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Columbia Appoints Acting President Amid Pressure, Resignations

3/29/2025

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Summary

Columbia's New Leadership

Columbia University has named Claire Shipman as acting president following Katrina Armstrong's resignation, spurred by pressure from the Trump administration over campus protests. In a bid to secure $400 million in federal funding, the university is making substantial changes, igniting fears for academic freedom. Similarly, leaders at Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies are resigning under mounting scrutiny.

Summary

Harvard's Leadership Change

Harvard University has taken a bold step by dismissing the director and associate director of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies due to serious allegations of antisemitism and bias against Israel. While Cemal Kafadar and Rosie Bsheer will continue as faculty, Salmaan Keshavjee steps in as interim director, reflecting the growing scrutiny from the Trump administration on university policies.

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Columbia's New Leadership

Columbia University has named Claire Shipman as acting president following Katrina Armstrong's resignation, spurred by pressure from the Trump administration over campus protests. In a bid to secure $400 million in federal funding, the university is making substantial changes, igniting fears for academic freedom. Similarly, leaders at Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies are resigning under mounting scrutiny.

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