Magill's turbulent tenure: What we know about Penn president who resigned due to antisemitism row

On December 9th, 2023, Elizabeth Magill, president of University of Pennsylvania, resigned amidst a firestorm of criticism surrounding her handling of antisemitism on campus. 

This unexpected turn of events marked first time a major university president stepped down due to this specific issue, generating significant attention and sparking discussions about free speech, acemic freedom, and responsibility of universities to ensure an inclusive environment for all students.

Here is what you need to know about Magill 

Magill assumed presidency of Penn in July 2022, bringing with her a distinguished career in acemia and law. Before joining Penn, she served as executive vice president and provost at University of Virginia and held position of professor and dean at Stanford Law School. Her legal expertise lies in ministrative and constitutional law, and she holds a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University and a law degree from University of Virginia.

According a report from New York Times, she is an expert on US constitutional law and ministrative law. After gruating from law school, she clerked for numerous judges, including US Supreme Court's famous liberal judge, Justice Ruth Ber Ginsburg.

Controversy didn't begin with Congressional hearings

controversy surrounding Magill's leership began during summer of 2023. This is before October 7 attack. Penn was scheduled to host a Palestinian literary conference featuring several speakers with a history of expressing antisemitic views. This decision drew strong criticism from donors and alumni who urged Magill to cancel event. However, citing importance of free speech and acemic freedom, she allowed conference to proceed.

Congressional hearings

In October 2023, following Hamas attacks on Israel and subsequent protests on campus, Magill faced furr criticism for her initial response, which some deemed insufficiently forceful. ditionally, several antisemitic incidents occurred on campus, raising questions about university's commitment to dressing this issue.

culmination of se events came in December when Magill testified before House Committee on Education and Workforce, along with presidents of Harvard and MIT. During hearing, she was questioned about her handling of antisemitism, including conference and recent incidents. Her responses, particularly regarding disciplining students for antisemitic speech, were deemed unsatisfactory by many, including Jewish students, alumni, and politicians.

most notable was her interaction with Representative Elise Stefanik (R.NY). Stefanik asked, “Calling for genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?”

Magill replied, “If it is directed and severe, pervasive, it is harassment.” Stefanik responded, “So answer is yes.” Ms. Magill, to shock of numerous people around world, said, “It is a context-dependent decision, congresswoman.” Stefanik seemed aghast. She said “That’s your testimony today? Calling for genocide of Jews is depending upon context?” It is worth noting that Ms. Gay of Harvard and Ms. Kornbluth of MIT gave answers that were quite similar to those me by Magill.

A look at consequences of Congressional hearings

Following hearing, Magill faced a torrent of criticism. Her initial apology was deemed inequate, and calls for her resignation grew louder. Prominent figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey joined chorus of disapproval. ditionally, major donors threatened to withhold ir financial support, and a petition demanding her removal garnered over 26,000 signatures.

In face of this overwhelming pressure, Magill resigned on December 9th. She expressed regret for her handling of situation and acknowledged need for stronger measures to dress antisemitism on campus. As of now, it isn't clear if presidents of Harvard and MIT will share her fate. 

A group of 74 US lawmakers h written a letter to 3 universities, stating quite clearly that presidents needs to go. It is worth stressing that cancer of antisemitism doesn't ail just se 3 universities. y are receiving a lot of attention right now because congressional hearing went viral. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has said that he wants to look into “or Ivy [League] colleges as well”.