In the hearing, Yakoby called for more decisive action from University administrators in response to alleged antisemitism at Penn, including during the recent Gaza Solidarity Encampment. 

The initial complaint alleges that efforts to investigate the University over alleged antisemitism on campus have threatened professors' academic freedom.

At 1 p.m., the American Association of University Professors held a press conference condemning the arrests of members of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the suppression of "nonviolent anti-war protest."

While several of Pennsylvania’s most high-profile politicians praised Penn’s move to disband the encampment, two politicians who represent Penn expressed deep concern about the University's conduct. 

The arrests came nearly two week after pro-Palestinian activists pitched approximately 40 tents on College Green.

“The University of Pennsylvania has an obligation to their safety,” he said. “It is past time for the university to act, to address this, to disband the encampment, and to restore order and safety on campus.”

The encampment spokesperson said that Penn’s administration “doubled down on their oppression toward the encampment” and referred nine students for disciplinary action yesterday. 

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with eight Penn alumni who have gone on to hold a diverse array of careers in politics — from the local level to overseas. 

The investigation is an expansion of several ongoing investigations into universities' — including Penn's — handling of antisemitism on their campuses. 

Krasner spoke to student organizers and legal observers on the edge of the encampment before holding a brief press conference.

In the statement, the committee outlined several alleged “abuses” of Penn’s open expression guidelines and called for a new system to “interpret and enforce the Guidelines on Open Expression.”

The rally was held “in support of a peaceful campus environment for Jewish faculty, staff, [and] students,” according to flyers circulating on Instagram.

Shapiro also emphasized the need to prevent antisemitism on campus while simultaneously allowing for free expression.

At the session, attendees heard from 10 members of the Penn community about campus safety, open expression, and administrative inaction since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

The protestors have set up at least 20 tents in front of College Hall after hundreds of Penn students, faculty, and Philadelphia community members rallied in support of Palestine.

From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, 575 voters in the Penn community cast their ballots at three polling locations across campus.

The University hired Cassidy & Associates in the wake of controversies at Penn and other higher education institutions surrounding campus responses to the Israel-Hamas war.