'No Confidence' In Columbia University President After Protests: Vote

NEW YORK CITY — Columbia University President Minouche Shafik suffered a fresh rebuke for her leadership during of pro-Palestinian protests.

The Ivy League's arts and sciences faculty passed a vote of "no confidence" against Shafik, with 65 percent supporting the resolution, officials said Thursday.

Shafik has faced a raft of criticism amid the protests — including for twice calling in the NYPD to perform crackdowns — but the vote represented the harshest official disapproval against her.

Still, the non-binding vote doesn't imperil Shafik's job.

"Some voiced the opinion that voting for the resolution of no confidence need not be understood as calling for the resignation of the president, and the text of the statement does not propose resignation as the desired outcome," wrote Amy Hungerford, dean and executive vice president of Columbia's arts and science faculty, in a letter.

A university official noted the vote represented only a fraction of the school's more than 4,600 full-time faculty.

About 900 arts and sciences faculty participated in the vote, and 65 percent of those said they had no confidence in Shafik's leadership, according to tallies released by officials.

"President Shafik continues to consult regularly with members of the community, including faculty, administration, and trustees, as well as with state, city, and community leaders," said Ben Chang, spokesperson for Columbia University, in a statement.

"She appreciates the efforts of those working alongside her on the long road ahead to heal our community."