment

🚨 10 Shocking Revelations from Schill’s Testimony 🚨 Link to full testimony in bio. On Aug. 5, 2025, resigning @NorthwesternU President Michael Schill faced Congress for the 2nd time in 14 months. What emerged was a damning record of failures: no discipline for encampment leaders, contracts with Qatar that gag criticism, professors tied to terror groups, and a provost caught coaching BDS activists. Swipe through for the most disturbing takeaways ➡️ #Northwestern #SchillTestimony #CAAN #EndAntisemitism

🚨BREAKING: President Schill resigns🚨 CAAN is proud to have played a role in holding failed leadership accountable. But let’s be clear: antisemitism at Northwestern does not end with his departure. It remains—and so does our fight. From last spring’s unchecked hate to incidents just two weeks ago, Jewish students and community members continue to be let down. With classes starting soon, the Board of Trustees must act now—not only to name an interim, but to commit to permanent leadership changes that ensure safety, accountability, and a truly hate‑free campus for ALL. We won’t stop until every Wildcat can thrive without fear. #Northwestern #CAAN #EndAntisemitism

Antisemitic Threats Near Former Pro-Terror Encampment at @NorthwesternU. On August 15, 2025, a student, his family and companions faced antisemitic abuse on Sheridan Rd.—steps from Deering Meadow, the site of Spring 2024’s pro-terror encampments. Over a year later, bias and harassment persist at Northwestern and in Evanston, with no meaningful changes or public updates from the University. If you witness or experience hateful acts, report them to the authorities and CAAN. We must take action—silence allows hate to continue. #CAAN #Northwestern #Evanston #Chicago #StopTheHate #EndJewHatred #CombatAntisemtism

CAAN will be watching closely as @NorthwesternPresident Schill returns to Congress on August 5th. After a year of egregious antisemitism, a lack of accountability and consequences, and little progress for Jewish students, we’re eager to see how he’ll defend his actions and the Deering Meadow Agreement. #NoHateAtNorthwestern #StopAntisemitism #Accountability #ProtectJewishStudents

This @DailyNU poll, taken April 20–26, 2025, directly undermines @NorthwesternU‘s recent public claim that antisemitism on campus is “under control“ (University Statement, March 31, 2025). The numbers speak for themselves. Silence and spin are no longer credible responses.

@NorthwesternU students @maxschlanger and @oryahalom_ spoke with Chicago reporters from Washington, D.C., where they joined 16 other Jewish Northwestern students on a CAAN-organized trip to advocate for greater campus safety and ensuring consequences for discrimination, hate and harassment by students and outside agitators. #StopAntisemitism #SafeCampus #CAAN

The U.S. government now requires ALL universities—including Northwestern—to fully disclose every dollar received from foreign sources, or risk losing vital federal funding. Northwestern’s Qatar campus, NU-Q, established through a $602 million partnership with the Qatar Foundation, has long raised concerns about foreign influence, academic freedom, and ties to Al Jazeera—a state-owned media network repeatedly flagged for antisemitism, state propaganda, and ties to terrorist organizations. Some investigations have uncovered rampant extremism and support for terror among NU-Q faculty and students. Northwestern only ended its formal partnership with Al Jazeera in July 2024, after direct Congressional pressure, and quietly did so. This Executive Order is about protecting our campuses from foreign exploitation, propaganda, and national security risks. The Board of Trustees has the power to act now—by ending risky partnerships and ensuring full transparency. It’s time for accountability. CAAN calls on @NorthwesternU and @NorthwesternPresident Schill to immediately disclose all foreign funding and sever ties that threaten academic integrity and campus safety. #YesWeCAAN #TransparencyNow #Northwestern #ForeignInfluence #ProtectOurCampuses #StopAntisemitism

On #YomHaShoah, we remember the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust—a tragedy that must never be forgotten. Holocaust denial, distortion, or revisionism has NO place in our classrooms or our world. Our duty is to teach the next generation the truth, so that antisemitism is never normalized and history is never twisted. Only by facing the facts can we honor those lost and ensure a future built on remembrance, justice, and peaceful coexistence. #NeverForget #NeverAgain #YomHaShoah #CAAN

We should not have to wait over a week for an update on the search for these antisemitic vandals, @NorthwesternU and @NorthwesternPresident Schill. Protect and inform your community…it’s not a difficult ask.

