Claudine Guy, president of Harvard University, one of the most traditional universities in the United States, resigned on Tuesday (2).
She came under pressure to step down after testifying before the US Congress about anti-Semitism on campus. Since then, allegations have begun to emerge that she published academic articles containing plagiarized excerpts from other studies.
Jay has been in the position since July.
The controversy began after pro-Palestinian demonstrations organized by students at American universities. Jay and other American university presidents were summoned to testify before Congress.
During her testimony, Gay was asked whether demonstrations by Harvard students calling for the genocide of the Jewish people would constitute a violation of the university's harassment rules. Jay then said the following: “It could be that way, depending on the context.”. For Jay's opponents, the statement was evasive and insufficiently conclusive.
She later apologized for the ruling.
After her congressional testimony, accusations of plagiarism began to surface.
First, three of her academic articles were analysed. He concluded that they did not violate the search criteria, but that there were citations made in error. The Chair stated that she would request corrections.
In a second, two more accusations of citation problems in the president's 1997 doctoral dissertation surfaced.
On Monday (the first), new accusations emerged. Then she resigned.
In his resignation letter, Jay stated that “it is clear that what is best for Harvard is for me to resign and for our community to navigate these difficult times with a focus on the institution, not the individual.”
She also said it was unnerving for people to question their commitment to combating hate and academic rigor, which are “two values that are core to my character, and it is frightening to be the subject of personal attacks and threats motivated by whom.” racial prejudice.”
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