Claudine Gay, president of Harvard University, announced her resignation on Tuesday, January 2, following accusations of plagiarism and, above all, criticism regarding her testimony during a congressional hearing, during which she was unable to unequivocally state that calls for Jewish genocide on campus would constitute a violation of the institution’s conduct policy.
Mme Gay announced his departure, which came just months after taking office, in a letter to the Harvard community. “It has become clear that it is in Harvard’s best interest for me to resign so that our community can navigate this period of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individualshe said in a statement sent Tuesday. It has been painful to have my commitment to fighting hate and upholding scientific rigor doubted – two core values that are fundamental to who I am – and frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animosity. »
She called on the Harvard community to “fight against prejudice and hatred in all its forms, create a learning environment in which [soit respectée] the dignity of each person, and affirm [leur] enduring commitment to open inquiry and free expression in the search for truth. »
“You should resign”
The presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania were criticized in December for their legal responses to a series of questions from New York State Rep. Elise Stefanik asking whether “the call for the genocide of the Jews” violated the establishments’ code of conduct. The three presidents had been summoned before the Republican-led House Education and Labor Committee to respond to accusations that universities were failing to protect Jewish students, amid growing fears of anti-Semitism around the world since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Claudine Gay then replied: “It can, depending on the context”before adding: “If it’s directed at a person. » She clarified: “When anti-Semitic rhetoric turns into behavior amounting to intimidation and harassment (…), we are taking action. » “It does not depend on the context, the answer is yes and that is why you should resign”the Republican elected official told him at the end of the exchange.
Mme Gay later apologized, telling the student newspaper The Crimson that she had allowed herself to be drawn into a heated exchange during the parliamentary committee hearing and that she had not properly denounced threats of violence against Jewish students. “What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was to return to the truth that guides me, which is that the calls for violence against our Jewish community – the threats against our Jewish students – have no place at Harvard and will never go unanswered”she declared.
This episode marred the start of Mr.me Gay at Harvard – she became president in July – and sowed discord on campus. The House committee announced it would investigate disciplinary policies and procedures at Harvard, MIT and Penn. Separate federal civil rights investigations have already been opened at Harvard, Penn and several other universities following complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Education.
Claudine Gay is also accused, notably by conservative media, of plagiarism on some of her academic work.