The President of Harvard University, Claudine Gay, has tendered her resignation, as reported by the institution’s student newspaper on Tuesday.
Her departure follows mounting criticism regarding allegations of plagiarism and her management of issues related to anti-Semitism within the university.
Recent scrutiny had surfaced concerning claims that Gay failed to appropriately cite scholarly sources in her academic work, leading to questions about the integrity of her contributions.
Her tenure as president stands as the briefest in Harvard’s extensive history.
New accusations emerged on Tuesday, published anonymously in a conservative online publication, further exacerbating the situation.
Gay faced significant backlash after her testimony before Congress alongside the heads of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania last month.
She notably declined to definitively state whether advocating for the genocide of Jews would breach Harvard’s code of conduct, sparking controversy and public criticism.
Although supported by Harvard’s governing body, the Harvard Corporation, following her congressional appearance, Gay received reproach for her response to the October 7 attack in Israel during the Gaza conflict, as the university community expressed discontent.
Calls for her resignation surged, with over 70 lawmakers, including two Democrats, urging her departure, while prominent Harvard alumni and donors also advocated for her resignation.
However, amidst this turmoil, more than 700 Harvard faculty members signed a letter in support of Gay.
As of now, Harvard University has not provided immediate commentary on the matter.
Gay, aged 53 and born in New York to Haitian immigrants, serves as a political science professor.
She made history in July by becoming the first Black president of Harvard University, established 368 years ago in Cambridge, situated outside Boston.
