When You Lose a $100 Million Donation, You Might Lose Your Job

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has had a rough couple of days. She had a horrific exchange in front of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce this week, where she refused to say those calling for Jewish genocide are engaging in harassment. Jewish students have been besieged since the war in Gaza began in October. Magill was not alone—Harvard President Claudine Gay and Massachusetts Institute of Technology head Sally Kornbluth also refused to offer a direct condemnation of these antisemitic antics. The three stooges have been raked over the coals for this hearing. 

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The fallout has been costly; UPenn lost a $100 million donation. Magill can say whatever she wants—it’s her right to do so—but there are consequences. And it would appear the board of trustees has reached its wit's end with this sideshow, finished with being embarrassed by those who simply cannot say that those who call for the killing of all Jews are flat-out wrong. CNN reported that no firm decision has been made when the board met on Thursday (via CNN): 

The walls appear to be caving in around the University of Pennsylvania’s president, Liz Magill, who faces scathing criticism over her performance at a House hearing earlier this week. 

Prominent donor Ross Stevens threatened to claw back a $100 million donation. The university’s board of trustees held an emergency meeting Thursday. And the powerful Wharton Board of Advisors that leads the university’s prominent business school called for a leadership change at the university.