Comment Section for At Penn, Tensions May Only Be Growing After Magill’s Resignation - The New York Times

The New York Times article discusses the ongoing tension at the University of Pennsylvania following the resignation of its president, M. Elizabeth Magill. The billionaire alumnus Marc Rowan, who had campaigned against Magill, sent a four-page email to the university trustees after her resignation, which many interpreted as a blueprint for a more conservative campus. This caused a wave of protests from faculty members. The university is also facing accusations of antisemitism from various parties, including alumni, donors, and students. It is the defendant in a lawsuit filed by Jewish students and is under congressional investigation. A letter from Representative Virginia Foxx also demanded documents reflecting concerns from some donors about the declining number of Jewish students as the university admits more Asian, Black, and Latino students. The faculty has pushed back against perceived attempts to interfere with academic policies and undermine academic freedom, with over 1,200 signing a letter to the trustees.