(CTN News) – Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok tendered his resignation from his position shortly after University President Liz Magill announced her departure on Saturday.
According to The Daily Pennsylvanian, the student-run newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania, Bok’s resignation followed closely after Magill’s resignation was made public.
These resignations were prompted by the scrutiny Magill faced, along with other university presidents, regarding her responses to questions about combating antisemitism on campus during a recent congressional hearing.
In his announcement, Bok stated that Magill had made a regrettable mistake during the hearing, and it became evident that her position was no longer sustainable after her appearance before the congressional committee.
Bok emphasized that Liz Magill is a highly commendable individual and a skilled leader who was highly regarded by her team. He made it clear that she is not at all antisemitic.
Bok expressed that working with her was a tremendous joy in his life. However, due to the constant barrage of external criticisms over the past few months, she was not herself during the events of last Tuesday.
Given the contentious environment and high stakes, she responded to a moral inquiry with a legalistic answer, which was inappropriate. This resulted in a negative 30-second sound bite amidst more than five hours of testimony,” he added.
During the hearing last week, Magill, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, stated that whether comments advocating for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment would depend on the context.
Following the hearing, there was a swift call for Magill’s resignation from Pennsylvania politicians and the university’s alumni.
Magill expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as President of this outstanding institution. He acknowledged the privilege of collaborating with the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members in advancing Penn’s vital missions.
The remarks additionally sparked disapproval from the White House and resulted in the University of Pennsylvania losing a $100 million contribution.
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