Columbia University President Minouche Shafik Resigns Amid Campus Unrest and Anti-Israel Protests

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik abruptly announced her resignation on Wednesday, less than a year into her tenure, citing the intense unrest and anti-Israel protests that have marred her leadership.

The announcement comes after months of escalating tension on campus, including destructive demonstrations and mounting criticism over her handling of the situation.

In a letter addressed to the university community, Shafik explained her decision to step down, pointing to the “period of turmoil” that has deeply affected her and her family. “This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community,” Shafik wrote.

Critics claimed Shafik was not sufficiently cracking down on campus protests until the tent encampments took over the Ivy League school’s lawn in the weeks leading up to graduation. REUTERS

She further stated that after reflecting over the summer, she believes her departure would allow Columbia to navigate its challenges more effectively under new leadership. “I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins,” Shafik added.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik abruptly announced her resignation on Wednesday, less than a year into her tenure. She cited the intense unrest and anti-Israel protests that have marred her leadership as reasons for her departure. The announcement comes after months of escalating tension on campus, which included destructive demonstrations and mounting criticism over her handling of the situation.

In a letter addressed to the university community, Shafik explained her decision to step down, pointing to the “period of turmoil” that deeply affected her and her family.

Shafik had faced criticism over her handling of pro-Palestinian protests at the elite university Melissa Bender/NurPhoto/Shutterstock.

She further stated that after reflecting over the summer, she believes her departure would allow Columbia to navigate its challenges more effectively under new leadership.
Shafik, who spent most of her career in the United Kingdom, also revealed that she will return to her home country to take on a new role with the UK Foreign Secretary, chairing a review of the government’s approach to international development.

In her letter, Shafik expressed her distress over the hostility she and others have faced during her presidency, stating, “I have tried to navigate a path that upholds academic principles and treats everyone with fairness and compassion.” Columbia University quickly named Dr. Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as interim president.

Armstrong acknowledged the university’s difficulties over the past year, saying in her letter to the student body, “As I step into this role, I am acutely aware of the trials the university faced over the past year. We should neither understate their significance nor allow them to define who we are and what we will become.”

Her resignation comes just a week after three deans stepped down over a “troubling” t “xt chain.” AFP via Getty Images

Shafik’s resignation has caused division within the university community. Law professor Matthew Waxman, a member of the university’s antisemitism task force, expressed surprise at her sudden departure.

Waxman noted that while it was too early to determine if her resignation was the right move, the more pressing issue is whether Columbia will enforce new rules aimed at combating antisemitism.

Students outside the Morningside Heights campus shared mixed reactions to the news. A 28-year-old junior studying human rights expressed concern that the leadership change so close to the start of the school year would only add to the turmoil that has characterized the past year, which included protests and arrests.

Hundreds of students were arrested on trespassing charges for refusing to pack up. Still, the demonstrations escalated when a destructive mob illegally took over the Hamilton Hall academic building in April. Getty Images

Another student, a Barnard College junior, described feeling shocked and relieved by Shafik’s resignation, though she also expressed concern about the timing. “So close to the beginning of the school year, it feels a little daunting,” she said, hoping new leadership will guide the university effectively.

“For her to resign is a symbol of hope for a better way to go about things,” the student noted. Shafik had been under increasing pressure to resign due to her handling of protests that erupted following Hamas’ invasion of Israel in October.

Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm messaged vomit emojis. She accused Jewish students of asserting “privilege” and “ring a pa” during a discussion the month prior about antisemitism on campus. Getty Images

Critics accused her of not taking a strong enough stance against antisemitism, notably after she refused to clarify whether the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is antisemitic. The situation escalated when anti-Israel demonstrators set up tent encampments on Columbia’s campus, leading to a destructive takeover of the Hamilton Hall academic building in April.

Columbia University did not respond to The Post’s request. Getty Images

The unrest at Columbia culminated last week when three university deans resigned following the exposure of text messages in which they disparaged Israeli and Jewish students.

The texts, which included derogatory comments about Jewish students’ nonstudents rising antisemitism, led to further outcry and added to the calls for Shafik’s resiShafik’s

Shafik’s depaShafik’smes just three weeks before the start of the fall semester. REUTERS

As the university prepares for the upcoming academic year, the departure of its president raises questions about whether the leadership change will bring stability or if the unrest will continue to overshadow campus life.