The President of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, has announced her resignation following months of campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
According to CNN, Shafik, an Egyptian-born economist with a distinguished career that includes roles at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Bank of England, and as the former president of the London School of Economics, has faced intense scrutiny for her management of these protests.
In a letter to the Columbia community, Shafik acknowledged the achievements during her tenure but highlighted the challenges of navigating a deeply divided campus.
She noted, “This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community,” and expressed that moving on would best serve the university in addressing the ongoing challenges.
Shafik’s leadership came under fire after she authorized arrests on campus and testified before the House Education Committee regarding Columbia’s handling of antisemitism.
Despite her efforts to maintain academic integrity and fairness, Shafik admitted that the past year had been distressing both for the university and on a personal level, stating, “I have tried to navigate a path that upholds academic principles and treats everyone with fairness and compassion.”
Columbia University has named Katrina Armstrong, a physician and former executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences at the university, as the interim president.
Armstrong, in her letter to the community, expressed her commitment to leading the university during this challenging time, emphasizing the importance of moving forward despite the trials of the past year.
The Columbia Board of Trustees, in their letter, expressed regret over Shafik’s departure but praised her contributions during a difficult period for the university.
They endorsed Armstrong’s leadership, calling on the community to support her as she steps into the role.
Shafik’s resignation follows the recent removal of three Columbia University deans over antisemitic text messages, a situation that further escalated tensions on campus.
In her next role, Shafik will chair a review for the UK’s Foreign Secretary on international development.
Shafik faced significant criticism for her response to the Israel-Hamas protests, particularly after negotiations with the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus failed.
Following these unsuccessful talks, protests escalated, leading to the occupation of Hamilton Hall and resulting in a significant police presence and multiple arrests.
Shafik defended her decision, stating, “[S]tudents and outside activists breaking Hamilton Hall doors, mistreating our Public Safety officers and maintenance staff, and damaging property are acts of destruction, not political speech.”
Her handling of the situation drew ire from both sides, with some faculty members accusing her of undermining students’ rights to peaceful protest, while others, including Jewish and pro-Israel groups, criticized the university for not doing enough to protect their safety.
In a bid to avoid the fate of other Ivy League presidents who had resigned following congressional hearings on antisemitism, Shafik prepared extensively for her testimony.
However, her efforts were seen as insufficient by several lawmakers, leading to further calls for her resignation.
Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who had previously called for Shafik’s removal, said, “After failing to protect Jewish students and negotiating with pro-Hamas terrorists, this forced resignation is long overdue.”
Shafik’s decision to bring police onto campus was met with protests from faculty, who accused her of escalating the situation unnecessarily.
In response, faculty members of the American Association of University Professors at Columbia drafted a censure motion against her.
Meanwhile, the protests at Columbia ignited similar movements across other college campuses, challenging university leaders nationwide to balance the right to protest with the need to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
