Amidst pressure from donors and scrutiny over her testimony during a congressional hearing, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, has resigned. She struggled to assert, under repeated questioning, that calls for the genocide of Jews on campus would violate the school's conduct policy.
In a surprising move, the chairman of the Ivy League school's board of trustees, Scott Bok, also resigned immediately during a trustees meeting on Saturday evening. Bok, a supporter of Magill, had previously defended her through months of criticism over the university's perceived mishandling of antisemitism-related issues.
The announcement of her departure was made on a late Saturday afternoon. The statement mentioned that Magill, currently in her second year as president of the Ivy League school, will retain a tenured faculty position at the university's Carey Law School. She has committed to continue serving as Penn's leader until an interim president is appointed.
Demands for Magill's resignation surged following her Tuesday testimony in a US House committee addressing antisemitism on college campuses, where she shared the stage with the presidents of Harvard University and MIT.
Photo: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Universities nationwide face accusations of not adequately safeguarding Jewish students, particularly amidst global concerns about rising antisemitism and increased scrutiny following Israel's escalated conflict in Gaza, drawing criticism for the growing Palestinian casualties.
The three university presidents were summoned before a committee to respond to these allegations. However, their responses, characterized by legal precision, triggered renewed criticism, particularly in response to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
She repeatedly asked if "calling for the genocide of Jews" would breach Penn's code of conduct. Magill's response acknowledged, "If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment, yes." When pressed further, Magill emphasized, "It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman."
Harvard President Claudine Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth echoed similar responses to Stefanik's questions, a point emphasized by Bok. He noted that Magill's response was a "very unfortunate misstep," aligning with the actions of her counterparts during five hours of intense questioning before a congressional committee.
In a statement on Saturday, Rep. Elise Stefanik described Magill's resignation as the "bare minimum" and urged Harvard and MIT to take similar actions. Stefanik emphasized that Magill's departure marks the beginning of addressing what she perceives as a broader problem of antisemitism impacting esteemed higher education institutions in the United States.
Criticism of Magill poured in from various quarters, including the White House, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, members of Congress, and donors. Ross Stevens, a donor, went as far as threatening to withdraw a $100 million gift, citing concerns about the university's "stance on antisemitism on campus" unless Magill was replaced.
Magill later addressed the criticism, stating in a video that calls for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment or intimidation. She acknowledged the need to "clarify and evaluate" Penn's policies, as she faced earlier scrutiny over the handling of perceived acts of antisemitism.
This involved permitting a Palestinian literary arts festival on its campus in September, featuring speakers whose past statements about Israel had faced accusations of antisemitism.
Earlier on Saturday, New York's governor urged colleges and universities in the state to promptly address instances of antisemitism, specifically emphasizing the need to address any "calls for genocide" on campus.
Governor Kathy Hochul, in a letter to college and university presidents, pledged to enforce violations of the state's Human Rights Law and refer any breaches of federal civil rights law to US officials.
She indicated that calling for genocide or tolerating antisemitism violates codes of conduct on campuses within the State University of New York and City University of New York public college systems, leading to swift disciplinary action. The letter, however, doesn't specify particular incidents, and her office has not yet responded to an email seeking comment.
The chant "Israel, we charge you with genocide," commonly heard at pro-Palestinian rallies, has been falsely portrayed in recent months as advocating "Jewish genocide." Experts and advocates note that the chant is a typical refrain at such events, with both Jewish and Palestinian supporters clarifying that protesters are not expressing a desire for "Jewish genocide."
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., mentioned that Magill's resignation provides an opportunity for Penn to take a new approach in addressing antisemitism on campus. Bok revealed that he was asked to stay on as chairman for the transition to a new president but chose to step down at this juncture.
Scott Bok, chairman of the University of Pennsylvania's board of trustees, described Liz Magill as a good person and talented leader, emphasizing she is not "the slightest bit antisemitic." However, he acknowledged that her legalistic and measured response during the congressional hearing, after months of criticism and lengthy questioning, led to the realization that her position was untenable. Bok and Magill mutually decided it was time for her to step down, a decision announced alongside Bok's own resignation.
The call for Magill's removal intensified after her testimony in the U.S. House committee on antisemitism, where she appeared alongside the presidents of Harvard University and MIT.
(Inputs from other Agencies)
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