Above photo: President of Columbia University Minouche Shafik appears before the House Education and the Workforce Committee at a hearing titled “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitism” at the Capitol April 17, 2024. Allison Robbert.
Columbia University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences approved a vote of no confidence Thursday against President Minouche Shafik.
The vote, organized by the school’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), won with a 65 percent majority, though it has no…
Columbia University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences approved a vote of no confidence Thursday against university President Minouche Shafik over her handling of the recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
The vote, organized by the school’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), won with a 65 percent majority, though it has no real power against Shafik.
The AAUP chapter released a statement highlighting the frustrations the group has with Shafik such as agreeing during a recent congressional hearing to fire a particular faculty member and ultimately bringing in the police to clear student protesters.
“This series of actions not only endangered our students; more broadly, it represents a serious threat to the core values of the university: academic freedom, shared governance, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. The President’s choices to eschew democratic processes have undermined the faculty’s confidence in her and her leadership team,” the organization said.
A university official said only 900 out of the 4,600 full-time faculty at the school participated in the vote, meaning 80 percent of the voices were not represented.
“President Shafik continues to consult regularly with members of the community, including faculty, administration, and trustees, as well as with state, city, and community leaders. She appreciates the efforts of those working alongside her on the long road ahead to heal our community,” a university spokesperson said.
Remember the president of @Columbia canceled graduation after arresting 200 of her own students? Today those same students stood strong by holding a beautiful alternative graduation ceremony at St. John the Divine near campus.
Major display of student power.👊⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Ls4fVInYOo
— Steven Donziger (@SDonziger) May 16, 2024
The People’s Graduation is singlehandedly the most beautiful event Ive ever been a part of as faculty at Columbia. I wept for so much of it. All the work is worth it at times like these 💕 pic.twitter.com/mIQTV9UsMF
— Natasha Lightfoot 🇦🇬 (@njlightfoot) May 16, 2024