By Akinwunmi Mariam Oluwajokotola (SIWES Student, OGITECH)
Claudine Gay, Harvard University’s inaugural Black president, stepped down on Tuesday following accusations of plagiarism and mishandling anti-Semitic incidents on campus.
The Harvard Crimson reported that her tenure was marked by controversies, including claims of improper citation in her academic work. Gay, the shortest-serving president in Harvard’s history, faces a search for her successor as the university grapples with the fallout.
The latest controversy surfaced when an anonymous source published an article on a conservative online platform, accusing Gay of violating Harvard’s code of conduct and shedding light on the university’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents. Criticisms of Gay’s response to the Middle East situation and her appearance before Congress added to the scrutiny.
While the Harvard Corporation publicly supported Gay, they did express dissatisfaction with her handling of the anti-Semitic attack. Over 70 lawmakers, including two Democrats, called for her resignation, with prominent alumni and donors echoing the sentiment. In contrast, more than 700 Harvard faculty members signed a letter in support of Gay, who, at 53, holds a professorship in political science and made history as Harvard’s first Black president in July.
Despite the polarized opinions, Harvard University has not issued a response to inquiries about the matter. Born in New York to Haitian immigrants, Gay’s departure raises questions about the future leadership of this prestigious institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
