The University of Pennsylvania is facing criticism from LGBTQ activists and legal experts for banning transgender female athletes from women's sports to comply with a Department of Education interpretation of Title IX, amid broader political and legal battles over transgender rights in sports. The university's decision, influenced by federal pressure and executive orders, has sparked debates about legality, fairness, and the rights of transgender students, with some viewing it as a capitulation to anti-trans policies and others as compliance with federal requirements.
The University of Pennsylvania will ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports following a federal investigation into Lia Thomas's participation, aligning its policies with current eligibility guidelines and emphasizing a biology-based definition of gender, amidst ongoing debates over transgender rights in sports.
The University of Pennsylvania has revoked records and titles of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas as part of a deal with the Education Department to comply with bans on transgender athletes in women's sports, resulting from federal funding threats under the Trump administration.
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned following backlash over her handling of antisemitism on campus. The resignation came after Republican lawmakers called for her removal and threatened to withhold $31 million in state funding to the university's veterinary school. Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law and will serve as interim president while a new leader is appointed. The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Scott L. Bok, also announced his resignation two hours after Magill's announcement. The controversy arose from Magill's testimony before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, where she and other university presidents condemned antisemitism and anti-Palestinian hate on their campuses.
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned following backlash over her testimony on antisemitism to Congress. Magill faced pressure to step down after failing to unequivocally condemn calls for the genocide of Jews. Major donor Ross Stevens rescinded a $100 million gift to the school, and the board of Penn's Wharton business school also asked for her resignation. Magill will remain a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law.
University of Pennsylvania's president Liz Magill is facing calls to resign after her congressional testimony on antisemitism on college campuses was widely criticized.
Former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman has criticized the University of Pennsylvania's response to antisemitism and announced that his family will stop donating to the university. This follows a backlash from donors and trustees over UPenn's handling of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, which included speakers with a history of making antisemitic remarks. Huntsman accused UPenn of silence in the face of Hamas' attacks on Israel and called it "deeply adrift." In response, UPenn President Liz Magill admitted the school's inadequate response and increased security and support for Jewish centers on campus. A trustee also resigned, but the board of trustees expressed support for Magill's leadership.
