Three deans at Columbia University have resigned after a text message exchange that “disturbingly touched on long-standing anti-Semitic tropes.”
Associate dean and chief administrative officer Susan Chan Kim, associate dean for student and family support Matthew Patashnick and dean of undergraduate life Kristen Crome all resigned.
The resignations follow those of Rector Minouche Shafik and Vice-Rector Angela Olinto. I wrote a letter On July 8, a notice was sent to the campus community about the actions being taken against the three administrators involved in the May 31 text message exchange.
A Columbia University student checks for damage to windows and doors at Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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“I am writing today to update the campus community on the steps the University is taking following an incident in which a senior Columbia University administrator engaged in a highly troubling text message exchange during an alumni weekend event titled ‘Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future,'” the letter read.
The president went on to describe the incident as “unprofessional” and revealed behavior and sentiment that “disturbingly touched on long-standing anti-Semitic tropes.”
In addition, Columbia officials plan to launch an “aggressive program” of training for faculty and staff on anti-Semitism and anti-discrimination in the fall.
Anti-Israel protesters hold signs at Columbia University in New York City, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Columbia University announced today that its campus will remain closed “until conditions warrant” following student occupation of Hamilton Hall early this morning. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
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Chan Kim, Patashnick and Crom were “permanently removed” and had been on administrative leave since June.
The three administrators criticized the Anti-Semitism Committee in a text message exchange on May 31. Washington Free Beacon beginning “We were trying to make the most of this moment — the enormous fundraising potential,” Patashnick said, according to the report. According to the Free Beacon, Crome texted a vomiting emoji about the rabbi’s op-ed and wrote, “It’s amazing what money can do.”
Chan Kim also said Jewish students who raise concerns about anti-Semitism are doing so from a “position of great privilege.”
The documents eventually caught the attention of Congress, which has been investigating anti-Semitism on college campuses.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a flag on the roof of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York, USA. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Columbia University was among the universities across the US rocked by protests during the Gaza conflict, which escalated to the point where police had to storm campus to evict students after they occupied Hamilton Hall, a humiliating moment for the elite school.
Five Columbia University students and alumni filed a class-action lawsuit last month against organizers and supporters of the anti-Israel camp.
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Columbia University didn’t come back right away. Fox News Digital Request for Comments.
Fox News’ Nicholas Lanham contributed to this report.
