In a letter to the Harvard University community, Ms. Gay said her decision to resign was "indescribably difficult" and that "after consulting with members of the Harvard Corporation, it is clear that my resignation is in the best interests of Harvard University."
Claudine Gay at the 372nd Commencement Ceremony of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US on May 25, 2023. Photo: Reuters
The Harvard Corporation, the 11-member governing body of Harvard University, said in an email to the community that its members had accepted Ms. Gay's resignation "with sadness" and that the school's provost and chief academic officer, Alan Garber, would assume the position of interim president.
Ms. Gay, along with former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth, gave "controversial" testimony before a US House committee on December 5 about the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses.
Despite the controversy surrounding Ms. Gay, Harvard last month reiterated its confidence in her ability to lead the school through a period of heightened tensions over the war in the Middle East. It also said an independent review of Gay’s academic work had cleared her of any research misconduct.
Ms. Gay, the first black president in Harvard University's 388-year history, and members of the Harvard Corporation said in a letter to the community on Tuesday that she had been subjected to racist attacks.
Some critics have argued that Ms Gay was chosen for the role as part of the university’s efforts to promote diversity rather than because of her qualifications. “It is distressing… and terrifying to be subjected to personal attacks and threats motivated by racial animus,” she said in her statement.
The Harvard Corporation wrote that she had been subjected to “profound and sustained personal attacks” including “racist slurs directed at her through disgraceful emails and phone calls”.
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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