Leo XIII ultimately settled the case by transferring Schroeder to the University of Münster in December 1897. Meanwhile, financial issues arose after the 1897-1898 school year left the university with a balance of only $3,000.
Joseph Schroeder, who they believed had a role in Bishop Keane's removal. In October 1897, Conaty asked the Board of Trustees to remove Schroeder in order to restore peace among the faculty; after a heated discussion between liberal and conservative members, the board decided to directly refer the issue to the pope but still recommended that Schroeder be removed.