North Cook News

Mark Albers, President of the Niles Township Republicans, said that the Trump administration is holding universities like Northwestern accountable by prioritizing student success based on merit and character. Albers made his statement to North Cook News.

"The Trump administration is ensuring universities like Northwestern focus on student success through character, merit, and accomplishments, rather than race," said Albers. "This initiative promotes a more equitable and inclusive educational environment, giving all students the chance to thrive. By reinforcing these values, the administration supports a higher education system that celebrates personal potential and diverse perspectives. President Trump is leading efforts to provide fairer academic opportunities for every student."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Trump administration has frozen approximately $790 million in federal funding for Northwestern University amid civil rights investigations. This action also includes more than $1 billion for Cornell University. The suspension affects grants and contracts from several federal departments. Northwestern is under investigation by the Department of Education for widespread antisemitic harassment and by Congress over its law school’s legal clinics potentially engaging in political advocacy. The university has said it has not received official notification but has fully cooperated with the investigations.

In a March 14 post on its website, the Department of Education outlined its Title VI investigations into certain colleges. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened investigations into 45 universities for allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by using racial preferences in graduate programs. OCR is also investigating six universities for race-based scholarships and one for racial segregation in programs. These investigations aim to ensure compliance with civil rights law, emphasizing that student merit should not be prejudged by race. Violations could result in the loss of federal funding.

Albers is a resident of Morton Grove, Illinois, and was appointed as the Niles Township GOP organization's president early in 2024. He has also recently run for Illinois House seat #15. Albers is committed to boosting Republican voter turnout in Niles Township, growing the township's Republican membership, and communicating Republican positions on issues that matter to Niles Township voters.