University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and Chair of the Board of Trustees David L. Cohen have resigned following backlash over their handling of an antisemitism hearing. Magill faced criticism for her testimony at a House committee, where she failed to explicitly condemn calls for the genocide of Jews. This sparked outrage among donors, politicians, and lawmakers, leading to demands for her removal. Major donor Robert Stevens threatened to withdraw $100 million in shares if Magill remained as president. The controversy highlighted concerns about the safety of Jewish and Israeli students, teachers, and faculty on college campuses.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York called on colleges and universities in the state to address cases of antisemitism and calls for genocide on campus. She warned that institutions not in compliance with anti-discrimination laws could lose state and federal funding. Hochul also spoke to the chancellors of the State University of New York and City University of New York public college systems, who confirmed that advocating for genocide or tolerating antisemitism violates codes of conduct.
The controversy also brought attention to Harvard President Claudine Gay, who initially suggested that the context determines whether calling for the genocide of Jews violates the university's code of conduct. Magill later clarified her stance, stating that such calls would be considered harassment or intimidation. Governor Hochul announced a review of antisemitism and discrimination policies at the City University of New York, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between criticism of Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights without promoting violence.
The resignation of Liz Magill as UPenn president highlights the ongoing battle against campus antisemitism and the need for transparency, accountability, and a supportive environment for all students. The University of Pennsylvania now faces the challenge of selecting a new president to lead the institution.
The President of the University of Pennsylvania, Amy Gutmann, has also resigned following controversy over the university's response to allegations of genocide in China. Gutmann's resignation comes after pressure from alumni who accused the university of not taking a strong enough stance against antisemitism. The controversy began when Gutmann appointed Wendy Magill, a professor who has been accused of downplaying the genocide in China, to a leadership position. In response to the backlash, Gutmann defended Magill, stating that she is not antisemitic and was exhausted by external attacks. However, this defense was widely criticized. The resignation of Gutmann and Magill's removal from her position highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the university's handling of sensitive issues and the pressure faced by institutions to take a clear stance on human rights abuses.
Penn President Amy Gutmann and Chair of the Board of Trustees David L. Cohen have resigned following backlash over their handling of an antisemitism hearing. Gutmann's resignation comes after criticism of her response to a question about whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate the university's code of conduct. The resignation follows a letter from six members of Congress calling for Gutmann's resignation and a threat from a hedge fund manager to withdraw a $100 million donation. The university will appoint an interim president while details about permanent leadership are finalized. The controversy surrounding Gutmann's leadership has been ongoing, including her handling of an event on campus that featured speakers with a history of antisemitic comments and behavior. The resignation of Gutmann and Cohen comes after they testified before Congress about how they are addressing antisemitism on campus. [08ddd2d6]