Three deans at Columbia University have resigned from their positions after they engaged in a texting exchange that “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”
Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer, Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, and Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, all have stepped down.
The resignations came after President Dr. Minouche Shafik and provost Angela Olinto wrote a letter on July 8 to the campus community that addressed actions taken against three administrators who were involved in the text message exchanges on May 31.
A Columbia student looks at damage to windows of a door at Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
JEWISH COLUMBIA STUDENT GROUP CLAIMS ‘ANTISEMITISM IS SHAPESHIFTING’ IN OPEN LETTER
“I am writing today to update our campus community on the actions the University is taking following an incident in which senior administrators in Columbia College engaged in very troubling text message exchanges during a Reunion Weekend event entitled ‘Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future,’” the letter reads.
The president explained further that the incident “revealed behavior and sentiments” that were “unprofessional” and “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”
Furthermore, Columbia University officials planned to launch a “vigorous program” of antisemitism and antidiscrimination training for faculty and staff in the fall.
Anti-Israel protestors hang signs from Columbia University in New York City on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Columbia announced earlier today that its campus would remain closed “until circumstances allow otherwise”, after students occupied Hamilton Hall early this morning. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm were “permanently removed” and had been placed on leave since June.
All three administrators criticized an antisemitism panel on May 31 in a text message exchange, The Washington Free Beacon first reported. Patashnick said one of the panelists was trying “to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.” Kromm texted vomiting emojis about a rabbi’s op-ed and wrote, “Amazing what $$$$ can do,” according to the Free Beacon.
At another point, Chang-Kim said Jewish students voicing concerns about antisemitism were doing so from “such a place of privilege.”
The texts eventually gained the attention of Congress, which has been investigating antisemitism on college campuses.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a flag on the rooftop of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York, US, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Columbia University was among several universities across the U.S. rocked by protests amid the Gaza conflict. The protests there escalated so strongly that police had to step on campus to eject students after they occupied Hamilton Hall, in a humiliating episode for the elite school.
Five Columbia students and graduates filed a class-action lawsuit last month against organizers and supporters of the anti-Israel encampments.
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Columbia University did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News’ Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.
