Columbia President Shafik Resigns Amid Controversy

Minouche Shafik has resigned as president of Columbia University, effective August 14, 2024, amid controversy over her handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus related to the Israel-Hamas war. Shafik, the first female president of the Ivy League institution, faced criticism from students, faculty, and political figures. The protests, which included a violent takeover of a campus building, led to police interventions and heightened tensions. Shafik's resignation follows similar exits by the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, who also faced backlash over their responses to antisemitism and campus protests. Rep. Burgess Owens and other critics welcomed her resignation as a necessary accountability measure. Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as interim president.