Columbia removes 3 deans for texts that touched on "antisemitic tropes"
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Pro-Palestinian student protestors camp at Columbia University on April 30. Photo: Mary Altaffer/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Three Columbia University administrators were removed from their positions for engaging in text messages that "disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes," university officials said in a letter Monday.
The big picture: Columbia was propelled into the spotlight for being a catalyst to nationwide protests on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war, and administrators faced scrutiny for how they handled the demonstrations.
- The university is also dealing with investigations over alleged antisemitic and anti-Palestinian discrimination.
Driving the news: Columbia said it is holding administrators accountable for engaging in "very troubling text message exchanges" during a May event regarding Jewish life on campus and permanently removed them from their positions at the college and placed them on leave.
- One of the text messages included "vomit emojis to describe an op-ed about anti-Semitism by Columbia's campus rabbi," the Free Beacon reported last month, publishing photos of the exchange.
- The House Committee on Education and the Workforce last week released copies of text exchanges as part of its ongoing investigation into antisemitism.
- It publicly identified those involved as Cristen Kromm, former dean of undergraduate student life, Matthew Patashnick, former associate dean for student and family support, and Susan Chang-Kim, former vice dean and chief administrative officer,
- One stated "Amazing what $$$$ can do'' in reference to the campus rabbi's op-ed, according to the messages released by the House panel.
- Kromm and Patashnick did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment and Chang-Kim could not be immediately reached for comment.
Worth noting: Josef Sorett, dean of Columbia College, was also involved with the text exchange but was not placed on leave, per university provost Angela Olinto.
- "Dean Sorett and I will work together to mend relationships, repair trust, and rebuild accountability," Olinto wrote in a letter to the campus community, adding that Sorett has apologized and taken full responsibility.
- More than 1,440 Columbia community members have signed a petition calling for Sorett's ouster, saying he and the three others "are not fit to serve as deans of Columbia College and should be removed from their positions immediately."
What they're saying: "This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes," university president Minouche Shafik said in a statement.
- "Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University's values and the standards we must uphold in our community," she added.
Sorett said in an online message to students that the "entire incident was contrary to the values" of the university.
- "While not intended as such, some of the text messages exchanged may call to mind antisemitic tropes," he continued.
- "Any language that demeans members of our community, or divides us from one another, is simply unacceptable. I am deeply sorry that this happened in a community that I lead and, that I was part of any of the exchanges, and I pledge to spearhead the change we need to ensure this never happens again," Sorett added.
- "I continue to learn from this experience and understand the impact that my texts, as well as those between my staff, have had on our community."
Go deeper: Education Dept. probes Columbia over alleged anti-Palestinian discrimination
