University of Pennsylvania loses $100 million donation over school’s president’s controversial anti-semitic remarks
President Elizabeth Magill of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is facing multiple calls for resignation after she made the institution lose out on a $100 million grant over her neither here nor there comment about the school’s position on students supporting the genocide of Jews when queried by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas has seen many U.S. citizens, including students, take sides and favour one party over the other, a development that most likely prompted congresswoman Elise Stefanik to ask the crucial question on how the school addressed calls for the genocide of Jews. Presidents of other Ivy League schools, including Harvard and MIT, were also present to answer questions regarding antisemitism in their respective institutions.
“Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate [your university’s] code of conduct or rules regarding bullying and harassment? Yes or no?” queried Ms Stefanik on Tuesday.
Ms Magill did not give a direct response. Instead, she explained that the “context” of the situation would determine how the matter would be addressed.
Dissatisfied with her evasive response, Ross Stevens, major and CEO of Stoneridge Asset Management, withdrew his $100 million grant from the school, saying he was appalled by Ms Magill’s response.
“I have clear grounds to rescind Penn’s $100 million of Stone Ridge shares due to the conduct of President Magill,” reads Mr Stevens’ email, seen by The BBC.
“Its permissive approach to hate speech calling for violence against Jews and laissez-faire attitude toward harassment and discrimination against Jewish students would violate any policies or rules that prohibit harassment and discrimination based on religion, including those of Stone Ridge,” Mr Stevens’ lawyer explained in a letter to UPenn.
Although, she apologised for the comment in a video uploaded on the school’s website on Thursday, it has done nothing to douse concerns about her capacity and competence to lead the prestigious institution. In the video, she explained that her response supported the “university’s long-standing policies – aligned with the U.S. Constitution – which says that speech alone is not punishable.”
