In a surprising turn of events, Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, announced her resignation on Saturday, following intense backlash from students, faculty, and donors regarding her recent congressional testimony on antisemitism. The decision was conveyed to the school community through a letter from Scott L. Bok, the chair of the university's board of trustees.

Expressing gratitude for her time at the institution, Magill stated in a released statement, "It has been my privilege to serve as President of this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work with our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to advance Penn's vital missions."

While her resignation takes effect immediately, Magill will continue to serve as interim president until a suitable replacement is appointed. Additionally, she will retain her position as a tenured faculty member at Penn Carey Law.

The university plans to provide further information about interim leadership in the days to come, according to Bok.

The controversy surrounding Magill's tenure escalated following her appearance before Congress alongside the presidents of Harvard and MIT. The focus of the hearing centered on how universities are addressing antisemitism on their campuses. Magill's response to a question regarding whether advocating for the genocide of Jews would violate the university's code of conduct drew significant criticism.

In response to Magill's comments, six members of Congress from Pennsylvania sent a letter to the university's board of trustees, demanding her resignation. The situation further intensified when Ross Stevens, a prominent hedge fund manager, threatened to withdraw a generous $100 million donation to the University of Pennsylvania.

However, concerns about Magill's leadership had been mounting for several months, predating the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. As early as September, she faced criticism for allowing an event on campus that featured speakers with a history of antisemitic remarks and behavior. Notably, the event focused on celebrating Palestinian culture but was scheduled to end shortly before the start of Yom Kippur, a significant Jewish holiday.

The departure of Magill as president marks a significant development for the University of Pennsylvania. As the school navigates this transitional period, the search for a new leader will undoubtedly be crucial in addressing the concerns surrounding antisemitism and rebuilding trust within the university community.