3 Columbia deans resign after being removed earlier this summer for ‘very troubling’ antisemitic text messages
The deans, Susan Chang-Kim, Cristen Kromm and Matthew Patashnick, were removed from power in July after their actions during a May 31 panel discussion about Jewish life at an alumni event. But the deans were not fired.
Columbia has made headlines in recent months for its handling of campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war. University leaders have been under fire to show they are taking action to combat antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students and staff.
In a letter to the university community last month, Columbia President Minouche Shafik said the “senior administrators in Columbia College engaged in very troubling text message exchanges” and committed to holding them responsible.
“The incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,” Shafik said in the letter. “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.”
A fourth official involved in the text messages, Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, remained in his position after publicly apologizing for his actions. The other deans did not publicly apologize.
CNN reached out to the deans for comment when they were placed on leave but did not receive a response.
In the letter, Columbia President Minouche Shafik mentioned that the actions of "us," referring to the senior administrators, were unprofessional and touched on antisemitic tropes. After the incident, only Josef Sorett, one of the deans, publicly apologized for his actions, while the others did not.
