Liz Magill: UPenn President resigns amidst alleged antisemitism testimony backlash

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned following backlash for her "antisemitic" comments, unable to answer about campus conduct rules.

Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, has announced her resignation amid controversy surrounding comments that were deemed to be "antisemitic." This decision comes just days after Magill appeared at a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses, during which she faced criticism for her response to a question about whether advocating for the murder of Jews on campus would violate the school's conduct rules.

The House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing saw Magill being questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik, who asked, "Specifically calling for the genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?" Magill's response, or lack thereof, has led to calls for her resignation from donors and others, ultimately resulting in her stepping down. Scott Bok, the chair of the university's board of trustees, has also announced that he will be resigning.

Mary Elizabeth Magill, also known as Liz Magill, is a prominent American law scholar and academic administrator who was appointed as the university's ninth president in July 2022. Her career began at the University of Virginia, where she eventually became a Professor of Law and an expert in administrative and constitutional law. She has also held leadership roles at the University of Virginia and Stanford Law School.

Magill's resignation marks a significant moment in the university's history, as she is the first president to step down due to campus protests. While she will continue to teach at the university's Carey Law School, she has agreed to lead the institution until an interim president is appointed.

Prior to her role at the University of Pennsylvania, Magill served as the Richard E. Lang Professor and Dean of Stanford Law School, as well as the Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Virginia. She also has a rich background in legal scholarship and has been recognized for her contributions to the field.

Throughout her career, Magill has held various prestigious positions, including serving as a law clerk for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has also been a member of the American Law Institute and has held professorships at Penn Carey Law and Trustees University.

In summary, Liz Magill's resignation has sparked significant attention and discussion, as it raises questions about freedom of speech, conduct rules on college campuses, and the responsibilities of university leaders. Her decision to step down will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the University of Pennsylvania and its future leadership.

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