After months of controversy surrounding Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s handling of anti-Israel positions, she is stepping down.
On Wednesday, Shafik said in an email to the university she would resign after just 13 months on the job. The decision comes months after she came under fire as pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a building on the university’s campus.
After a stand-off, police stormed the building and arrested protesters.
“This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in the community,” Shafik said.
She added, “Over the summer, I have been able to reflect and have decided that my moving on at this point would best enable Columbia to traverse the challenges ahead.”
The university’s Board of Trustees announced that Karina Armstrong, who is the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will be the interim president.
“Challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to emerge from every group and individual within a community,” Armstrong said.
She added, “As I step into this role, I am acutely aware of the trials the University has faced over the past year.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who had called for Shafik’s resignation, said on X, “As a result of President Shafik’s refusal to protect Jewish students and maintain order on campus, Columbia University became the epicenter for virulent antisemitism that has plagued many American university campuses since Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel last fall.
“I stood in President Shafik’s office in April and told her to resign, and while it is long overdue, we welcome today’s news. Jewish students at Columbia beginning this school year should breathe a sigh of relief,” he continued.
Finally, Johnson said, “We hope that President Shafik’s resignation serves as an example to university administrators across the country that tolerating or protecting antisemites is unacceptable and will have consequences.”
