New Columbia President Faces Criticism Over Past Comments on Antisemitism and Campus Protests

Claire Shipman, Columbia University's third leader in two years, pledges to address ongoing challenges while facing scrutiny for dismissing congressional hearings and suggesting reinstating suspended student groups.

• Claire Shipman has been appointed acting president of Columbia University, becoming its third leader in two years following leadership resignations tied to antisemitism controversies and federal funding disputes.
• Shipman previously dismissed Republican-led congressional hearings on campus antisemitism as 'nonsense' in a 2023 text message, raising concerns about her approach to the issue.
• In the same text, Shipman suggested reinstating student groups suspended for participating in anti-Israel protests, further fueling criticism of her leadership stance.
• Columbia remains under federal scrutiny, with $400 million in federal funding revoked by the Trump administration contingent on compliance with mandated reforms addressing antisemitism and campus safety.
• In her first statement as acting president, Shipman pledged to build on existing plans to stabilize the university but provided limited details on how she intends to navigate the ongoing challenges.

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