Three Columbia University deans have resigned following the revelation of text messages containing disparaging remarks about Jewish panelists during a campus forum in May, a university spokeswoman confirmed last Thursday.
The deans, who held responsibilities in undergraduate student affairs, exchanged sarcastic and critical messages during a two-hour event addressing Jewish issues on campus. The texts, which Columbia's president Nemat Shafik described as touching on "ancient antisemitic tropes," included suggestions that a Jewish speaker was exaggerating concerns for fundraising purposes and reactions with vomit emojis to mentions of a rabbi's opinion piece.
The resigning administrators are Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer of the college; Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life; and Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support. None held tenured positions.
A fourth dean involved in the exchange, Josef Sorett, who is tenured, will remain at the university. Dr. Sorett, dean of Columbia College and a scholar on religion and race, had previously apologized for his participation in the text conversation.
The incident, dubbed "textgate" by some alumni, has been a significant embarrassment for Columbia's administration as it attempts to address concerns about antisemitism on campus. It comes at a time when the university is preparing for potential pro-Palestinian activism in the fall semester.
In a separate incident highlighting ongoing tensions, vandals attacked the Brooklyn Heights apartment building of Columbia's chief operating officer, Cas Holloway, early Thursday morning. The attack involved red paint, insects released in the lobby, and posters criticizing Holloway's role in campus policing decisions.
President Shafik announced in July new measures to address campus conflicts, including a mediation process for protest-related issues and a review of demonstration rules. Discussions about expanding campus police powers are also underway, though no formal proposal has been presented.
The texting scandal came to light in June when an attendee at the May 31 forum on Jewish campus life shared photographs of one dean's cellphone with The Washington Free Beacon. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which is investigating antisemitism on college campuses, later released a transcript of the exchanges.
Jewish student leaders expressed dismay at the incident. Elisha Baker, a junior and leader of a pro-Israel campus group, said the texts "totally delegitimized the strategy of listening sessions" and confirmed fears that administrators were not taking their concerns seriously.
As Columbia prepares for the new academic year, the university faces ongoing challenges in balancing free speech, campus safety, and addressing concerns of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
* The New York Times contributed to this article.
