Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University in New York City, resigned following her handling of pro-Palestinian protests that turned the campus into a flashpoint for nationwide debates over the Israel-Hamas conflict. This resignation makes her the third woman Ivy League president to step down amid similar controversies. Shafik cited personal toll as a reason for her decision, and she will return to England for a high-ranking government role. The protests were sparked by events at Columbia last semester, and her attempts to address concerns about antisemitism only escalated the situation. Shafik called in the NYPD to handle the protestors, leading to over 100 arrests. Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will serve as interim president. House Speaker Mike Johnson welcomed Shafik’s resignation, hoping it sets an example for other university administrators. Jewish students at Columbia are expected to feel relieved by this change in leadership. The protests at Columbia University put the school at the center of controversy surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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President Minouche Shafik steps down from Columbia University position
