Three Columbia University deans are fired over 'acutely painful' text exchanges that 'touched on ancient anti-Semitic tropes' during a meeting where Jewish students discussed anti-Semitism on campus
- The trio were texting during an event regarding Jewish student safety
- Columbia became a hotbed of anti-Semitic activity in the wake of October 7
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Three members of Columbia University's hierarchy have been 'permanently removed' from their roles after a leaked text exchange showed them engaging in a conversation that 'touched on ancient anti-Semitic tropes.'
The texting occurred during a meeting in May at the Ivy League school in which Jewish students described the anti-Semitism that they were experiencing on campus in the wake of Hamas' brutal assault on Israel on October 7.
The trio were put on leave, according to a letter from Columbia President Minouche Shafik and University Provost Angela Olinto that was sent to members of the school community in Monday.
The three in question are former Associate Dean for Student and Family Support Matthew Patashnick, Vice Dean and Chief Administrative Officers Susan Chang-Kim and former Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Cristen Kromm.
The existence of the exchange was first reported by the conservative outlet Washington Free Beacon in June.
The meeting was titled Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future. It took place on May 31.
Portions of the text messages sent by the three deans that were released by congress last week
The text messages that have since been publicly released include Chang-Kim's words: 'Comes from such a place of privilege… hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center. Huh??'
Kromm responds: 'Amazing what $$$$ can do,' while talking about an op-ed that was published in the school's Columbia Spectator newspaper.
The messages were later published as part of an investigation by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Dean of Columbia College Josef Sorett was also on the text thread but did not participate as much.
'This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,' Shafik told the school's community.
'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.'
Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx told the Columbia Spectator that the removal of the three in question does not go far enough as ''elite" institutions are rotting away and antisemitism is as rampant as ever. Students deserve better.'
Deans Susan Chang-Kim, (left), Cristen Kromm (center), and Matthew Pataschnick (right) have been placed on leave after their texts were exposed
The emergence of the texts has sparked outrage on the campus, which was rocked by months-long anti-Israel protests in the wake of its war with Hamas
The school became beset with encampments of protesters demanding the school cut ties with Israel
In the next academic year, staff will undergo antisemitism training, Shafik wrote in her letter.
'While this disturbing incident has presented us challenges as a community, Columbia's leadership team recognizes this as an important moment to implement changes that will build a stronger institution as a result,' the embattled president said.
'I know that you all share this commitment.'
An open letter from alumni, students and staff at Columbia demanding action be taken against the officials has garnered nearly 2,000 signatures.
Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett, whose text messages were among those published by the Free Beacon, will continue to lead the college after apologizing and committing to working to fix damage caused by the text exchanges, Olinto said.
He and his administration will be expected to 'deliver concrete change in combating antisemitism and discrimination and creating a fully inclusive environment,' Olinto wrote.
'While not intended as such, some of the text messages exchanged may call to mind antisemitic tropes,' Sorett said in a letter Monday to the Columbia College community.
'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 continued.
He said 'the loss of trust and the pain this incident has caused, particularly to the Jewish members of our community, must be fully repaired.'
Just a month before this text message conversation, Columbia found itself at the epicenter of national protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
The protesters had seized the administration building, known as Hamilton Hall before being forcefully removed by the NYPD.
At that time, Republican lawmakers in the Big Apple issued a letter demanding that Shafik resign as president,
When she arrived at Columbia last year, Shafik was the first woman to take on the role of president and one of several women newly appointed to take the reins at Ivy League institutions.
Her experience in finance, rather than academia, puts her in line with more and more university leaders who come from nonfaculty backgrounds.
After obtaining her master's degree at the London School of Economics, she went on to earn a doctorate at Oxford University. She rose through the ranks at the World Bank, eventually becoming the bank's youngest-ever vice president.
Shafik also worked at the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, followed by stints at the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England, before taking over the leadership of the London School of Economics.
