Three Columbia University deans resigned after being suspended for text messages that "touched on ancient antisemitic tropes," the institution's president said, according to the Washington Examiner. Their exchange happened during a panel discussion titled "The Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future" on May 31.
The individuals were Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, and Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer. The trio had been placed on leave last month after the story broke.
The Washington Free Beacon released the photos of the messages that sparked the controversy. " In leaked text messages obtained by the Free Beacon, top Columbia administrators—including the dean of the college—mocked and dismissed concerns about anti-Semitism on campus and even used vomit emojis to refer to a Columbia rabbi’s op-ed," reporter Aaron Sibarium captioned the messages.
NEW: In leaked text messages obtained by the Free Beacon, top Columbia administrators—including the dean of the college—mocked and dismissed concerns about anti-Semitism on campus and even used vomit emojis to refer to a Columbia rabbi’s op-ed.
Scoop w/@elianayjohnson.🧵 pic.twitter.com/BXC4fBQPHO
— Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) June 13, 2024
The event that the deans were messaging about was arranged because of the campus protests against Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Jewish students expressed concerns about the hate and vitriol directed at them by these protesters, but the deans found this tiresome.
"Comes from such a place of privilege. Trying to be open minded to understand but the doors are closing," Chang-Kim wrote about a Jewish student's experience.
The students were pouring their hearts out after feeling threatened on campus, Fox News reported. "People have been saying for a while now that they don't feel safe, and a lot of that had to do with the rhetoric," Columbia University junior Parker Stein said in April.
"I want to be clear right now: this has now gotten into physical safety. I no longer feel physically safe on my campus," Stein added.
Another Jewish student, Elisha Baker, also complained that the university tolerated the anti-Jewish sentiments and created a hostile atmosphere. "We've been calling this out for six months now… and now we see what happens when you don't shut down antisemitic rhetoric, and you allow these people to feel entitled," Baker said.
To its credit, Columbia University denounced the actions of its deans in a letter to the community on July 8. "This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes," university president Minouche Shafik wrote.
"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," the letter continued. Shafik promised that those involved would face consequences.
Notably, CNN reported that Columbia College dean Josef Sorett was also involved in the chat and taxed "LMAO" in response to one of the messages in question. Sorrett has apologized and remains at the university, while the other three have not expressed any remorse.
For all of the left's talk about tolerance, they are quick to show their prejudice against the Jewish people when the opportunity presents itself. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has flushed out people who hold these despicable views, and they seem unapologetic.
It's encouraging that Columbia University is taking this situation seriously and protecting its Jewish students from this kind of hate. However, it's telling that this has been allowed to flourish just under the noses of the supposedly enlightened elite there.
