The president of the University of Pennsylvania and the chairman of its Board of Trustees both tendered their resignations as of Saturday afternoon.
In testimony before federal lawmakers this past Tuesday, Liz Magill, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, offered eye-opening responses when asked if calling for the “genocide of Jews” violated school harassment and bullying policies.
Magill had answered “If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment. If it is directed and severe or pervasive, it is harassment. It is a context-dependent decision.”
The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that in an email sent Saturday afternoon, Magill said “It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn’s vital missions.”
Magill remain a faculty member of Penn Carey Law, according to the report.
Shortly after Magill’s announcement, Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok followed suit saying that, although asked to remain until his term expired, he ultimately decided “now was the right time to depart.”
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Bok said Magill made a very “unfortunate misstep” alongside the two other presidents at Tuesday’s congressional hearings, and it became clear that Magill’s position was “no longer tenable.” Magill and Bok decided “concurrently” that it was time for Magill’s exit.
“The world should know that Liz Magill is a very good person and a talented leader who was beloved by her team. She is not the slightest bit antisemitic,” Bok wrote. “Working with her was one of the great pleasures of my life. Worn down by months of relentless external attacks, she was not herself last Tuesday.” …
“I wish Liz well in her future endeavors. I believe that in the fullness of time people will come to view the story of her presidency at Penn very differently than they do today,” Bok wrote. “I hope that some fine university will in due course be wise enough to give her a second chance, in a more supportive community, to lead.
Magill is the first Penn president to resign “for reasons other than a government appointment.”
MORE: Penn loses $100M donation after president’s refusal to condemn calls for anti-Jewish violence
IMAGE: NBC10 Philadelphia/YouTube
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