Two high‑profile institutional flashpoints underscore the widening interaction between federal policy and campus operations: Northwestern is reportedly close to terms to resolve a dispute with the White House that would include a $75 million fine and restoration of research funding, while Duke administrators instructed faculty to route institutional commentary through central communications amid federal scrutiny and investigations. Northwestern’s reported agreement aims to settle pressure campaigns tied to research collaborations and national‑security concerns; Duke’s internal media guidance reflects institutional attempts to manage narratives as federal probes intensify. Research offices, communications teams and legal counsel should coordinate tightly: settlements can restore funding but often impose compliance conditions, and centralized messaging strategies can protect institutions but risk faculty relations if not transparently implemented.