Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned, according to an email distributed to members of the campus community. Her resignation is effective as of Wednesday.
Shafik came into the national spotlight at the start of pro-Palestinian protests across the nation, the epicenter of which appeared at Columbia.
“I write with sadness to tell you that I am stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024,” Shafik wrote. “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.”
The protests began at Columbia in mid-April and spread across the nation. Onlookers accused Shafik of reacting passively to the protest encampments that repeatedly sprung up. The pro-Palestinian activity on campus reached a peak when protesters occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall and police needed to use flashbangs to clear them out. More than 100 protesters were arrested.
“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,” Shafik continued. “I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who was considered a candidate to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate and grilled Shafik in a congressional hearing in April, commented on Shafik’s resignation.
“THREE DOWN, so many to go,” she said in a statement, alluding to the other two Ivy League presidents she questioned who also resigned.
“As I have said consistently since her catastrophic testimony at the Education and the Workforce Committee hearing, Columbia University’s President Minouche Shafik’s failed presidency was untenable and that it was only a matter of time before her forced resignation,” Stefanik continued.
“After failing to protect Jewish students and negotiating with pro-Hamas terrorists, this forced resignation is long overdue. We will continue to demand moral clarity, condemnation of antisemitism, protection of Jewish students and faculty, and stronger leadership from American higher education institutions,” she wrote.
Katrina Armstrong, CEO of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as Columbia’s interim president, according to the Columbia Spectator. “I am deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our beloved institution,” she said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
“Challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to
emerge from every group and individual within a community,” she continued. “This is such a time at Columbia. 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.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Shafik stepped down after serving just over a year as Columbia’s president, having taken office in July 2023. She was invited to a House hearing on antisemitism just months into her presidency, but declined to attend. Two Ivy League presidents, from Harvard and Yale, would resign not long after the hearing.
Shafik said she will assist the university in their search for a permanent president.
2024-08-15 00:12:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Feducation%2F3122208%2Fcolumbia-president-resigns-months-after-pro-palestinian-protests%2F?w=600&h=450, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned, according to an email distributed to members of the campus community. Her resignation is effective as of Wednesday. Shafik came into the national spotlight at the start of pro-Palestinian protests across the nation, the epicenter of which appeared at Columbia. “I write with sadness to tell you that,
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned, according to an email distributed to members of the campus community. Her resignation is effective as of Wednesday.
Shafik came into the national spotlight at the start of pro-Palestinian protests across the nation, the epicenter of which appeared at Columbia.
“I write with sadness to tell you that I am stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024,” Shafik wrote. “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.”
The protests began at Columbia in mid-April and spread across the nation. Onlookers accused Shafik of reacting passively to the protest encampments that repeatedly sprung up. The pro-Palestinian activity on campus reached a peak when protesters occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall and police needed to use flashbangs to clear them out. More than 100 protesters were arrested.
“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,” Shafik continued. “I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who was considered a candidate to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate and grilled Shafik in a congressional hearing in April, commented on Shafik’s resignation.
“THREE DOWN, so many to go,” she said in a statement, alluding to the other two Ivy League presidents she questioned who also resigned.
“As I have said consistently since her catastrophic testimony at the Education and the Workforce Committee hearing, Columbia University’s President Minouche Shafik’s failed presidency was untenable and that it was only a matter of time before her forced resignation,” Stefanik continued.
“After failing to protect Jewish students and negotiating with pro-Hamas terrorists, this forced resignation is long overdue. We will continue to demand moral clarity, condemnation of antisemitism, protection of Jewish students and faculty, and stronger leadership from American higher education institutions,” she wrote.
Katrina Armstrong, CEO of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as Columbia’s interim president, according to the Columbia Spectator. “I am deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our beloved institution,” she said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
“Challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to
emerge from every group and individual within a community,” she continued. “This is such a time at Columbia. 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.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Shafik stepped down after serving just over a year as Columbia’s president, having taken office in July 2023. She was invited to a House hearing on antisemitism just months into her presidency, but declined to attend. Two Ivy League presidents, from Harvard and Yale, would resign not long after the hearing.
Shafik said she will assist the university in their search for a permanent president.
, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned, according to an email distributed to members of the campus community. Her resignation is effective as of Wednesday. Shafik came into the national spotlight at the start of pro-Palestinian protests across the nation, the epicenter of which appeared at Columbia. “I write with sadness to tell you that I am stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024,” Shafik wrote. “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.” Here’s the email Shafik sent announcing her resignation: pic.twitter.com/IFxsKpJn8t — Ross O’Keefe (@RossOKeefe2) August 15, 2024 The protests began at Columbia in mid-April and spread across the nation. Onlookers accused Shafik of reacting passively to the protest encampments that repeatedly sprung up. The pro-Palestinian activity on campus reached a peak when protesters occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall and police needed to use flashbangs to clear them out. More than 100 protesters were arrested. “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,” Shafik continued. “I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who was considered a candidate to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate and grilled Shafik in a congressional hearing in April, commented on Shafik’s resignation. “THREE DOWN, so many to go,” she said in a statement, alluding to the other two Ivy League presidents she questioned who also resigned. “As I have said consistently since her catastrophic testimony at the Education and the Workforce Committee hearing, Columbia University’s President Minouche Shafik’s failed presidency was untenable and that it was only a matter of time before her forced resignation,” Stefanik continued. “After failing to protect Jewish students and negotiating with pro-Hamas terrorists, this forced resignation is long overdue. We will continue to demand moral clarity, condemnation of antisemitism, protection of Jewish students and faculty, and stronger leadership from American higher education institutions,” she wrote. Katrina Armstrong, CEO of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as Columbia’s interim president, according to the Columbia Spectator . “I am deeply honored to be called to serve as interim president of our beloved institution,” she said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “Challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership toemerge from every group and individual within a community,” she continued. “This is such a time at Columbia. 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 andwhat we will become.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Shafik stepped down after serving just over a year as Columbia’s president, having taken office in July 2023. She was invited to a House hearing on antisemitism just months into her presidency, but declined to attend. Two Ivy League presidents, from Harvard and Yale, would resign not long after the hearing. Shafik said she will assist the university in their search for a permanent president., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Minouche-Shafik-Hearing.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Ross O'Keefe,