Messages & Statements

2023

December 6, 2023
Video message from President Magill on Congressional Hearing
Penn President Liz Magill addresses comments made during her testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce and announces review of University policies.

December 5, 2023
Message from President Magill on House Committee Hearing
Penn President Liz Magill's message to the Penn community about her testimony to the U. S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce describing Penn’s urgent work to address antisemitism and other forms of hate on our campus as part of a hearing on the topic of  “Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism.”

November 30, 2023
Announcing Penn's Strategic Framework: In Principle and Practice
I write you today to share In Principle and Practice: Penn’s Focus on the Future, providing a strategic framework to guide our path forward.  This document is the result of a year-long strategic planning process, shaped further by the initiatives we launched this fall.

November 10, 2023
The responsibilities of our Penn community
College and universities across the country are experiencing disturbing acts of hate on their campuses – Penn is no different. I write to condemn all acts of hate that are perpetrated on our campus, to affirm our responsibilities as members of this community, and to make clear that we take seriously and will vigorously pursue any violation of our policies or the law.

November 9, 2023
Statement from President Magill on Campus Projections
Last night, vile, antisemitic messages were projected onto several campus buildings, including on Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. Penn Police were notified and quickly responded, and a full investigation is currently underway. We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent and take swift action in accordance with our policies.

November 6, 2023
Responding to antisemitic threat to our campus
Today I learned that a small number of Penn staff members received vile, disturbing antisemitic emails that threatened violence against members of our Jewish community, specifically naming Penn Hillel and Lauder College House. These messages also included hateful language, targeting the personal identities of the recipients. Penn’s Division of Public Safety was immediately notified and responded. Penn Police also notified the FBI of this potential hate crime, and a joint investigation is underway.

November 3, 2023
President Liz Magill’s Remarks at the Stated Meeting of the Trustees
For nearly 300 years — we are looking forward to our 268th Commencement in June — Penn has created knowledge, shared it for good, and educated the next generation. With everything I have, I believe in the power and importance of our mission. It must continue, and it will continue. But this is a dark and difficult time for the world. And it is a dark and difficult time for Penn.

November 1, 2023
Countering Hate, Together - A Message to the Penn Community
To the Penn community,  I write today to announce Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, our dedicated commitment to counter this evil on our campus and beyond. I also want to update you on additional steps Penn is taking on the related challenges of other forms of hate.

November 1, 2023
President Liz Magill announces Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism
Penn is distinguished by our long history of being an especially welcoming place for Jewish people. We trace our pride back to 1772 with the enrollment of Penn’s first Jewish student, Moses Levy, who later became the first Jewish Trustee of the University.

October 18, 2023
A Message to the Penn Community
Dear members of the Penn community, The escalating violence in Israel and Gaza has no clear end in sight and reverberates around the world, including on our campus. I have condemned the Hamas terrorist attacks that set these tragic events in motion.  We mourn the loss of innocent lives across the region.

October 15, 2023
A message from President Liz Magill on the terrorist attacks in Israel
Dear members of the Penn community, In the past days and weeks, I have heard from and spoken with many of you, with gratitude for your openness and candor. The University has made public statements denouncing acts of antisemitism on our campus and the terrorist attacks in Israel. Today, as Penn’s President, I want to speak directly and personally to all of you, to share my thoughts and to offer what I hope is some measure of clarity and comfort in this difficult time.

October 10, 2023
Supporting Our Community
We are devastated by the horrific assault on Israel by Hamas that targeted civilians and the taking of hostages over the weekend.

September 22, 2023 
A Message to the Penn Community
As many of you are aware, Penn Police responded yesterday to reports of an individual shouting antisemitic obscenities and overturning furniture at Penn Hillel.

September 18, 2023 
A message about Climate Week at Penn 2023
Now in its fourth year, Climate Week—organized by a committed group of faculty, staff, and students—serves as a focal point for discussion, learning, and action about climate change and its wide-ranging impacts.

September 12, 2023 
Statement on Palestine Writes Literature Festival
The Palestine Writes Literature Festival, a multi-day event featuring Palestinian writers, filmmakers, and artists, will take place on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus later this month. This public event is not organized by the University...

June 29, 2023 
A statement on the Supreme Court affirmative action decision
This morning, the Supreme Court ruled on two related cases challenging race-conscious admissions in higher education...

2022

November 29, 2022 / Penn Today
A message about Penn’s endowment and sustainability
On the heels of the world gathering in Egypt for COP27, President Liz Magill and Board of Trustees Chair Scott L. Bok shared an update about Penn’s fight against climate change.