We hope that Columbia will finally appoint a president that will hear the students and faculty rather than appeasing Congress and donors,
Challenging times present both the opportunity and the responsibility for serious leadership to emerge from every group and individual within a community,
Comes from such a place of privilege… hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center
Amazing what $$ can do,
I have tried to navigate a path that upholds academic principles and treats everyone with fairness and compassion,
This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not
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,
Even as tension, division, and politicization have disrupted our campus over the last year, our core mission and values endure and will continue to guide us in meeting the challenges ahead,
With optimism and resolve, let us move forward together, embracing the opportunity to renew our vision and strengthen our community,
Three down, so many to go.”
However, it has also been a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community,
I write with sadness to tell you that I am stepping down as president of Columbia University effective August 14, 2024,
After months of chanting ‘Minouche Shafik you can’t hide,’ she finally got the memo,
Here’s hoping the trustees appoint a successor who is willing to enforce policies, hold students/faculty accountable, and create a safe campus environment,
I fully appreciate the profound responsibility of meeting the needs of the many constituencies that make Columbia University the renowned leader in higher education that it is,
People on all sides of the issue should exercise patience,
It has been distressing – for the community, for me as president and on a personal level – to find myself, colleagues, and students the subject of threats and abuse,
Regardless of who leads Columbia, the students will continue their activism and actions until Columbia divests from Israeli apartheid,
While we are disappointed to see her leave us, we understand and respect her decision.”
As I step into this role, I am acutely aware of the trials the university has faced over the past year,