Howard University president Clauden Gay has resigned amidst accusations of plagiarism and backlash over her response during a congressional hearing regarding calls for the genocide of Jews on campus. In her resignation statement on Tuesday, Gay expressed her affection for Howard but acknowledged the distress over doubts cast on her commitment to confronting hate and maintaining academic rigor. She also revealed her distress at facing personal attacks and racial animosity-driven threats.
Appointed back in July 2023, Gay became Howard's first-ever black president in its 387-year history. However, recent controversies have marred her tenure. During a recent House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, she, alongside the president of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, faced criticism for her response to New York Representative Ali Stefanik's inquiry about calls for genocide against Jews.
For violating the college code of conduct, Gay's reply that contextualization matters and that when speech crosses into conduct that violates policies was met with intense criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Over 70 lawmakers, including two Democrats, demanded her resignation. Conversely, more than 700 Howard faculty members backed Gay in a supportive letter, but there was still significant contention against her.
Post-incident, Gay expressed regret to the Howard Crimson, admitting she failed to adequately condemn violent threats against Jewish students during the heated exchange. The fallout affected Howard's campus, causing Rabbi David WP's resignation from an anti-Semitism committee, feeling disheartened by the campus events and inadequate testimony during the hearing.
Gay's academic integrity also faced scrutiny by conservative activists who flagged potential plagiarism during her 1997 doctoral dissertation. Initially defended by Howard's governing board with minor citation issues found, subsequent revelations of additional duplicative language led to a review and correction request for her dissertation.
Expressing sadness over Gay's resignation, the Howard Corporation thanked her for her unwavering commitment to academic excellence. However, Gay's tenure will be marked by controversy, faculty resignations, and academic scrutiny, ultimately leading to her resignation from the prestigious institution.
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