As a latest consequence of now former President Liz Magill’s antisemitism on college campuses testimony, the University of Pennsylvania is facing the withdrawal of state funding. On Dec. 5, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., asked Magill if calling for the genocide of Jews goes against school policy. After giving an indirect answer, Magill was criticized, prompting her to eventually resign.
As a result of Magill’s testimony backlash, along with a rise in pro-Palestinian protests on campus that have sometimes led to antisemitic chants, the Pennsylvania Legislature is taking action. The university’s veterinary school faced a setback as state Republicans voted against legislation that would have provided $33 million in funding.
The blocked funds are typically appropriated to the university from the state every year, and they make up about 18% of the program’s total budget.
The cut is a significant one, and it could mark just the beginning of legislative action against antisemitism on college campuses.
“Until more is done at the university in terms of rooting out, calling out and making an official stance on antisemitism being against the values of the university, I cannot in good conscience support this funding,” House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Pa., said during the floor’s debate.
House Republicans have begun drafting legislation that requires state-funded higher education institutions to adopt an official code of conduct that clarifies calling for genocide is considered bullying or harassment, and they are both against school policy.
All Democrats in the House voted to approve the funding for UPenn’s veterinary school, but Republicans were able to block it. The legislation won a majority in two different votes, but it failed to reach the two-thirds majority required by the Pennsylvania Constitution.
