A Pennsylvania congressman has sent a strongly worded letter to the University of Pennsylvania's president, urging the dismissal of a left-wing professor for her controversial social media activity. The congressman, GOP Rep. Dan Meuser, specifically targeted Cinema & Media Studies professor Julia Alekseyeva for her online posts that seemingly praised Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Meuser's letter highlighted Alekseyeva's remarks connecting Mangione to the university and her description of him as 'the icon we all need and deserve.' The congressman expressed deep concern over the professor's actions, labeling them as 'outrageous' and contrary to the values of a civilized society.
Alekseyeva, who identifies as a socialist and anti-fascist, faced backlash for her social media content, prompting her to make her accounts private. The controversy stemmed from her public statements and a TikTok video where she appeared to celebrate Mangione, set to music from the musical 'Les Miserables.'
Meuser emphasized the need for accountability in higher education, stating that glorifying violence is unacceptable, especially within esteemed institutions like UPenn. He warned that the professor's behavior could impact federal funding for the university, citing concerns about ethical standards and faculty conduct.
The congressman requested a response from UPenn's interim President J. Larry Jameson, seeking clarification on whether Alekseyeva used university resources for her statements and if other faculty members expressed similar support for Mangione. Meuser also inquired about measures to prevent similar controversies in the future.
UPenn has been given until the end of the year to address the concerns raised in the letter. Meuser's stance reflects broader debates around academic freedom, ethical responsibilities, and the implications of faculty members' public statements on institutional reputation and federal support.
