Harvard President Claudine Gay has resigned after facing criticism for the university’s response to the Hamas attacks on Israel and allegations of plagiarism.
The resignation comes after questioning from House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, who has been critical of Gay and other university presidents.
Stefanik has called for more resignations at Harvard and is leading a congressional investigation into higher education institutions.
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TWO DOWN. @Harvard knows that this long overdue forced resignation of the antisemitic plagiarist president is just the beginning of what will be the greatest scandal of any college or university in history.https://t.co/ZJLxrHw1Zd
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 2, 2024
“Two down,” said Rep. Stefanik.
“Harvard knows that this long overdue forced resignation of the antisemitic plagiarist president is just the beginning of what will be the greatest scandal of any college or university in history,” added the lawmaker.
Gay’s resignation letter cited personal attacks fueled by racial animus, but did not address the plagiarism allegations.
“When my brief presidency is remembered, I hope it will be seen as a moment of reawakening to the importance of striving to find our common humanity—and of not allowing rancor and vituperation to undermine the vital process of education,” wrote Gay.
The Harvard Corporation’s statement praised her, “remarkable resilience in the face of deeply personal and sustained attacks.”
“While some of this has played out in the public domain, much of it has taken the form of repugnant and in some cases racist vitriol directed at her,” continued the board.
Despite the controversy, the Harvard Corporation credited Gay’s stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested she will remain on the faculty.
“Our robust Congressional investigation will continue to move forward to expose the rot in our most ‘prestigious’ higher education institutions and deliver accountability to the American people,” wrote Rep. Stefanik.
