In the wake of several high-profile donors withdrawing their contributions to the University of Pennsylvania over its handling of antisemitic incidents on campus, former chairman Scott Bok has voiced his opinion that donors should not have a significant say in university functions. Bok, the CEO of Greenhill & Co., argues that while donors are free to give or withhold their support, they should not wield undue influence over how universities are run.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Bok emphasized that donors are not shareholders and, therefore, should not have a particularly loud voice in shaping university policies. In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer, he further expressed his belief that donors should not decide campus policies or determine what is taught at universities. Bok cautioned against the influence of money, highlighting the significance of maintaining the integrity of institutions like Penn, which boasts a renowned business school.

Bok's resignation as chairman of the University of Pennsylvania's board of trustees came after several prominent donors, led by Wall Street tycoon Marc Rowan, withdrew their contributions amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Rowan, a Wharton graduate who, along with his wife, donated $50 million to the business school in 2018, called for the resignation of Bok and former president Liz Magill, citing their alleged mishandling of antisemitism on campus.

The controversy escalated when Magill failed to definitively address whether calls for the genocide of Jews on campus violated the university's Code of Conduct. Former Utah Gov. John Huntsman also joined the chorus, advocating for Penn to sever ties with its leadership. This prompted a broader examination of the role of donors in university governance, particularly after Rowan sent a letter to trustees urging them to scrutinize faculty qualifications and address cultural concerns at Penn.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Bok asserted that the board was grappling with determining the best course of action, cautioning against overreaction in response to a crisis that involved only a small fraction of individuals engaging in antisemitism. Bok stressed the need to preserve a governance model that has historically made universities like Penn the envy of the world, while acknowledging the importance of addressing short-term challenges.

Bok's perspective aligns with that of others at Penn who argue that donors should not infringe upon the core academic functions of the university. The University of Pennsylvania chapter of the American Association of University Professors decried the trustees' involvement in making decisions related to curriculum, research, faculty hiring, and evaluation, asserting that it infringes upon the principle of academic freedom.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also criticized the board for its lack of concrete action in response to antisemitism on campus. In meetings with university officials following the Hamas attack on Israel, Shapiro inquired about measures to hold professors accountable for making students feel unsafe and urged the implementation of policy changes at Penn.

As a new chair and president are to be selected to lead Penn, the focus now shifts to finding a balance between preserving free speech and addressing calls for genocide. Governor Shapiro acknowledges the challenges inherent in this delicate task and calls for immediate action to ensure a safer environment at the university.

Pennsylvania's flagship institution faces critical moments as it grapples with the fallout from the controversy, spearheaded by significant donor withdrawals. The university must navigate this challenging terrain to restore faith in its commitment to academic excellence while safeguarding the principles of free speech and inclusivity.