Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned effective immediately. The decision announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14, comes months after student protests over the Israel-Hamas war turned destructive, leading to multiple arrests and widespread criticism over how the university handled the demonstrations.
In April, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested, and an on-campus tent encampment was removed by New York City police after Shafik gave them the go-ahead. Students pushed back, leading to weeks of protests and widespread tent encampments before students ultimately ended up occupying the university’s Hamilton Hall.
Shafik — who became the first woman and person of color to lead the university just last year — is the third Ivy League president to step down in recent months among concern over antisemitism on college campuses.
