On Saturday, the embattled President of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, announced her resignation following widespread backlash to her handling of widespread anti-Semitism on campus.
As reported by The Hill, Magill and two other university presidents testified before Congress on Tuesday regarding the trend, which has seen a spike in anti-Semitic protests, riots, and targeting of Jewish students and groups following the October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel. Magill’s performance during the hearing was especially criticized, after she said that “context” would need to be provided to determine if comments advocating for genocide of Jews could be considered “harassment” by the university.
Following her testimony, there were even greater calls for her to resign from alumni, politicians, and others.
“President Liz Magill’s actions in front of Congress were an embarrassment to the university, its student body, and its vast network of proud alumni,” said Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-Penn.) on X, formerly known as Twitter. “She has shown the entire world that she is either incapable or unwilling to combat antisemitism on the university’s campus and take care of its student body.”
Even the state’s Democratic Governor, Josh Shapiro (D-Penn.), called on the university’s board of trustees to hold a meeting to discuss the future of Magill’s tenure as president.
The backlash even led to the university losing out on a $100 million donation. Other longtime donors to the university, such as former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, announced full withdrawals of financial support. Even the university’s world-renowned Wharton Business School demanded Magill’s resignation in a statement on Friday.
“I write to share that President Liz Magill has voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania,” said Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok in an email statement over the weekend. “She will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law.”
In her own statement, Magill said that “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,” Magill added.
Start the discussion at community.amgreatness.com