@NorthwesternPresident Schill and @NorthwesternU - “Death to Israel” spray painted on buildings housing Holocaust education and Jewish studies—on the first night of Passover. This was a TARGETED ACT of ANTISEMITIC TERROR, not random vandalism. Northwestern MUST do more than condemn. It must ACT.  Identify the perpetrators. Enforce accountability. Protect Jewish students. #EndJewHatred #Northwestern #Antisemitism #CAAN #JewishSafetyNow

We are beyond thrilled that tonight’s screening of “October H8te” at #NorthwesternUniversity has SOLD OUT. ▪️Arrive EARLY to secure your seat! ▪️Stay for an incredible Q&A with a distinguished panel of guests immediately following the screening. ▪️Check your email for location details. #OctoberH8te #FilmForChange #NeverAgain #NUevents #EndJewHatred

Thank you @tzkhabie for your compelling Op-Ed, urging us to reflect on the catastrophic rise of antisemitism post-October 7th and its impact on our campus. If you’re unsure where you stand on this issue, now is the time to engage. On February 24th, join your fellow Wildcats for a FREE screening of “October H8te,” a documentary that sheds light on the experiences of Jewish college students and the broader implications of hate. Let’s come together as a community to foster understanding and unity, rather than allowing hate to divide us. Click on link in bio to register. Toby’s Op-Ed can also be found online or in print at @TheDailyNU. #StopAntisemitism #EndJewHatred #ProtectPurplePride

Meet the three panelists participating in the Q&A following an exclusive screening of “October H8te” presented by #EndJewHatred at #NorthwesternUniversity on February 24th: ▪️ Wendy Sachs – Director, Northwestern alumna ▪️ Michael Masters – National Director & CEO, Secure Community Network ▪️ Asaf Romirowsky, PhD – Executive Director, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East ▪️ Moderated by Tobias Khabie (Medill ’26) Event Details: ▪️ In-person screening at Northwestern University ▪️ Monday, February 24 | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM ▪️ FREE Admission + Snacks & Refreshments Location details will be emailed upon registration. Seats are limited—Register NOW at the link in @endjewhatred’s or @this.is.northwesternu bio! About the Film: With executive producers including Debra Messing and Wendy Sachs, “October H8te” is a gripping documentary that exposes the rising tide of Jew-hatred in the U.S. following the horrific 10/7 terror attacks. This is a must-watch for students, community members, and anyone seeking to confront antisemitism head-on. #OctoberH8te #FilmForChange #NeverAgain #NUEvents #EndJewHatred

#EndJewHatred is honored to partner with “October H8te” for an exclusive screening at #NorthwesternUniversity on February 24th. About the Film: With executive producers including Debra Messing and Wendy Sachs, “October H8te” is a gripping documentary that exposes the rising tide of Jew-hatred in the U.S. following the horrific 10/7 terror attacks. This is a must-watch for students, community members, and anyone seeking to confront antisemitism head-on. Event Details: ▪️ In-person screening at Northwestern University ▪️ Monday, February 24 | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM ▪️ FREE Admission + Snacks & Refreshments Exclusive Panel Discussion to follow, featuring: ▪️ Wendy Sachs – Director, Northwestern alumna ▪️ Asaf Romirowsky, PhD – Executive Director, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East ▪️ Michael Masters – National Director & CEO, Secure Community Network ▪️ Moderated by Tobias Khabie (Medill ’26) Location details will be emailed upon registration. Seats are limited—Register NOW at the link in @endjewhatred’s or @this.is.northwesternu bio! #OctoberH8te #FilmForChange #NeverAgain #NUevents #EndJewHatred

🚨Northwestern University’s faculty rated amongst worst in USA 🚨 @AMCHA_Initiative ‘s new Anti-Zionist Faculty Barometer gives @NorthwesternU the WORST possible rating of 5 (Extreme). This alarming score reflects key concerns: ⚠️ 76 faculty members boycotting Israel ⚠️ An active Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP) chapter ⚠️ 10 FJP events and statements since October 7, 2023 and anti-Israel statements from 3 departments since 2021 By supporting BDS and aligning with anti-Israel student groups, Northwestern’s FJP chapter directly threatens the safety and well-being of Jewish, Israeli, and all community members. This faculty-driven movement creates a hostile environment, potentially intimidating students and stifling open academic discourse. [Link in profile to AMCHA Initiative’s AZF Barometer and associated links.] #NoFacultyHarm #NoAcademicBDS #StopCampusAntisemitism #ProtectJewishStudents #JewishSafety #SafeCampusForAll #EndJewHatred #StandAgainstAntisemitism #CAAN #AMCHAInitiative #ProtectPurplePride

🚨CAAN co-signs AMCHA Initiative’s bold campaign against faculty antisemitism! 📢 @amcha_initiative’s letter to 170 universities (including @NorthwesternU) exposes the dangers of Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP) chapters: • 7.3x more likely: Physical violence against Jewish students • 3.4x more likely: Threats to Jewish individuals • 2.5x longer: Anti-Israel protests We’re calling on @NorthwesternPresident Schill and all administrators to act now! Protect Jewish students and stop academic BDS. Join us in this crucial fight against faculty-fueled antisemitism! 💪 (Link to AMCHA Initiative’s report in our bio.) #NoFacultyHarm #NoAcademicBDS #StopCampusAntisemitism #CAAN #AMCHAInitiative #JewishSafety #ProtectPurplePride