Columbia University President Minouche Shafik steps down following campus unrest during Israel-Hamas conflict

Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, the president of Columbia University, has announced her resignation after facing months of criticism over protests on the Manhattan campus regarding the war in Gaza. Shafik, who took on the role in 2023, faced backlash from anti-war protesters and House Republicans for different reasons. The protests led to the NYPD being called twice to clear encampments set up by demonstrators on campus. Shafik also faced questioning in front of a House committee regarding her handling of antisemitism on campus. The resignation is effective immediately, and Katrina Armstrong has been named the interim president. The Columbia community is focused on moving forward and dealing with the challenges ahead, particularly as they anticipate tough times with the protests continuing. The resignation of Shafik has been welcomed by some protest groups, while others are concerned about the impact of her departure. The upcoming school year is anticipated to be challenging, especially with new leadership in place. The university is working on developing proactive responses to any potential issues that may arise. Shafik, in her resignation letter, emphasized Columbia’s core values and the importance of free speech and openness to new ideas. Additionally, her resignation follows a trend of university presidents facing criticism and backlash from lawmakers and others, leading to high-profile resignations in recent months.

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