House
published : 2023-12-10
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill Resigns Amid Controversy
Rep. Elise Stefanik applauds resignation, calls for further action
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned after facing criticism for her statements about antisemitism on campus.
Her resignation comes days after her appearance at a Congressional hearing where she failed to provide a clear answer to a question from Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Stefanik, a representative from New York, praised Magill's resignation and called for further action against antisemitism in higher education.
"One down. Two to go," Stefanik posted on X Saturday, indicating that Magill's resignation is just the beginning of addressing the issue.
Stefanik also urged Harvard and MIT to take appropriate measures, emphasizing that the world is watching.
The controversy surrounding Magill's testimony stems from her inability to answer Stefanik's question about whether calls for the genocide of Jews would violate university conduct.
Magill's response, stating that it would depend on the context, sparked criticism and led to further scrutiny.
Following her resignation, the Board of Trustees Chairman, Scott L. Bok, confirmed Magill's voluntary resignation. However, she will continue as a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law.
The controversy's impact goes beyond Magill's resignation as a major donor has withdrawn a $100 million donation to the university following her testimony before Congress.
The hearings, held to investigate antisemitism on college campuses, have brought attention to the responses of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Stefanik's persistence in seeking a clear answer from Magill reflects the seriousness of the issue and the need for accountability.
This development has sparked nationwide interest and leaves observers anticipating the next steps in addressing antisemitism in higher education.