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Former University of Pennsylvania President Regrets Testimony on Antisemitism

Board members engaging in a serious dialogue about university governance.

News Summary

Liz Magill, the ex-President of the University of Pennsylvania, has expressed regret over her congressional testimony on antisemitism, asserting it harmed both her and the university’s reputation. Reflecting on the impact of her responses during the 2023 hearing, she noted the importance of compassion in such discussions. Following her resignation alongside former board chair Scott L. Bok, they addressed the influence of donors on governance and the broader implications for higher education in a politically charged environment.

New York City – Liz Magill, the former President of the University of Pennsylvania, has publicly expressed regret over her testimony regarding antisemitism during a congressional hearing, an incident she believes has tarnished both her personal reputation and the university’s standing. Speaking at a session hosted by Scott L. Bok, the former board chair of Penn, Magill reflected on her December 2023 testimony and the subsequent fallout that led to both of their resignations.

At the congressional hearing, Magill faced a pivotal question from U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik concerning whether calls for genocide would violate the university’s code of conduct. She acknowledged that her answer, though technically accurate, lacked the compassion needed in such a sensitive context. Magill noted that her response suggested a disregard for the serious implications of the rhetoric being used, particularly in light of rising antisemitism.

Bok, in defense of Magill, pointed out that the questions posed during the hearing were intentionally provocative and designed to elicit controversial responses. He suggested that while her answer was legally sound, a more emotionally resonant response might have mitigated some of the backlash she faced following the testimony.

Magill’s reflections also raised concerns about broader trends impacting university governance, particularly the influence exerted by donors on decision-making processes. Bok highlighted the need for “viewpoint diversity” among board members to reduce potential conflicts of interest that could arise from having sponsors with specific agendas. He critiqued the current board makeup at Penn, implying that it has become overly reliant on financial supporters, which could jeopardize the integrity of governance.

As both Magill and Bok navigated the implications of their resignations, they addressed the chilling effect of government pressures on higher education, including potential cuts to research funding and attacks on diversity initiatives. Magill warned of a looming crisis within the U.S. university system, stating that if the current trajectory continues, it may lose its reputation as “the envy of the world.”

Bok’s memoir, titled “Surviving Wall Street,” offers insights into the internal struggles and chaotic meetings leading up to their resignations. It illustrates a governance breakdown and a deep division among trustees, particularly in the context of rising tensions surrounding issues of antisemitism and free speech related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Following her resignation, Magill has taken on new roles as a visiting senior fellow at Harvard Law School and a visiting law professor at the London School of Economics, while also maintaining her tenured position at the University of Pennsylvania. However, her appointment at Harvard has drawn criticism from figures such as Shabbos Kestenbaum, who questioned the appropriateness of her becoming part of an esteemed institution given her perceived shortcomings in addressing antisemitic incidents during her presidency.

The dialogue surrounding Magill’s testimony and the events leading to her resignation reflects a broader cultural conflict over the role of elite universities amid escalating political scrutiny regarding free speech and campus conduct. Stakeholders in academia continue to grapple with how to navigate these challenges while maintaining an environment conducive to learning and robust discourse.