The president of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, announced her resignation on Saturday, just days after facing backlash over her congressional testimony on anti-Semitism. The university’s board of trustees also submitted their resignations, with the vice chair, Julie Platt, taking over as interim chair.
In a letter to the school community, board chair Scott Bok stated that Magill’s resignation would take place immediately, with her remaining on as interim president until a new leader is appointed. Bok also announced his own resignation, stating that he believed it was the right time for him to depart.
Magill, who was appointed as president less than a year and a half ago, stated, “It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn’s vital missions.”
These recent developments come after Magill’s congressional testimony on Tuesday, where she and the presidents of Harvard and MIT were questioned about how they are protecting students from anti-Semitism on their campuses. Magill’s answers to the question of whether “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate the university’s code of conduct garnered criticism and calls for her resignation.
In a letter to the board of trustees, six members of Congress from Pennsylvania called for Magill’s resignation, with hedge fund manager Ross Stevens threatening to retract a $100 million donation to the university.
One down.
Two to go.This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most “prestigious” higher education institutions in America.
This forced resignation of the President of @Penn is the bare minimum of what is required.…
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) December 9, 2023
Concerns about Magill’s leadership have been mounting for months, with criticism arising over an event on campus in September that invited speakers with a history of anti-Semitic comments and behaviors. The event, which celebrated Palestinian culture, was also scheduled to end just before the beginning of Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday.
While some, like Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have applauded Magill’s resignation, stating that it is the “bare minimum” of consequences, others have expressed disappointment in how Magill’s leadership has been portrayed. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., who leads the House Education Committee, stated that Magill “chose to equivocate” during her testimony.
On the other side of the spectrum, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., commended Magill’s resignation, stating that the university needs leaders who are able and willing to take a “morally clear” stand against anti-Semitism.
The university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors stated their hopes for the next president to defend the principles of shared governance and academic freedom, which protect the educational mission of the university.
In a letter, Bok came to Magill’s defense, stating that he believes she is a “good person” who is not anti-Semitic. He acknowledged that her answer during her congressional testimony was “wrong” and “made for a dreadful 30-second sound bite,” but he believes she was “over-prepared and over-lawyered.”
The university has yet to announce who will be taking over as interim president or when a replacement for Magill will be appointed. Meanwhile, the debate surrounding anti-Semitism and academic freedom at the University of Pennsylvania continues.
