The Harvard Corporation, the highest governing body at Harvard University, has expressed support for the university’s president, Claudine Gay, following calls for her removal.
Driving the news: President Gay faced criticism for her remarks during a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses, where she, along with the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and MIT, were questioned by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
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- Congresswoman Stefanik pressed the presidents for a clear response regarding their university’s code of conduct violation in calling for the genocide of Jews. Their various responses were criticized for not being unequivocal enough in condemning calls for genocide.
- More than 70 lawmakers, along with Harvard donors and some faculty members, called for the removal of the three university presidents.
- The Harvard Corporation issued a statement in support of President Gay, stating, “In this tumultuous and difficult time, we unanimously stand in support of President Gay.”
The backstory: President Liz Magill of the University of Pennsylvania resigned following the backlash, though she had faced criticism even before the hearing.
- The House committee on education and the workforce has announced an official congressional investigation into antisemitism at Harvard.
- President Gay issued an apology for her response during the congressional testimony in an interview with the Harvard Crimson.
- Over 700 faculty members signed a petition backing President Gay, and the Harvard Alumni Association’s executive committee also declared its support for her leadership.
