Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned after facing months of criticism during protests on the Manhattan campus over the war in Gaza. Shafik, who became president in July 2023, faced backlash from anti-war protesters and House Republicans. She asked the NYPD to clear encampments set up by protesters and faced questions about her handling of antisemitism on campus at a House committee hearing. The resignation, effective immediately, was announced in a letter to the Columbia community.
Following Shafik’s resignation, Katrina Armstrong was named interim president, bringing some uncertainty to the university community as it prepares to start the new school year. The university plans to be proactive in its response to protests and tensions on campus, emphasizing free speech and zero tolerance for discrimination.
Protests erupted on college campuses across the U.S. after terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel, leading to calls for schools to divest from Israel. Shafik expressed Columbia’s values of free speech and openness to new ideas but faced threats and abuse during her tenure.
The resignations of other university presidents, including Liz Magill from the University of Pennsylvania and Claudine Gay from Harvard University, were also noted to have been influenced by Republican criticism of demonstrations on college campuses. Rep. Elise Stefanik celebrated Shafik’s resignation, indicating a continued focus on university leadership by lawmakers.
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