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Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University in New York, has resigned after months of criticism over his handling of student protests following the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel.
In a letter to Columbia faculty, staff and students on Wednesday, she described “a tumultuous time in which it has been difficult to navigate differing opinions across our community.”
The decision comes as many universities prepare for a return of student protests at the start of the new semester and increased political attention ahead of November’s US presidential election.
Shafik’s departure follows the departures of the presidents of two other Ivy League universities, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.
The three had come under intense attack in Congress during hearings focused on anti-Semitism on college campuses and the treatment of Jewish students.
Cornell University’s president, who also faced criticism for his handling of allegations of anti-Semitism on campus, announced his resignation in May ahead of the end of his term, which he said was his own decision.
Officials were targeted by a number of prominent alumni donors who threatened to cut off funding to their alma mater.
Shafik angered faculty members by revealing the names of scholars still under investigation for anti-Semitism while under questioning in Congress, and he came under fire for suspending students and calling in the NYPD to break up campus encampments.
Her hardline stance has sparked copycat protests and clashes between students and police at other universities across the United States and in other countries.
Shafik, a former World Bank and Bank of England executive who has been at Columbia for about a year, said in the letter that he had been asked by the new British government to lead a review of “how we approach international development and build capacity”.
“I have striven to uphold academic principles and to steer a course that treats all people fairly and with compassion. It has been painful for the community, for me as chancellor and personally to see myself, my colleagues and my students being the subject of threats and abuse,” she added.
Columbia University announced that Katrina Armstrong, CEO of the university’s Irving Medical Center, will serve as interim president.
“I am acutely aware of the challenges the university has faced over the past year, and we should not underestimate their importance or allow them to define who we are and what we become,” Armstrong said.
“The familiar sense of excitement and anticipation that comes with a new school year is shaped this year by the presence of change and ongoing concerns, but also by the tremendous opportunity to look forward, come together in the admirable mission we are here to fulfill, and become our best selves, both individually and as an organization.”
David Greenwald and Claire Shipman, co-chairs of the Columbia University Board of Trustees, said they accepted Shafik’s resignation “with regret.” “We are sorry to see her go, but we understand and respect her decision,” they added.
Virginia Foxx, the Republican chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, which held a congressional hearing with university presidents, said there had been a “disturbing wave” of anti-Semitism during Shafik’s short tenure.
“Columbia’s next leader must take bold action to address the rampant anti-Semitism, support for terrorism and disrespect for university rules on campus,” she said.
Recommendation
Speaking before the committee earlier this year, Shafik criticized Columbia Law Professor Katherine Franke, who has expressed pro-Palestinian views, expressed concern about some of the Israeli military veterans attending Columbia, and revealed a secret investigation into her.
On Wednesday, Franke wrote to X, “Dean Minouche Shafik betrayed me when she testified before Congress, but I am still an employee of Columbia University and she is not. It turns out that giving in to bullies did not end well for her. It never will.”
The American Association of University Professors wrote in X that Shafik’s “failure to uphold free speech and academic freedom by silencing peaceful protesters and jailing them will cause serious damage to Columbia’s reputation and be a permanent stain on her legacy.”
