PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Liz Magill has resigned as president of the University of Pennsylvania.
The announcement comes from Scott Bok, chair of the Penn Board of Trustees. He says Magill voluntarily submitted her resignation as president, but will remain a tenured faculty member at the university's Carey Law School.
“I want to thank President Magill for her service to the University as President and wish her well,” Bok wrote in a statement on the school's blog. He added Magill will remain in her role until an interim replacement is appointed.
Magill found herself at the center of controversy following remarks she made on Capitol Hill this week during a hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. When asked by New York Rep. Elise Stefanik whether calling for Jewish genocide violated the school’s harassment policies, Magill declined to give a direct yes or no response and called it “a context-dependent decision.”
Her remarks prompted criticism from Gov. Josh Shapiro as well as calls to resign from several students, donors and faculty members. One alumnus threatened to pull a $100 million gift to the university unless Magill stepped down.
“It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution,” said Magill in a statement shared by Bok. “It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn’s vital missions.”
Stay with KYW Newsradio for more on this developing story.