Correcting Misinformation

The University would like to correct misinformation that has been circulating regarding invitations that were extended to SIPA graduate Mahmoud Khalil to participate in certain events being hosted on the University’s campus. 

Misinformation is easy. The facts, when they are complex, are harder. The information below seeks to clarify mischaracterizations regarding the University’s efforts to balance operations, safety, and support of our faculty and students. 

Regarding the November 20 screening of “The Encampments” followed by a panel discussion:  

This event was submitted by organizers through the University’s usual process to provide support for special events. The University worked closely with the leaders of the Knight Institute and the Journalism School to support this event and accommodate all planned speakers in person and on our campus, including Mahmoud Khalil. After a public safety review, the University recommended hosting the event at a campus venue, such as the Bollinger Forum or Lenfest.

Utilizing an appropriate venue was important to ensure the event could be properly supported by facilities and public safety staff, including to minimize potential disruptions to the event. The event organizers felt strongly about hosting the event at Pulitzer Hall and informed the University that rather than move to a different campus location, some of its panel speakers would participate via zoom, in order to remain in the Pulitzer location. 

The decision to utilize zoom was made by the event organizers, not the University. The University made every effort to support in-person participation for this event; within the parameters of what the University believes it could safely support for the event.   

Regarding allegations that Mahmoud Khalil was barred from speaking to a SIPA class: 

Instructors in SIPA’s Development Practice Lab II invited 2025 SIPA graduate Mahmoud Khalil to speak to the class. The campus access request was reviewed and declined based the University’s ability to manage facilities and public safety on campus. The University did not prohibit the request for SIPA graduate Mahmoud Khalil to participate virtually in the Development Practice Lab II. 

Upon learning of the access decision, SIPA’s academic leadership made clear that Mahmoud Khalil was welcome to participate virtually, but that, as described in the Faculty Handbook, classes need to pertain to the subject matter of the course and should not be used to advocate a political or social cause. In this case, the course instructors were asked to consider the alignment between the course objectives and the expertise to be shared with students, particularly as it relates to guest speakers not originally listed on the syllabus. This standard was reiterated for another guest that was slated to join the class. The conversation with the course instructors asked them to confirm the format of the discussion, and how the expertise or perspective of the invited speakers was relevant to the coursework – standard and necessary questions to ensure academic integrity of the classroom.