Saudi connections are coming under mounting scrutiny

BOSTON — U.S. colleges and universities have received more than $350 million from the Saudi government this decade, yet some are rethinking their arrangements in the wake of the killing of a journalist that has ignited a global uproar against the oil-rich nation.

The Associated Press analyzed federal data and found that at least $354 million from the Saudi government or institutions it controls has flowed to 37 American schools since 2011. Much of the money was provided through a scholarship program that covers tuition for Saudis studying in the U.S., but at least $62 million came through contracts or gifts from the kingdom’s nationally owned companies and research institutes, the AP found.

Those benefiting the most from Saudi contracts include Northwestern University, which has received $14 million from a top Saudi research center since 2011, and UCLA, which accepted $6 million from the same institute, known as the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, Saudi Aramco, has channeled $20 million to American universities, including $9 million to Texas A&M University and $4 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A national chemical company known as SABIC steered another $8 million to U.S. schools.

Although some of the contracts halted before last year, questions surrounding Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi’s death at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul have spurred some schools to reconsider current or future deals.

On Oct. 22, MIT announced it will undertake a “swift, thorough reassessment” of the institute’s partnerships with Saudi Arabia, calling Khashoggi’s disappearance a “grave concern.” Richard Lester, an associate provost, said faculty who work with the kingdom can “make their own determinations as to the best path forward.”

At Babson College near Boston, which has received $2.5 million through a contract with the SABIC chemical company, officials told the AP they are “monitoring events closely and gathering input from our community regarding potential paths forward.”

But many other schools have given no indications they’re reconsidering ties.

Officials at UC Berkeley said they are not reviewing their Saudi funding, which includes a $6 million contract to develop nano-materials that can be used to support renewable energy.

Northwestern University refused to say whether any of its funding is under review. Spokesman Bob Rowley said only that the “vast majority” of the $14 million is for science grants but did not respond to further questions.

Others including Tufts University and the University of Michigan would not answer questions about their Saudi funding.