Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has announced her decision to step down amidst ongoing protests on campus over the Israel-Hamas war. Shafik, an economist with an extensive background in various high-ranking positions globally, cited progress during her tenure but acknowledged the difficulties of overcoming divergent views in the community. The pressure for Shafik to resign intensified after months of student-led demonstrations at the school’s New York campus and criticisms over her handling of campus encampments protesting the war.
The protests and controversies surrounding Shafik’s leadership have taken a toll on her and her family, prompting her decision to step down to allow Columbia to navigate the challenges ahead. Pressure had been building for Shafik to resign following authorizing arrests on campus and her testimony regarding the university’s handling of antisemitism. The interim president taking over is Katrina Armstrong, a doctor of medicine who has served in leadership roles at the university’s health and biomedical sciences department and medical campus. Shafik expressed her commitment to working with Armstrong to ensure an orderly transition.
Amidst the turmoil and division on campus, Shafik has reiterated the endurance of the university’s core mission and values. In her letter announcing her resignation, she emphasized the importance of upholding academic principles and treating everyone with fairness and compassion. Armstrong, in her letter to the university community, acknowledged the challenges faced by the university in the past year and expressed optimism and determination to move forward collectively as a community.
The Columbia Board of Trustees has expressed regret over Shafik’s departure but endorsed Armstrong as the right leader for the university at this moment. Shafik’s resignation comes on the heels of the removal of three Columbia University deans earlier in the summer due to their involvement in controversial text messages that were deemed to have touched on antisemitic tropes. Shafik’s next role will involve working with the UK’s Foreign Secretary to chair a review of the government’s approach to international development.
Shafik faced criticism for her handling of protests on campus related to the Israel-Hamas war leading up to the university-wide commencement. Despite efforts by academic leaders to negotiate with representatives from the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, a resolution was not reached, resulting in students remaining at the encampment on a university lawn where commencement ceremonies traditionally occur. Shafik has faced challenges during her tenure as president, with tensions, division, and politicization impacting the campus, but she remains committed to upholding academic principles and guiding the university through its challenges.
