Months after anti-Israel protesters caused chaos on the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia University, embattled school president Dr. Nemat (Minouche) Shafik (right) has stepped down.
© Seth Harrison/The Journal News via USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK + © Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
(New York, NY) – Months after anti-Israel protests led to chaos on the campus of Columbia University, embattled school president Minouche Shafik has stepped down. Shafik was called to testify in front of Congress and faced numerous calls to resign, as protesters set up an encampment during the spring on the Morning Side Campus South Lawn. The demonstrations that also unfolded took on an anti-Semitic tenor at times, and some Jewish students said they felt threatened.
Shafik has said the entire situation represents a period of turmoil that made it difficult for people to overcome differing views. We’re just three weeks away from the start of the fall semester, and as students return to campus they’re only allowed on the grounds with a scannable ID. The hope is officials can use that process to keep protests in check.
Meanwhile, the war between Israel and Hamas has stretched past the 10 month mark with no clear end in sight. Mediators are supposed to meet today in a bid to reach a ceasefire agreement, but Hamas has said it will not be sending representatives to the day’s talks.
As for Columbia University, Katrina Armstrong — the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center — was named interim president of Columbia University.
