Amid controversies, Harvard president resigns, denouncing “threats fueled by racism”

The president of the prestigious American university Harvard, Claudine Gay, announced Tuesday January 2 that she was resigning, after accusations of plagiarism and a tense hearing in Congress on the fight against anti-Semitism on campuses. “It is with a heavy heart but with a deep love for Harvard that I write to you to announce that I will be stepping down as president.”she wrote in a letter.

Aged 53, this political science professor who became the first black president of Harvard University in July has been under fire in recent weeks. She was targeted by accusations of plagiarism linked to her academic work, fueled by a conservative site.

“It was complicated to see the doubt hovering”

She was also the subject of criticism following her responses during a parliamentary hearing on the fight against anti-Semitism on campuses. In particular, she had tense exchanges with elected Republican Elise Stefanik. When the latter asked if “Calling for the genocide of Jews violated Harvard harassment regulations”Claudine Gay replied: “It can, depending on the context,” before adding: “If it is directed against a person”. She then apologized, while an extraordinary board of directors kept her in her position.

“It has been complicated to see doubt hover over my commitments to confronting hatred and respecting academic rigor… and frightening to be the subject of personal attacks and threats fueled by racism”she explained in her letter. His presidency was the shortest in the history of the university founded in 1636.