Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned Wednesday after facing months of criticism of her handling of the pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
President of Columbia University Minouche Shafik resigned on Wednesday.
In a statement announcing her resignation, Shafik said progress was made in a “number of important areas” during her tenure, but “it has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community.”
She said this turmoil has “taken a considerable toll on my family” and upon reflection, she decided that her stepping down as president would “best enable Columbia to traverse the challenges ahead.”
Shafik said her resignation is effective immediately, and she will be moving to chair a review called by the U.K. Foreign Secretary into the British government’s approach to international development.
Katrina Armstrong, the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), will take over from Shafik as interim president.