Liz Magill's tenure as President of the University of Pennsylvania came to an end due to a series of contentious events that sparked controversy and criticism. Here are the four key moments that ultimately led to her resignation:
Moment 1: The Palestinian Writing Festival Controversy
Magill's resignation is set to occur in September. The Palestinian Writing Literary Festival, scheduled for September 22-24, had already generated controversy before it even started. While students from Penn and the local Philadelphia area participated in organizing and volunteering for the event, the festival was not behalf of the students, and the invited speakers raised eyebrows due to controversial past statements.
Magill and Payne found themselves embroiled in a storm of criticism from prominent donors and the Anti-Defamation League, with some accusing the guest speakers of making antisemitic remarks, a claim acknowledged but disputed by event organizers and participants.
Despite issuing a statement in advance of the festival condemning antisemitism, the university remained resolute in upholding free speech on campus. However, donor displeasure escalated in the weeks following the event, leading to increasing tensions against Magill and her administration.
Moment 2: The Hamas Attack
Tensions further intensified in October, after Hamas launched attacks on Israel. Critics lashed out at Magill and Payne, who faced calls for Magill's resignation from wealthy donors like Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management. Rowan, a significant university benefactor, urged other donors to withhold their support.
Rowan argued that his objections were not based on Payne's role as festival host but rather her failure to publicly condemn it. On October 12, the University of Pennsylvania leadership expressed their shock and dismay over the Hamas attacks and their devastating consequences.
Magill attempted to distance the university further from the festival, stating that the university should have more quickly condemned the speakers' views. In a subsequent statement, she acknowledged the pain felt by the Jewish community due to the presence of these speakers on campus.
However, the Jewish community deemed Magill's response inadequate, leadings to prominent donors like the former U.S. ambassador Jon Huntsman threatening to withdraw their support. Ronald Lauder, another major financier, hinted at withdrawing funding unless stronger action against antisemitism was taken.
Moment 3: The Rise of Antisemitism on Campus
Antisemitic incidents on Penn's campus and across US universities increased as tensions surrounding Hamas attacks and Israel's threats of war escalated in Gaza. In October, Magill issued a statement to calm nerves on campus, expressing her opposition to hate speech and affirming the importance of respect between communities.
Magill announced an anti-Semitism action plan for Penn. However, the announcement came amid a week of joint investigations by the Penn police and the FBI into a series of threatening antisemitic emails and obscene messages that had been sent to university staff.
Shortly after, the Brandeis Center – a Jewish civil rights organization – lodged a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that the University of Pennsylvania created a hostile environment for Jewish students and failed to properly address their harassment.
In late November, a congressional education and workforce committee convened to examine the rising trend of antisemitism on US campuses, with Magill and the presidents of MIT and Harvard invited to provide testimony.
Moment 4: The Witness on the Hill Incident
Magill and other university leaders were heavily criticized for their response to Representative Elise Stefanik's questioning during a December 5 hearing on campus antisemitism. Stefanik asked them whether calls for genocide against Jews, under certain circumstances, violated university conduct codes related to mobbing or harassment.
None of the university leaders provided a direct answer, instead arguing that the context and behavior in question mattered. Their replies were widely criticized as ambiguous and potentially tacitly supporting antisemitic rhetoric.
Prominent criticism soon followed. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro labeled Magill's comments as unacceptable and shameful, expressing concern over the university's values and integrity. Several days later, Magill attempted to clarify her remarks, arguing that the focus should be on the undeniable fact that calls for genocide are inherently evil.
However, critics remained unimpressed, with Ross Stevens, CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings, threatening to take action that would make it harder for Magill to stay as president. Wharton Advisory Council, a powerful group of business leaders, called for her immediate ouster.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, accused Magill of simulating a hostage video and demanded her resignation. A bipartisan group of more than 70 congressional representatives sent letters to Harvard, MIT, and Penn's trustees, urging the removal of Magill and her colleagues at the other two institutions.
In response, the board convened an emergency meeting but ultimately decided to keep Magill as president. However, her tenure was short-lived, as Magill and Board Chair Scott Bok both stepped down just a few days later.
[1] Xu, E. (2023, December 7). University of Pennsylvania president resigns amid anti-Semitism controversy, escalating tensions. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/07/us/university-of-pennsylvania-president-resigns/index.html [2] Schoenberger, J. (2023, December 8). University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill Will Resign. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/us/university-of-pennsylvania-president-resign.html [3] Hamill, M. (2023, December 6). Penn president Liz Magill condemns antisemitic emails amid broader campus controversy. The Philadelphia Inquirer. https://www.inquirer.com/education/university-of-pennsylvania-president-liz-magill-antisemitism-20231206.html
