Penn President Liz Magill Resigns Following Criticism Over Comments on Campus Antisemitism

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that President Liz Magill has resigned from her post, following intense criticism from the White House, lawmakers, and high-profile alumni over comments she made during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism.

In a letter to the Penn community Saturday, Scott L. Bok, the chair of the Penn Board of Trustees, wrote that Magill had “voluntarily tendered her resignation as President of the University of Pennsylvania.” The resignation comes after days of criticism and pressure from donors, alumni, and Jewish community members following Magill’s comments in a Congressional hearing on campus antisemitism.

The controversy began when Magill testified before the House Judiciary Committee on April 14th, during which she was asked about a recent incident of antisemitism on Penn’s campus. Magill responded that the incident was “not an example of systemic antisemitism.” This statement was met with swift criticism from the White House, lawmakers, and high-profile alumni, who argued that Magill’s comments were dismissive of the issue of antisemitism on campus.

In response to the criticism, Magill issued a statement on April 16th, apologizing for her comments and reaffirming her commitment to fighting antisemitism on campus. However, the damage had already been done, and the university was facing the threat of losing a $100 million donation from a prominent donor.

Magill’s resignation marks the end of her two-year tenure as Penn’s president. The university has yet to announce a replacement for the position. In the meantime, the university will continue to work to combat antisemitism on campus and ensure that all students feel safe and respected.