TL/DR –
The Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers met on campus amid increased calls for President Claudine Gay to resign following her controversial congressional testimony. Gay has been criticized for refusing to directly answer questions about whether calls for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s policies on bullying and harassment. Over 70 Congressional members have signed a letter calling for Gay’s resignation, however, many Harvard faculty members have voiced support for Gay.
Harvard Corporation and Board of Overseers Hold Meeting Amid Calls for President’s Resignation
Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, the University’s governing bodies, held an ordinary meeting on campus on December 10, 2023, amid rising calls for President Claudine Gay’s resignation following her congressional testimony, according to insiders.
During a break between the meetings, Corporation Senior Fellow Penny S. Pritzker ’81 did not respond to questions about Gay’s position. Similarly, other board members, including Shirley M. Tilghman, remained silent.
Despite the regular timing of the meeting, the context in which it took place is far from ordinary.
Congressional Testimony Sparks Controversy
In a recent hearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Gay, University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill, and MIT President Sally A. Kornbluth evaded questions about Harvard’s bullying and harassment policies. The interaction gained widespread attention and Magill resigned on Saturday due to pressure from UPenn’s board of trustees.
Gay, who until recently only faced isolated calls for her resignation, is now under significant pressure to step down. On December 9, over 70 members of Congress, including two Democrats, formally requested Gay’s resignation.
Harvard Faculty Express Support for Gay
While the Corporation’s stance on Gay’s future remains unclear, an increasing number of faculty members have publicly supported Gay. The boards are expected to discuss the backlash to Gay’s testimony and decide on a potential public statement supporting the President they elected less than a year ago.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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