Claudine Gay, the first Black person to become president of Harvard University, announced on Tuesday she was resigning from her post following backlash over her response to antisemitism on the campus and accusations of plagiarism.
In a letter announcing her resignation, Gay said it was in the “best interests” of Harvard University for her to leave her position. Gay’s resignation as president of the university is the fastest in the Ivy League institution’s 388-year history — Gay became president last Summer.
“This is not a decision I came to easily. Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words,” she wrote in part.
Gay also said she had become the target of personal threats and “racial animus” following the backlash over her comments in response to antisemitism directed at students.
Several activists, including Rev. Al Sharpton responded to Gay’s resignation from the university on Tuesday saying it was “an assault on the health, strength and future of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
About 700 staff members shared their support for Gay retaining her position with the university.
More on the Harvard University antisemitism controversy and resignation of Claudine Gay.
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