Harvard President Claudine Gay Resigns Amid Plagiarism Claims, Backlash from Antisemitism Testimony
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University President Claudine Gay has announced her resignation following allegations of plagiarism and backlash over her testimony at a congressional hearing regarding antisemitism. Gay, the first Black president of Harvard, tendered her resignation shortly after the hearing, which raised concerns about the university’s approach to addressing calls for the genocide of Jews on campus.
Conservative activists scrutinized Gay’s academic record following the hearing and uncovered alleged instances of plagiarism in her 1997 doctoral dissertation. Initially, Harvard’s governing board stood by Gay, acknowledging some inadequate citations but refuting claims of research misconduct. However, subsequent investigation by the board revealed further instances of improper attribution, prompting Gay to update her dissertation and request corrections.
In a letter to the Harvard community, Gay expressed her departure, only months into her tenure, with regret. Alan M. Garber, the provost and chief academic officer, will serve as interim president until a suitable replacement is found. Garber, an economist and physician, has been Harvard’s provost for 12 years.
The controversy surrounding Gay’s resignation stems from her testimony at the congressional hearing alongside the presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania. New York Representative Elise Stefanik questioned whether calling for the genocide of Jews would breach the colleges’ code of conduct. Gay responded by stating that it depended on the context, sparking criticism from lawmakers, including members of both major political parties and the White House. The hearing was even satirized on Saturday Night Live.
Gay later apologized, acknowledging that she failed to properly denounce threats of violence against Jewish students. The incident cast a shadow over her presidency, leading to discord on campus and the resignation of Rabbi David Wolpe from a committee on antisemitism that Gay had established.
In response to the controversy, the House committee announced an investigation into the policies and disciplinary procedures at Harvard, MIT, and Penn. Additionally, separate federal civil rights investigations had previously been initiated in response to complaints filed with the U.S. Education Department.
Harvard University expressed sadness over Gay’s resignation and thanked her for her commitment to academic excellence. The search for a new president is now underway to lead one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Overall, the plagiarism accusations and the controversy surrounding Gay’s testimony have led to her resignation, revealing underlying tensions and raising important questions about the university’s policies and commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
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