Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied lawns and buildings at the university. This led to the police, equipped with riot shields and batons, entering and clearing an occupied building on the university campus. A large number of people were arrested.
Minouche Shafik was one of several university rectors who were called to Congress for questioning earlier this year. She was heavily criticized by Republicans who accused her of not making enough of an effort to stop anti-Semitism at the university.
In an email where she announced her resignation, Shafik admitted that the protests were partly behind the decision.
"This period has taken a toll on my family, as well as others in society. During the summer, I have had the opportunity to reflect and decided that my decision to move on would enable Columbia to best face the challenges ahead", writes Shafik in the email.
