Columbia University President Steps Down After Israel-Hamas Conflict Fuels Campus Protests
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned on Wednesday, becoming the third Ivy League leader to step down in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, which has sparked widespread protests and allegations of religious discrimination on campuses. Shafik, the university’s first female and person of color president, cited personal reasons in her resignation, noting the toll recent events had taken on her family.
Shafik’s resignation follows tensions surrounding the removal of protesters who had taken over parts of the Upper Manhattan campus. She explained that after reflecting over the summer, she believed her departure would help Columbia tackle the challenges it faces. Katrina Armstrong, head of Columbia’s medical center, has been named interim president, according to a statement from the board of trustees.
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The timing of Shafik’s resignation coincides with the beginning of the fall semester and a decrease in protests. These demonstrations erupted after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages. Israel’s response, which led to approximately 40,000 deaths, has drawn significant criticism for being disproportionate. Many protesters called for a ceasefire and a severing of ties with Israel.
Shafik’s tenure, which lasted just one year, was marked by controversy, including clashes over free speech, academic freedom, and religious discrimination. Her departure follows the resignations of Harvard and University of Pennsylvania presidents, both of whom faced intense scrutiny over handling campus protests related to the war.
