Columbia University President Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Israel-Gaza Protests
Columbia University President Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Israel-Gaza Protests
Minouche Shafik, Columbia University’s President, has resigned, marking the end of a brief and contentious tenure characterized by significant unrest and criticism over her management of pro-Palestinian protests on campus earlier this year.
Shafik’s decision to bring New York police onto campus twice during the protests—once to dismantle a Gaza solidarity encampment and again to clear students occupying a building—sparked widespread backlash. In May, a group of faculty expressed a vote of no confidence in her leadership, accusing her of infringing on students' rights and academic freedom.
In an email to the Columbia community on Wednesday night, Shafik announced her immediate resignation, citing the challenges of navigating a deeply divided campus environment. She noted that recent events had taken a heavy toll on her family, as well as the broader community.
Reflecting on her decision, Shafik wrote, “I have concluded that stepping aside at this juncture is the best way for Columbia to move forward in addressing the challenges ahead.”
The Board of Trustees, in a separate communication, stated that they had “reluctantly” accepted Shafik’s resignation and named Katrina Armstrong, the CEO of Columbia’s Irving Medical Center, as the interim president. The trustees expressed confidence in Armstrong’s ability to lead the university through this transitional period.
Shafik, an economist originally from Egypt, was the first woman to serve as Columbia’s president since its founding. Her tenure, however, quickly became fraught with difficulties. Just a few months into her presidency, the October 7 Hamas attack ignited the Israel-Gaza conflict, leading to widespread protests on Columbia’s campus, mirroring similar demonstrations across the country.
Columbia’s handling of these protests drew intense scrutiny. Congress launched an investigation into the university’s alleged failure to protect Jewish students, compelling Shafik to testify before a House committee on issues related to antisemitism. The U.S. Department of Education also initiated an inquiry into claims of both Islamophobia and antisemitism on campus.
The situation further escalated when three Columbia deans resigned earlier this month after Shafik reprimanded them for sending text messages containing what was described as “ancient antisemitic tropes” during an event focused on Jewish life.
Shafik’s departure marks the third resignation of an Ivy League president since the House Education and Workforce Committee began its hearings on university leaders’ responses to campus pro-Palestinian protests. These hearings saw intense questioning of university policies, rule enforcement, and public statements.
At Columbia, Shafik faced a difficult balancing act: Some students and faculty urged her to protect protesters’ rights to free expression, citing Columbia’s long-standing tradition of student activism, from Vietnam War protests to more recent movements like divestment from private prisons. After Shafik’s initial call for police intervention, 70 students and faculty members signed an open letter accusing her of “violating our community’s values.”
On the other side, Republican lawmakers pressured Shafik to crack down on what they described as hateful and hostile protests against Jewish students. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) criticized Shafik in a May letter, accusing her of allowing the campus to be overrun by “mob rule” and appeasing “antisemitic radicals.” Following Shafik’s resignation, Stefanik issued a statement celebrating the news, calling her presidency “untenable.”
Jelani Cobb, Dean of Columbia’s Journalism School, acknowledged the extraordinary challenges Shafik faced, describing this past year as one of the most tumultuous in the university’s recent history. Cobb noted that Armstrong, the interim president, is highly regarded within the Columbia community for her straightforward leadership style.
Jeanine D’Armiento, a professor at Columbia’s medical school and chair of the University Senate’s executive committee, expressed confidence in the university’s future, saying, “We were preparing all summer collaboratively, and she [Shafik] is just one individual. We’re looking forward to the semester and getting back to the academic work.”
As news of Shafik’s resignation spread, reactions among students were mixed. Cameron Jones, a junior and lead organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace, viewed the resignation as a victory for student activism and vowed to continue advocating for the Palestinian cause.
Conversely, Elisha Baker, a co-chair of the pro-Israel group Aryeh, hopes Columbia’s new leadership will enforce stricter regulations on campus protests, potentially including rules on where and when demonstrations can occur and policies to prevent protesters from masking their identities.
As Columbia prepares for the upcoming academic year, the university community remains in a state of reflection and anticipation, with many hoping for a smoother path forward under new leadership.
