Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro has been fielding questions from colleagues from around the country in recent weeks. They want to know more about the National Labor Relations Board’s decision that Northwestern’s scholarship football players are school employees who can unionize. Mr. Schapiro answered them at once in a “Dear Colleague” letter last week that was viewed by The Wall Street Journal. Northwestern sent the April 7 letter to all the presidents of NCAA Division I football schools, according to a Northwestern University spokesman who confirmed its authenticity. Mr. Schapiro conveyed a mix of reassurance and caution about the effort Northwestern is fighting through an appeal to the NLRB. Here’s what he had to say:

The decision applies only to Northwestern for now, but beware.

Mr. Schapiro reassured his colleagues that the March ruling by NLRB Regional Director Peter Ohr applies only to Northwestern. But he warned that could change if the NLRB’s board in Washington declines to review Northwestern’s appeal or sides with the regional director.