Internal Politics
Prelaunch editorial prototype. Each file carries its own source-verification notice at the top of the article.
Free

"It Is a Context-Dependent Decision"

The presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn were each asked the same question by the same member of Congress. None of them said yes. Two resigned within a month.

3 threads2 min full readElise Stefanik, Claudine Gay, Sally Kornbluth, Elizabeth Magill, Virginia FoxxThe ReckoningView source ↗
It is a context-dependent decision, Congresswoman.

On December 5, 2023, the presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania testified together before the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Representative Stefanik put one question to each of them in turn, and asked for a yes or a no.

Harvard

StefanikDr. Gay, does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard's rules of bullying and harassment?

GayThe rules around bullying and harassment are quite specific, and if the context in which that language is used amounts to bullying and harassment, then we take--we take action against it.

StefanikCan you say yes to that question, of does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard's rules on bullying and harassment?

GayCalling for the genocide of Jews is antisemitic.

StefanikYes?

GayThat is antisemitic speech, and as I have said----

StefanikIt is a yes?

GayWhen speech crosses into conduct----

StefanikIt is a yes? I have asked the witnesses each----

GayOnce when speech crosses--when speech crosses into conduct, we take action.

StefanikIs that a yes? Is that a yes? The witness has not answered. Madam Chair, is that a yes? You cannot answer the question----

GayWhen speech crosses into conduct, we take action.

FoxxI am sorry. I am sorry, Dr. Gay. I have to cut you off.

GayOf course.

[Hearing transcript, December 5, 2023, questioning by Rep. Stefanik.]

MIT

KornbluthThat would be investigated as harassment if pervasive and severe.

[Hearing transcript, December 5, 2023, questioning by Rep. Stefanik.]

Penn

StefanikMs. Magill, at Penn, does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn's rules or code of conduct, yes, or no?

MagillIf the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment, yes.

StefanikI am asking specifically calling for the genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?

MagillIf it is directed and severe or pervasive, it is harassment.

StefanikThe answer is yes?

MagillIt is a context-dependent decision, Congresswoman.

StefanikIt is a context-dependent decision? That is your testimony today? Calling for the genocide of Jews is dependent upon the context? That is not bullying or harassment? This is the easiest question to answer, yes, Ms. Magill. So is your testimony that you will not answer yes.

MagillIf it--if it is--if the speech becomes----

StefanikYes or no.

MagillIf the speech becomes conduct, it can be harassment, yes.

[Hearing transcript, December 5, 2023, questioning by Rep. Stefanik.]

Magill resigned four days after the hearing. Gay resigned on January 2, 2024.