Harvard University President Claudine Gay announced Tuesday she has resigned from her position after allegations of plagiarism and controversial testimony in front of Congress last month.
“It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president,” Gay said in a letter to the Harvard community. “This is not a decision I came to easily. Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words because I have looked forward to working with so many of you to advance the commitment to academic excellence that has propelled this great university across centuries.”
“But, after consultation with members of the Corporation, it has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual,” the statement continued.
Gay’s six-month tenure is the shortest in the university’s 388-year history, according to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper.
Gay’s resignation comes after she was the subject of allegations of plagiarism over her academic writings and following backlash over her testimony at a congressional hearing regarding questions about antisemitism on U.S. college campuses.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked Gay: “Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules on bullying and harassment?”
Gay responded: “The rules around bullying and harassment are quite specific and if the context in which that language is used amounts to bullying and harassment, then we take — we take action against it.”
Both Harvard and University of Pennsylvania are currently under investigation by the Department of Education for complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobic discrimination. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned in early December.
In a post on social media, Stefanik praised the decision, saying: “TWO DOWN”.
When asked about her academic work, Gay defended herself in early December.
“I stand by the integrity of my scholarship,” she said in a statement on Dec. 12. “Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure my scholarship adheres to the highest academic standards.”
