USC President Carol Folt to retire after tenure marred by pro-Hamas protests

The president of the University of Southern California will step down in July, ending a tenure marred by criticism over the school’s tolerance of anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas protests on campus.

Carol Folt, 73, took over the leadership reins in 2019 and is expected to return to campus as a tenured professor. The Los Angeles Times reported,

“After more than twenty years of leadership at three great universities,” Folt wrote in a letter announcing his departure.

“I am excited to embrace the freedom that comes with the next great leap forward and to hand the reins to the next President who will be able to build on our accomplishments and create a new chapter for this extraordinary institution.”

Doubts had grown over Folt’s stay at the helm after the school’s board of trustees offered him an extension to his five-year contract – but did not disclose the terms or length of the new agreement.

Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel – which killed 1,200 civilians – the USC campus has been a center of the pro-Hamas organization and movement.

In April, police dispersed a student protest Which led to 93 arrestsAnd due to the construction of the campus, the university’s main stage graduation ceremony had to be canceled Overtaken by Hamas supporters.

Muslim concluding speech also had to be criticized On security concerns about what she can say He was accused of promoting “anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic rhetoric”.

Suzanne Nora Johnson, chair of USC’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for Folt’s time in office.

“His dedication to solving the difficult issues facing him – whether past or present – ​​has never hindered his focus on what comes next,” he said in a statement.