Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik announced her resignation after facing criticism over protests on campus regarding the war in Gaza and accusations of mishandling antisemitism issues. Shafik, who had been in the position for a little over a year, faced backlash from anti-war protesters and House Republicans. The protests on campus involved encampments set up by demonstrators in solidarity with Palestinians. Shafik requested the NYPD to clear these encampments leading to further controversy. She appeared before a House committee in April to answer questions about antisemitism on campus.
Shafik stated in her resignation letter that the turmoil on campus had taken a toll on her family. Columbia’s Board of Trustees accepted her decision and named Katrina Armstrong as interim president.
Protests erupted at several universities in the US following the war in Gaza, with calls for divestment from Israel. Shafik emphasized in her letter the importance of free speech and zero tolerance for discrimination on campus.
Shafik is the latest university president to resign after facing criticism, following resignations at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. Republican lawmakers have been targeting university heads over demonstrations on college campuses they allege to be antisemitic. Rep. Elise Stefanik celebrated Shafik’s resignation, indicating a pattern of pressure on university leaders.
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