Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned Wednesday after she came under fire for her handling of pro-Palestinian protests, according to an email to students and faculty obtained by the Daily News.
Shafik, who took over the position less than a year ago from Lee Bollinger, stepped into the role just weeks before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, and a wave of campus protests that erupted over the war in Gaza.
“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,” she wrote. “However, it has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community.”
Shafik’s resignation followed weeks of around-the-clock pro-Palestinian protests at the end of last semester, with students pitching tents in the heart of campus to urge Columbia administrators to divest from Israel over its war in Gaza.
The university president called the police to clear the demonstration that she said posed a safety risk — sparking a national wave of campus protests — and later, an escalation as protesters occupied a Columbia administrative building, Hamilton Hall.
Shafik last spring faced an unprecedented vote of no confidence, when close to 65% of arts and sciences faculty who cast ballots said they had lost faith in their president, results showed. About 29% voted against the resolution, while the remainder abstained.
