Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has just resigned amid mounting pressure over her handling of anti-Israel protests at the prestigious New York university.
Shafik announced his decision Wednesday in a letter to the Columbia community.
Your resignation is effective immediately.
He is stepping down after facing a growing backlash over his response to the anti-Israel protests and encampments that overran Columbia's campus in the spring.
The protests led to the cancellation of classes and the school's main graduation ceremony in May.
Also several of the university's major donors took out funding of the school
“I am writing with sadness to tell you that I will be stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024,” she said. he wrote.
“I have had the honor and privilege of leading this incredible institution and I believe that, working together, we have made progress in several important areas.
“However, it has also been a turbulent period where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views in our community.
“This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as well as on other people in our community.
“Over the summer, I have been able to reflect and have decided that my advancement at this point would better enable Columbia to meet the challenges ahead.
“I am making this announcement now so that new leadership is in place before the new term begins.”
While accepting Shafik's resignation, the Board of Trustees announced Katrina Armstrong, executive director of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as interim president.
“During my inauguration, I spoke of Columbia as an example of a great 21st century university committed to educating leaders and citizens, generating knowledge and ideas to solve problems, and engaging locally and globally to make a real impact on improving people's lives,” Shafik said.
“As president, I have been proud to see Columbia make so many contributions to fulfilling this vital mission.
“I also spoke about the values and principles that are dear to me and, I know, to the Columbia community as well: academic freedom and freedom of expression; openness to ideas; and zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind, including gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity.
“This mission, and the values and principles that underpin it, are our North Star.
“While tension, division and politicization have disrupted our campus over the past year, our mission and core values endure and will continue to guide us to meet the challenges ahead.”
“I have tried to navigate a path that upholds academic principles and treats everyone with fairness and compassion,” he added.
“It has been distressing, for the community, for me as president and on a personal level, to find myself, colleagues and students the subject of threats and abuse.
“As President Lincoln said, 'a house divided against itself cannot stand'; we must do all we can to resist the polarizing forces in our community.
“I am optimistic that differences can be overcome through the honest exchange of views, truly listening, and always treating each other with dignity and respect.
“Once again, Columbia's core mission of creating and acquiring knowledge, with our values as our foundation, will get us there.”
Shafik had been accused by Jewish students of allowing anti-Israel radicals to roam their campus with little intervention or discipline.
In May, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) he asked that Shafik should resign if he could not stand up to the agitators.
Johnson criticized Shafik's leadership as “very weak” and “inept”.
Shafik testified before Congress in April about allegations of anti-Semitism on campus.
His testimony was seen as dismissive of the concerns of Jewish students.
She was accused of turning a blind eye to anti-Jewish sentiment at Columbia while refusing to engage with its student groups.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) accused Shafik at the time of trying to “cover up” a “pro-terrorist” professor who had celebrated the October 7 attacks.
Stefanik also called for Shafik's removal after a mob of anti-Israel agitators seized an academic building.
Agitators held workers hostage, made demands at the university and barricaded the building.
Shafik finally relented and called the police for help.
However, critics have accused him of dragging his feet as chaos unfolded under his watch.
In his letter to the Columbia community, Armstrong he wrote:
“I am deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our esteemed institution…
“Tough times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to emerge from every group and individual within a community.
“This is a moment in Columbia,” he said.
“As I move into this role, I am acutely aware of the trials the University has faced over the past year.
“We must not underestimate their importance or allow them to define who we are and what we will become.
“The family excitement and the promise of a new academic year are informed this year by the presence of ongoing changes and concerns, but also by the immense opportunity to look forward, to unite for the laudable mission we are here for to serve and become our best individually and institutionally.
“It has never been more important to train leaders capable of uplifting society and addressing the complexity of modern life.
“Columbia University has a long history of knowing the moment, and I have faith that we will do so once again.”
“Much of this work will fall to the Columbia faculty,” he added.
“You are the ultimate stewards of the institution's values and stewards of its long and proud history.
“The habit of critical thinking and humility that lead to tolerance of opposing viewpoints is the most essential lesson taught in Columbia classrooms and the intellectual common ground that unifies the many academic pursuits that take place found on our campuses.”
As for Sharik's future plans, he wrote that the UK foreign secretary had asked him to chair a review of the government's approach “to international development and how to improve capacity”.
“I am very happy and grateful that this gives me the opportunity to work again in the fight against global poverty and the promotion of sustainable development, areas of lifelong interest to me,” his letter said.
Shafik served as the Ivy League university's president for a year before stepping down.
He joins three other Ivy League university presidents who resigned amid anti-Israel campus unrest after facing accusations of mishandled anti-Semitism.
University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned on December 9, 2023.
Claudine Gay, President of Harvard University he resigned on January 2, 2024.
Most recently, Cornell University President Martha Pollack “announced that she will retire” on June 30, 2024.
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