University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned following her controversial testimony before Congress about antisemitism on college campuses. In response to her resignation, the university has appointed J. Larry Jameson, the dean of UPenn's medical school, as the interim president. Jameson will serve in this role until a permanent president is named. The decision to appoint Jameson was announced by Julie Platt, the interim chair of UPenn's board of trustees, who praised his experience and leadership.

Magill's resignation came after she, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, appeared before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to discuss their colleges' responses to alleged incidents of antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. During the hearing, Magill and the other presidents faced criticism for not explicitly stating that calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their colleges' harassment and bullying codes. Instead, they took the stance that it "depends on the context," a statement they later apologized for.

Following the hearing, the pressure on Magill to step down intensified. Wall Street CEO Ross Stevens threatened to withdraw a $100 million donation to UPenn if she did not resign. Magill announced her resignation on Saturday.

Harvard President Claudine Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth, who also testified at the hearing, have faced calls to resign but have so far retained their positions. The Committee on Education and the Workforce has opened a formal investigation into the three universities, citing concerns about their leadership and their failure to provide a safe learning environment for Jewish students.

Magill had been under fire for months leading up to her resignation, with several megadonors calling for her removal since September. These donors were critical of the university's hosting of the Palestine Writes Literary Festival, which featured polarizing figures such as Professor Marc Lamont Hill. The festival drew criticism for allegedly embracing antisemitism, although the organizers have denied these claims.

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, donors argued that the university's response to alleged antisemitism on campus was inadequate and called for the resignation of its leadership. This pressure prompted Magill's resignation.

The appointment of Jameson as interim president fills the leadership vacuum left by Magill's departure. Jameson is highly regarded by UPenn's board of trustees, who describe him as a "collaborative, innovative and visionary leader." He has previously denounced calls for genocide as a form of hate.

Meanwhile, at Harvard, calls for President Claudine Gay's resignation are growing. However, she is also receiving support from over 300 faculty members who have signed a letter urging the administration to defend the university's independence and resist outside pressure. Some major donors, including billionaire hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman, have demanded Gay's resignation, citing failures to enforce the university's rules and ensure the safety of Jewish students.

The scandal surrounding Magill and Gay's administrations comes as Harvard and other academic institutions face allegations of antisemitism on their campuses. In response to the Israel-Hamas war, a group of student organizations, led by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, released a statement arguing that Israel's "apartheid regime" had contributed to the conflict. This statement drew backlash, with Harvard professors and alumni calling for the university to condemn the letter and Hamas.

The controversy surrounding Magill and Gay's tenure underscores the ongoing debate about how universities should address and respond to incidents of antisemitism on campus.