Payam Javan: Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik has resigned from her position effective immediately, following intense criticism over her management of campus protests related to the Gaza conflict. The protests began on April 17 when students established a pro-Palestinian encampment advocating for the university to sever ties with companies supporting Israel. The situation escalated into a month of clashes between demonstrators and police, leading to the dismantling of the encampments by June 2. Critics accused Shafik of inadequately addressing issues of anti-Semitism and campus disruptions during this tumultuous period.

In a statement released on August 14, Shafik cited the personal toll of the ongoing crisis on her family as a key factor in her decision to step down. She expressed a desire to move forward and help Columbia navigate future challenges. Katrina Armstrong, the university’s executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences, will serve as interim president while a search for a new leader is underway. Shafik’s departure comes as she prepares to take on a new role with the UK’s Foreign Secretary, focusing on international development and poverty alleviation.

The resignation of Shafik follows a broader trend of university leaders facing scrutiny over their handling of campus responses to the Gaza conflict. In recent months, leaders at other institutions, including Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, have resigned amid similar controversies. Additionally, three Columbia deans resigned on August 8 after being implicated in a scandal involving derogatory comments about Jews. The protests and resignations reflect the heightened tensions and challenges universities are facing in addressing complex international issues and their impact on campus communities.