Accused of both plagiarism and antisemitism , Gay took no responsibility for the controversies that marked her leadership in her resignation letter. The board, under mounting pressure to replace her, had previously defended her congressional testimony concerning campus antisemitism. Gay emphasized that her departure is in the best interests of Harvard, allowing the community to navigate a challenging moment with a focus on the institution rather than any individual. Despite accusations and doubts cast on her commitment to confronting hate and upholding scholarly rigor, Gay maintained her stance, describing these values as fundamental to her identity.
Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday after facing intense scrutiny for equivocal testimony she gave at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism as well as widening allegations of plagiarism in her academic work. 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 consulting with the university's board, Gay added, "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. Gay's six-month tenure is the shortest in the university's year history, according to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper.
After just six months as president of Harvard University, Claudine Gay has stepped down following allegations of plagiarism and a backlash over what was described as an inadequate response to campus anti-Semitism. Her tenure is the shortest in the history of the university. She is also a professor of African and African-American studies. She became the 30th president of Harvard University when she took the post on July 1,
Gay faced calls to resign over her congressional hearing testimony. Embattled Harvard University President Claudine Gay announced her resignation on Tuesday amid accusations of plagiarism and controversy over her testimony before Congress last month. 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. The news was first reported by The Harvard Crimson.