Northwestern University agreed to a $75 million settlement with the federal government that restores access to roughly $790 million in research funds but imposes new restrictions on admissions statements, on‑campus expression and protest activity. The agreement requires Northwestern to certify ongoing compliance and curtails use of diversity narratives in admissions appeals. Legal scholars and faculty voiced alarm that the pact cedes institutional judgment on academic freedom and student expression to federal oversight. Critics argue the settlement sets a precedent for federal leverage over university policy; university leaders say the deal was necessary to protect research funding. The case has reignited national debate over federal conditions on grants and the balance between compliance and campus autonomy.