Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
CBS New York
Columbia University President Dr. Minouche Shafik resigns
By Naveen DhaliwalKatie Houlis,
1 day ago
Columbia President Minouche Shafik steps down following months of controversy 03:16
NEW YORK – Columbia University President Dr. Minouche Shafik announced she was resigning on Wednesday. The announcement came months after she was criticized for her handling of antisemitism on campus and protests in response to the Israel-Hamas war.
"I write with sadness to tell you that I am stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024. I have had the honor and privilege to lead this incredible institution, and I believe that–working together–we have made progress in a number of important areas. However, it has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community. This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community. Over the summer, I have been able to reflect and have decided that my moving on at this point would best enable Columbia to traverse the challenges ahead. I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins."
Shafik, who is British-American, went on to say she has been asked by the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary to chair a review of the government's approach to international development, which will allow her to return to the House of Lords in the U.K. Parliament.
"I am very pleased and appreciative that this will afford me the opportunity to return to work on fighting global poverty and promoting sustainable development, areas of lifelong interest to me," she wrote.
In a message to the Columbia community , she wrote in part, "As I step into this role, I am acutely aware of the trials the University has faced over the past year. We should neither understate their significance, nor allow them to define who we are and what we will become."
Dr. Shafik criticized over response to antisemitism, campus protests
Shafik testified before Congress in April as part of a series of hearings about antisemitism on school campuses nationwide. She was criticized by members of Congress, including Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina and Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah, for allegedly tolerating hostility toward the university's Jewish students.
In the video, she said, "The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, antisemitism, and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias have existed for a long time. And Columbia, despite being a remarkable institution, cannot solve them single-handedly."
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0