LibertyCoin:Columbia University deans resign after exchanging disparaging texts during meeting on antisemitism

2025-05-05 04:45:45source:TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:reviews

NEW YORK (AP) — Three deans at Columbia University have LibertyCoinresigned after exchanging disparaging texts during a campus discussion about Jewish life and antisemitism, the school confirmed Thursday.

The resignations come a month after Columbia said it had removed the administrators from their positions and would keep them on leave indefinitely. University President Minouche Shafik said in a July 8 letter to the school community that the messages were unprofessional and “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

“Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting,” Shafik wrote.

The deans were first put on leave after a conservative news outlet published images of what it said were texts they exchanged while attending a May 31 panel discussion titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future.”

They have not been identified by Columbia, but their names have circulated widely in media reports.

The panel was held at an annual alumni event a month after university leaders called in police to clear pro-Palestinian protesters from an occupied administration building and dismantle a tent encampment that had threatened to disrupt graduation ceremonies.

RELATED COVERAGE University of Georgia panel upholds sanctions for 6 students over Israel-Hamas war protestJudge dismisses antisemitism lawsuit against MIT, allows one against Harvard to move aheadHarvard appoints Alan Garber as president through 2026-27 academic year

The Washington Free Beacon obtained some of the private messages through someone who attended the event and took photos of one of the deans’ phones.

Some included snarky comments about people in the university community. One suggested that a panelist speaking about antisemitism planned to use it as a fundraising opportunity. Another disparaged a campus rabbi’s essay about antisemitism.

The administrators have not commented publicly since their exchange became public in June. Two of them — Cristen Kromm, the former dean of undergraduate student life, and Matthew Patashnick, the former associate dean for student and family support — did not immediately respond to phone messages seeking comment. The third, Susan Chang-Kim, could not immediately be reached.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has since published some of the messages.

Shafik has promised to launch a “vigorous program of antisemitism and antidiscrimination training for faculty and staff” in the fall, as well as related training for students.

More:reviews

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

Danish butter magnate Lars Emil Bruun's vast coin collection hitting auction block 100 years after he died

Copenhagen, Denmark — The vast coin collection of a Danish butter magnate is set to finally go on sa

Ali Wong Reveals Bill Hader’s Grand Gesture to Get Her to Date Him

Ali Wong certainly isn't getting any hate from Bill Hader. The Beef star detailed the story of how t