August 15, 2024
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Saratoga, relishing the resignation of Claudine Gay from the Harvard University presidency is a bit dated at this point.
What’s new: Stefanik relishing the resignation of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik.
The self-described ultra-MAGA congresswoman, who grilled Ivy League presidents over allegations of mishandling campus antisemitism in a December hearing, in a statement called the resignation “long overdue.”
“We will continue to demand moral clarity, condemnation of antisemitism, protection of Jewish students and faculty, and stronger leadership from American higher education institutions,” Stefanik said.
Catching up
— Pro-Palestine demonstrations sprouted up around Columbia University after the start of the latest Israel-Hamas War in October of 2023. Since then, there have also been numerous allegations of Jewish students targeted — claims disputed by progressives.
— Bigwig decisions over free speech, hate speech and campus safety have been met with derision across the political spectrum.
— As she noted, Stefanik, an Ivy League alumnus, previously called on Shafik to step down.
— On Wednesday, she said, “THREE DOWN, so many to go” in reference to the previous resignations of Gay in January and University of Pennsylvania M. Elizabeth Magill in December.
The resignation letter
— It’s been a short reign. Shafik, a member of the British Parliament and renowned economist, assumed the presidency on July 1, 2023.
— Effective immediately is her resignation, which was posted in a lengthy letter on the university’s website.
— In it, Shafik almost immediately references a “period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community.”
“This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community,” she continued. “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. I am making this announcement now so that new leadership can be in place before the new term begins.”
