Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigns months after Israel-Hamas war protests roiled campus
NBCAUG 14 2024
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned from her post Wednesday, citing the "considerable toll" on her and her family after she received sustained criticism — in addition to "threats and abuse" — for her handling of the Gaza protests that broke out on the university campus.Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned Wednesday, citing the "considerable toll" on her and her family after she received sustained criticism — in addition to "threats and abuse" — for her handling of the Gaza protests that broke out on campus.
In becoming the third Ivy League president to step down over the protests, she was criticized by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine factions alike. On one hand, for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students, and on the other hand for allowing officers from the New York Police Department to enter the campus in order to breakup the student encampments, leading to hundreds of arrests.Shafik, the third Ivy League president to step down over the protests, was criticized by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine factions alike. On one hand, for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students, and on the other hand for allowing officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) to enter the campus in order to break up the student encampments, leading to hundreds of arrests.
Announcing her resignation weeks before students returned for the new academic year, Shafik described her time as an honor and a privilege and said that the community 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," she added.Announcing her resignation weeks before students returned for the new academic year, Shafik described her time as an honor and a privilege and said that the community made progress in a number of important areas. But she lamented how during a "period of turmoil" it's been difficult to "overcome divergent views" at the university.
Shafik fell short of her responsibilities as the president of Columbia University, particularly in failing to protect Jewish students and stopping the spread of antisemitism on campus. Among her sins was saying that a slogan that calls for the extermination of Jews was not a breach of university policy. It'sShe righthad thatto she be replaced.
After Shafik allowed the NewNYPD York Police Department on campus — leading to dozens of arrests, as well as many students leftgetting bloodied and battered — she thanked the police for their "professionalism." This was a betrayal of her students andthat afterrendered this, her position at the university wasunsustainable. noShe longerhad sustainableto go.