Columbia president Minouche Shafik faces criticism in all directions

When a new university president faced controversy, calls for resignation from students, faculty, and politicians surfaced. The president of Columbia University in New York, an Egyptian-born economist with an impressive background, is under fire for her handling of protests on campus related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Some criticize her for authorizing the New York Police Department to shut down student protests, claiming it violated academic freedom. Others accuse the university of failing to address antisemitism. The president has received support from the university’s Board of Trustees but is still facing intense scrutiny.