The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education email system was compromised, with hackers sending inflammatory messages to alumni. The breach, attributed to individuals targeting the university and its Office of Information Security, included a direct attack on the institution’s reputation. One message stated, “The University of Pennsylvania is a dogst elitist institution full of woke retards,” accusing the school of poor security practices and unmeritocratic policies.
The fraudulent emails, which appeared to originate from university addresses, criticized the institution’s admissions processes, claiming it prioritizes “legacies, donors, and unqualified affirmative action admits” while violating federal laws like FERPA and Supreme Court rulings. The University of Pennsylvania confirmed the incident, noting that its Office of Information Security is investigating.
This breach aligns with a broader pattern of politically charged cyberattacks on academic institutions. Earlier this year, Columbia University faced a similar hack, with a perpetrator accessing decades of admissions data. The same individual later claimed responsibility for intrusions at New York University and the University of Minnesota.
The incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education. The Trump administration has pressured universities to dismantle DEI initiatives, leading to lawsuits and policy changes across several institutions. Recent investigations into schools like Johns Hopkins Medical School highlight ongoing tensions over admissions and hiring practices.
