University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has unveiled a comprehensive action plan to combat antisemitism at the prestigious Ivy League institution, in response to a rising wave of criticism from donors. The plan comes as the most substantial effort to-date by Magill to address the escalating crisis that has gripped the university.

In a letter addressed to the Penn community on Wednesday, Magill emphasized the university's unwavering commitment to fighting "this evil on our campus and beyond," acknowledging the need for further action in tackling antisemitism and rejecting hate in all its forms.

The newly announced action plan was developed in collaboration with national and local Jewish leaders, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, with a focus on three key areas: safety and security, engagement, and education. As part of this plan, a task force on antisemitism will be established immediately, led by Mark Wolff, the dean of the school of dental medicine.

Magill also highlighted the urgency of conducting a safety and security review for Penn-linked religious centers in and around the campus, acknowledging the alarming incidents and stories of fear and insecurity shared by members of the Penn community. The president deemed these incidents as "completely unacceptable."

The backlash against Magill, sparked by the university's decision to host the Palestine Writes Literary Festival in September, has seen prominent alumni, including private-equity billionaire Marc Rowan, "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf, former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, and hedge fund billionaire Cliff Asness, halt their donations to UPenn and demand Magill's resignation.

Magill's condemnation of antisemitism prior to the festival and her acknowledgement of speakers with a history of making antisemitic remarks failed to appease both sides of the debate. Some called for the event to be canceled, while others criticized Magill for being too critical of the festival.

The donor backlash intensified after the recent spate of terror attacks by Hamas against Israel. Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management, the leading voice behind the donor backlash, expressed dissatisfaction with the new action plan, stating that protection from racism is "the bare minimum." Rowan emphasized that cultural change and addressing the decline in Jewish participation are equally crucial.

In addition to the efforts to combat antisemitism, Magill also announced plans to convene a presidential commission to combat Islamophobia and other forms of hate. The president acknowledged the pain and grief experienced by the Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities, emphasizing the need to address the harassment and threats targeting those communities.

While some, including charter-school magnate Vahan Gureghian, commended the action plan as a "good first step" in recovering from the current crisis, Gureghian maintained his call for both Magill and Board Chair Scott Bok to step down, citing a lack of leadership in the university's handling of the situation.

Meanwhile, Columbia University has also announced the formation of a task force on antisemitism following a series of reported antisemitic incidents on its campus. University President Minouche Shafik emphasized the commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

The issues of antisemitism and hate on university campuses continue to be significant concerns, prompting university leaders to take decisive action to combat these forms of discrimination and ensure the well-being of their communities.