Controversial Twitter Activity Leads To Resignation Of Prominent University President Amidst Outrage

The decision was announced by Jefferson CEO Joseph G. Cacchione in an email to the university community. While Tykocinski will continue to serve as a full professor, he will no longer hold the position of interim dean of Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

The announcement made by Cacchione did not explicitly reference Tykocinski's Twitter activity, which had sparked concern among employees and students. However, for those who had raised objections to Tykocinski's social media behavior, his resignation comes as a relief. An anonymous medical school student expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "It was one of the outcomes that we wanted."

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July 25, 2023

The Philadelphia Inquirer previously reported that Tykocinski had "liked" tweets questioning the science behind COVID-19 vaccines, criticizing gender reassignment surgery for children, and expressing disapproval of diversity offices on college campuses. The Inquirer also noted that Tykocinski had shown support for tweets from Alex Berenson, a figure known for spreading misinformation about the pandemic.

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Following the publication of these findings, Cacchione addressed faculty, employees, and students, condemning Tykocinski's use of Twitter as "careless" and emphasizing that individuals in his position should be held to a higher standard. In response, Berenson claimed that "academic freedom is dead," while Twitter CEO Elon Musk labeled the university's reaction as "absurd."

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Tykocinski defended himself by stating that he had only "liked" the tweets in question as a means of bookmarking them for further examination. He clarified that his intention was not to endorse the content or the individuals behind the tweets. Expressing regret for his lack of understanding regarding the implications of liking a tweet, Tykocinski acknowledged the confusion caused by his actions.

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Regarding COVID-19 vaccines, Tykocinski clarified that he does not believe they are harmful. He acknowledged the importance of academic institutions in addressing questions and concerns surrounding the vaccines, emphasizing their role in saving lives through the accelerated emergency use authorization process.

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When asked about his views on transgender surgery for children, Tykocinski deferred to clinical experts at children's hospitals, stating that it falls outside his area of expertise. He emphasized the need for comprehensive services and appropriate referrals for issues involving children.

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In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for Jefferson University stated that the institution intends to use this incident as an opportunity to educate individuals about the responsible and prudent use of social media.

The resignation of Dr. Mark Tykocinski as President of Thomas Jefferson University marks the conclusion of a contentious period for the institution. While the controversy surrounding his Twitter activity has raised concerns, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful engagement on social media platforms, particularly for individuals in positions of influence and authority.