Here is the text of her resignation letter:

Good evening. This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this University. Each time I have done so to discuss with you some matter that I believe affected the student interest.

I would have preferred to carry through to the finish whatever the personal agony it would have involved, and my family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interest of the University must always come before any personal considerations.

From the discussions I have had with alumni and other administrators, I have concluded that because of the plagiarism matter I might not have the support of the student body that I would consider necessary to back the very difficult decisions and carry out the duties of this office in the way the interests of the University would require.

I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my job is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of Harvard first.

Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

I’d not been following this story closely because it all seemed so utterly inconsequential. I couldn’t understand why anyone was this angry that she followed a lawyers advice at a formal hearing.

Now I see that she’s black in an important locus of elite power and it suddenly makes a lot more sense.