Staff Reports
In a commendable move, Republicans in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives voted to withhold over $33 million in funding for the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school due to the university’s lackadaisical stance on anti-Semitism. This decision was made following the resignation of the university’s president, Liz Magill, who faced pressure to step down after refusing to clearly denounce campus anti-Semitism during her testimony before Congress on December 9th.
Although the funding failed to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority, with most Republicans opposing it and all Democrats in favor, Republican floor leader Bryan Cutler of Lancaster emphasized that Magill’s resignation was just the beginning. He argued that the university needs to take more decisive action against anti-Semitism, including making a clear and official stance against it, before he and others can support the funding.
State Legislators Vote to Slash Budget at Penn After University Fails to Take Stance Against Anti-Semitism via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/2dp11qYCAJ
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) December 16, 2023
Despite this funding cut, a spokesman for Cutler’s office assured the public that it is not permanent and that there is a further process to be undertaken before the funding can be agreed upon. However, Martin Hackett, Chief Communication Officer for Penn Vet, expressed his disappointment with the decision, emphasizing the school’s dedication to its educational and service missions for over a century.
The move by the legislature to withhold funding may seem drastic, given the importance of Penn Vet and other university efforts. However, with anti-Semitism increasingly finding a home in pro-Palestinian advocacy on campuses across the country, this decision is a necessary step to address the issue. It highlights the lack of accountability among academics who claim to support academic freedom yet engage in or enable anti-Semitic behavior.
Fortunately, there are still lawmakers who recognize the urgency of combating anti-Semitism, and they are calling for action not only in Pennsylvania but also in other states. The hope is that other legislatures will take note and resist the pushback from those who argue against addressing censorship and anti-Semitic acts. It is crucial to prioritize this issue and then tackle other pressing concerns in academia, such as critical race theory, diversity and inclusion issues, the disregard for Western civilization, and the stifling of differing viewpoints. The fight against anti-Semitism must remain at the forefront, and Pennsylvania’s Republican legislators have set an example for others to follow.
