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Harvard president Claudine Gay, a Black woman wearing black-framed glasses, at a congressional hearing in December.

Harvard University president Claudine Gay announced her resignation Tuesday.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Harvard University president Claudine Gay will reportedly step down today following a firestorm of controversy in recent weeks related to allegations of plagiarism as well as a widely criticized appearance in a House hearing on antisemitism in higher education in early December.

The news was first reported by The Harvard Crimson.

“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,” Gay said in a statement announcing her resignation, CNBC reported Tuesday. “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,” she said.

Gay made headlines in late 2022 when she was the first Black woman hired to lead Harvard. Now her departure will come after roughly six months on the job—the shortest tenure in Harvard’s history.

She is stepping down despite a recent statement of support from the Harvard Corporation.

Harvard provost Alan Garber will serve as interim president, The Boston Globe reported.

(This is a developing story.)

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