‘A hostile Republican takeover’: Penn faculty warn of academic freedom threats after Marc Rowan letter
Diamy Wang | 18 January 2024 | The Daily Pennsylvanian
Penn faculty members expressed concern for the future of academic freedom on campus following a Dec. 12 email to the University Board of Trustees from Wharton Board of Advisors Chair Marc Rowan.
In the email — titled “Moving Forward" — Rowan, a 1985 Wharton graduate, suggested that the University's campus culture "has distracted from UPenn's core mission of scholarship, research, and academic excellence.” The email, which was sent three days after former Penn President Liz Magill’s resignation, also included a list of 18 questions and two articles for trustees to read.
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with multiple faculty members about their thoughts on the letter and its implications for freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus.
Rowan — who is not a member of the Board of Trustees — wrote in the email that Trustees, despite having "failed to position [Magill] to succeed," can now "provide strategic direction before choosing our next leader."