Three Columbia University administrators have resigned following their removal from positions due to their involvement in text messages containing antisemitic tropes, a university spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
The resignations come after 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, were placed on indefinite leave last month. The controversial texts were sent during a May event focused on Jewish life at the university.
A fourth dean, Josef Sorett, who was also involved in the text exchanges, will remain at the university. Unlike the three deans who resigned, Sorett holds a tenured position.
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The texts, which were first reported by the New York Times, included messages with “vomit emojis” in response to an op-ed about antisemitism by Columbia’s campus rabbi. The Free Beacon published photos of these texts in June, prompting further scrutiny.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has released copies of the text exchanges as part of its investigation into antisemitism. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik addressed the issue last month.
She said that the “incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient anti-Semitic tropes.” Their behavious was “unacceptable and deepy upsetting,” she said.
The university has faced increased scrutiny and protests over its handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and allegations of antisemitism on campus.
Three Columbia Deans, Who Sent Controversial Anti-Semitic Text Messages, Resign world-news, us World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
