Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik announced her resignation after facing criticism over protests on the Manhattan campus related to the war in Gaza. Shafik, who had been in the position for a little over a year, cited the toll the period of turmoil had taken on her family and the community in a letter to the Columbia community. Protesters set up encampments in solidarity with Palestinians, leading to NYPD intervention at the university twice. Shafik also faced questions from Congress about her handling of antisemitism on campus. The university’s Board of Trustees accepted her resignation.
The announcement of Shafik’s resignation came as a surprise despite the tension and criticism she faced during her tenure. Katrina Armstrong was named interim president, and the university is preparing to start the new semester amid concerns about tension between trustees, faculty, and students. Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine welcomed the resignation, calling for future presidents to heed the student body’s demand for divestment. The protests at Columbia were part of a larger movement at college campuses across the U.S. following the war in Gaza. This event comes after other university presidents faced scrutiny and even resigned over similar controversies. Republican lawmakers targeted university leaders over allegations of antisemitism on campuses. Shafik emphasized the importance of academic principles, free speech, and zero tolerance for discrimination in her resignation letter.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik steps down following campus turmoil sparked by Israel-Hamas conflict protests
