A Controversial Congressional Hearing Sparks Protests and Calls for Resignation at the University of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is facing turmoil following the remarks made by its President, Liz Magill, during a congressional hearing on antisemitism earlier this week. Magill's comments, particularly her response to a question about whether calling for the genocide of Jewish people violates Penn's rules or the university's code of conduct, have garnered significant backlash.

During the hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce, Magill was repeatedly questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik, who sought clarity on whether such speech constituted bullying or harassment. When asked directly if calling for the genocide of Jews violated Penn's rules or code of conduct, Magill responded, "If it is directed and severe and pervasive, it is harassment." Stefanik pressed further, seeking a straightforward answer, to which Magill replied, "It is a context-dependent decision, Congresswoman."

These remarks ignited a protest outside Magill's office on Thursday, organized by about 30 UPenn students and staff members. The demonstration, expected to last until late afternoon, aimed to express their disapproval of Magill's response and call for her resignation. A billboard truck in the vicinity displayed the words “Fire Liz” and the quote highlighting the "context-dependent decision" from Magill's exchange with Stefanik.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce announced on Thursday that it will launch a formal investigation into UPenn, Harvard, and MIT, employing the "full force of subpoena power." The committee's decision came as a response to concerns over the treatment of Jewish students on these campuses. In a tweet, the committee declared, "This should be a notice to every university that the targeting of Jewish students on campus will not be tolerated."

Political figures also criticized Magill's testimony. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a nonvoting member of UPenn's Board of Trustees, called for an urgent board meeting to discuss Magill's remarks, labeling them “unacceptable” and "shameful." Shapiro emphasized that condemning genocide should not be a difficult task.

In an attempt to address the controversy, Magill released a video on Instagram on Wednesday evening. In the video, she acknowledged her failure to recognize the gravity of calling for the genocide of Jewish people. "I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate," Magill stated.

Earlier on Thursday, the Board of Trustees held an informal virtual gathering to discuss the situation. While the details of the meeting were not disclosed, no votes were taken. Dafna Ofer, one of the protest organizers, expressed the need for Magill and the Board of Trustees to reflect on their actions and decisions. Ofer stated, "I think they need to face in front of the mirror."

Despite requests for an interview, Magill declined to provide any further comments to CBS News Philadelphia. The pressure on her continued to mount as UPenn students and alumni called for her resignation, citing her failure to explicitly condemn calls for the genocide of Jewish students. An online petition demanding the acceptance of Magill's resignation by the Board of Trustees had already garnered 2,500 signatures by Wednesday afternoon.

The controversy surrounding Magill's remarks has also affected the university's reputation and philanthropic support. Billionaire CEO of Apollo Global Management, Marc Rowan, who donated $50 million to UPenn's Wharton School in 2018, has reiterated his demand for Magill's replacement. In a letter seen by the New York Times, Rowan questioned the extent of damage the university was willing to accept to its reputation.

The fallout from the congressional hearing has escalated further, with two UPenn students filing a federal lawsuit against the university on Tuesday. The lawsuit accuses UPenn of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and holds specific employees, including Magill, accountable for the alleged antisemitic abuse on campus.

As the controversy unfolds, the fate of Liz Magill and the University of Pennsylvania remains uncertain. The calls for her resignation, investigations by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and legal action against the university all contribute to a growing sense of unease within the UPenn community.