Claudine Gay, pictured throughout graduation ceremonies in May, stepped down as Harvard University’s president amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over her remarks at a congressional listening to in December.

Steven Senne/AP

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Steven Senne/AP

Claudine Gay, pictured throughout graduation ceremonies in May, stepped down as Harvard University’s president amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over her remarks at a congressional listening to in December.

Steven Senne/AP

Harvard University President Claudine Gay introduced Tuesday afternoon that she’s going to step apart, following new accusations of plagiarism. Her resignation comes simply six months after she was appointed within the high job.

A letter from Gay, the college’s first Black president, that was posted on Harvard’s web site learn partly:

“It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president. This is not a decision I came to easily. Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words because I have looked forward to working with so many of you to advance the commitment to academic excellence that has propelled this great university across centuries. But, after consultation with members of the Corporation, it has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual.”

Gay’s departure follows heightened scrutiny of allegations that she plagiarized components of a few of her revealed works and within the wake of a controversial look earlier than Congress final month.

At that Dec. 5 listening to, Gay, together with the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and MIT, struggled to offer clear solutions when requested about their insurance policies in circumstances the place college students advocate genocide in opposition to Jews. Penn’s president, Liz Magill, resigned after that testimony, however Harvard’s highest governing board initially rejected calls that Gay be eliminated.

In a statement Tuesday, Harvard’s governing board named Alan M. Garber, the college’s provost and chief educational officer, as interim president till a brand new chief is chosen.

“We thank President Gay for her deep and unwavering commitment to Harvard and to the pursuit of academic excellence,” stated the assertion from the Harvard Corporation. “While President Gay has acknowledged missteps and has taken responsibility for them, it is also true that she has shown remarkable resilience in the face of deeply personal and sustained attacks.”

On July 1, Gay turned the thirtieth president of Harvard, and the second girl to carry the place.