ABC 7: Group faces loss of student status for refusing Northwestern's mandatory training; judge denies TRO
The anti-bias training includes mentions of Israel.
By Eric Horng | Monday, October 20, 2025 10:54PM
As many as 16 people could lose their Northwestern University student status for refusing mandatory anti-bias training, which mentions Israel.
EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Northwestern University says as many as 16 students face the loss of their student status at midnight for refusing that mandatory training, a request to block that action denied by a federal judge.
The students, their attorneys and their supporters left court disappointed but defiant.
"We believe in our claims. We believe in our clients, and we believe that our claims are meritorious and that the courts will agree at the end of the day," said attorney Maria Nieves Bolaños.
A group of students is suing Northwestern, alleging that the school's anti-bias training and policies "prohibit expressions of Palestinian identity" by characterizing "criticism of the state of Israel as antisemitic."
"Certain expressions of national origin are permitted at Northwestern and certain are not, and this policy prohibits a specific expression of national origin," said attorney Rima Kapitan.
The university says at least 16 students have refused the training and now face the loss of their student status at midnight. The plaintiffs sought a temporary restraining order in federal court, but a judge denied that request, finding Northwestern did not engage in discrimination.
In fact, the school's attorneys argued that the training is meant to prevent discrimination and harassment and cited a quote from the training that states "it is not antisemitic to criticize the policies, practices or members of the Israeli government."
The lawsuit comes as the Trump administration has frozen nearly $800 million in federal funding to Northwestern over alleged civil rights violations related to the school's handling of pro-Palestinian encampments in April 2024.
"Rather than stand up for the core mission of higher education, Northwestern has bent its knee to the Trump administration," said Jonah Rubin with Jewish Voices for Peace.
Northwestern declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying it does not speak about pending litigation.