Read Claudine Gay’s Resignation Letter

Pricey Members of the Harvard Neighborhood,

It’s with a heavy coronary heart however a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will likely be stepping down as president. This isn’t a call I got here to simply. Certainly, it has been troublesome past phrases as a result of I’ve appeared ahead to working with so lots of you to advance the dedication to tutorial excellence that has propelled this nice college throughout centuries. However, after session with members of the Company, it has change into clear that it’s in one of the best pursuits of Harvard for me to resign in order that our neighborhood can navigate this second of extraordinary problem with a concentrate on the establishment somewhat than any particular person.

It’s a singular honor to be a member of this college, which has been my residence and my inspiration for many of my skilled profession. My deep sense of connection to Harvard and its folks has made it all of the extra painful to witness the tensions and divisions which have riven our neighborhood in latest months, weakening the bonds of belief and reciprocity that ought to be our sources of power and help in occasions of disaster. Amidst all of this, it has been distressing to have doubt forged on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigor — two bedrock values which are basic to who I’m — and scary to be subjected to private assaults and threats fueled by racial animus.

I imagine within the folks of Harvard as a result of I see in you the chance and the promise of a greater future. These final weeks have helped clarify the work we have to do to construct that future — to fight bias and hate in all its types, to create a studying atmosphere wherein we respect one another’s dignity and deal with each other with compassion, and to affirm our enduring dedication to open inquiry and free expression within the pursuit of reality. I imagine we have now inside us all that we have to heal from this era of pressure and division and to emerge stronger. I had hoped with all my coronary heart to steer us on that journey, in partnership with all of you. As I now return to the school, and to the scholarship and instructing which are the lifeblood of what we do, I pledge to proceed working alongside you to construct the neighborhood all of us deserve.

After I grew to become president, I thought-about myself notably blessed by the chance to serve folks from all over the world who noticed in my presidency a imaginative and prescient of Harvard that affirmed their sense of belonging — their sense that Harvard welcomes folks of expertise and promise, from each background possible, to be taught from and develop with each other. To all of you, please know that these doorways stay open, and Harvard will likely be stronger and higher as a result of they do.

As we welcome a brand new 12 months and a brand new semester, I hope we will all look ahead to brighter days. Unhappy as I’m to be sending this message, my hopes for Harvard stay undimmed. When my transient presidency is remembered, I hope will probably be seen as a second of reawakening to the significance of striving to seek out our widespread humanity — and of not permitting rancor and vituperation to undermine the very important technique of training. I belief we’ll all discover methods, on this time of intense problem and controversy, to recommit ourselves to the excellence, the openness, and the independence which are essential to what our college stands for — and to our capability to serve the world.

Sincerely,Claudine Homosexual