PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Local officials have made it known to University of Pennsylvania leadership that they’re not happy with how the school scrubbed itself of anything related to diversity, equity or inclusion after an executive order from President Donald Trump.
Trump’s order to end federal support for programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion was largely blocked by a judge last week. However, that hasn’t stopped Penn from removing anything DEI-related from its digital footprint.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Anthony Williams led a cohort of elected officials at the state and city levels into a meeting with Penn Interim President Larry Jameson. A word thrown around as they headed to meet Jameson was “cowardly.”
“Rushing to heed dogwhistle demands from a feckless federal leadership and dismantle their programs that welcome students and workers from an expansive range of backgrounds,” said state Sen. Nikil Saval.
“This is not a moral plea: ‘Do us a favor.’ This is a requirement that you follow the law.”
Jameson wasn’t their only target, as Williams explained.
“This is a direct comment to the Board of Trustees, who sanctioned this,” he said, “who sat in a room and said it was okay to be dismissive to a population of people, knowing full well the possibilities we’re throwing them in a lion’s den.”
The main question the lawmakers wanted answered is why Penn went through with its changes. Should it not reverse course, Williams suggested the school may not receive as friendly an audience in future expansion and funding efforts.
“This is not the last rodeo. This is a polite conversation … but be very clear, we’ll be back,” he said.
“Presidential administrations come and they go,” said Philly City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, “but when Trump is gone, our community will still be here, and we will not forget that you sold us out to protect your own skin.”
A Penn spokesperson told KYW Newsradio that the school appreciates the concerns brought by officials and that it is committed to non-discrimination in all operations and policies.