Barnard College’s President, Laura Rosenbury, has faced a huge rebuke from the faculty, with a staggering 77% of participating professors voting in a no-confidence motion against her leadership.
This historic vote, the first of its kind in the college’s history, comes in the middle of growing criticism over the administration’s handling of a pro-Palestine encampment that has sparked a national movement and drawn political scrutiny.
The Barnard chapter of the American Association for University Professors (AAUP) had unanimously recommended the no-confidence vote, citing the college’s decision to suspend students involved in Columbia’s Gaza solidarity encampment, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).
The students, over 50 in number, were suspended without formal eviction notices, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and homelessness, as described by Isra Hirsi in an interview with Teen Vogue.
Laura Rosenbury (Credits: Barnard College)
The AAUP’s recommendation was based on five key claims, including the administration’s lack of care for students, poor governance and violations of academic freedom and freedom of expression, administrative chaos, and disregard for Barnard culture.
The college has yet to address these claims directly, instead issuing a statement acknowledging the faculty vote and reaffirming their commitment to free speech, academic freedom, and inclusivity.
While the no-confidence vote does not remove Rosenbury from her position, it adds to the mounting pressure on the university administration, which is already facing political heat from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Barnard College’s Ninth President (Credits: X.com)
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has been called upon to resign if the protests cannot be quickly resolved, and school leadership is considering expulsions and legal action against the demonstrators.
The protests, which have spread nationwide, have resulted in hundreds of student arrests and demands for universities to divest from Israeli interests and the defense industry. As the situation comes to light, the faculty’s no-confidence vote serves as a powerful rebuke of the administration’s handling of the crisis and a call for change.
