Columbia University Deans Placed on Leave after Antisemitic Text Messages Surface

Three associate deans and administrators at Columbia University have been placed on leave after screenshots of their disparaging text messages during an antisemitism panel were shared online.

Three high-ranking administrators at Columbia University have been placed on administrative leave following a scandal involving antisemitic text messages sent during an antisemitism panel. Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick, and Cristen Kromm, all associate deans and administrators at the Ivy League institution, have been placed under investigation pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The controversy erupted when screenshots of the private group chat were leaked and widely shared on social media, sparking outrage and condemnation. The messages, which were exchanged during a May 31 panel discussion on antisemitism, included vomit emojis and dismissive comments about the event.

Columbia University Deans Placed on Leave after Antisemitic Text Messages Surface

"This is difficult to listen to but I'm trying to keep an open mind to learn about this point of view," Chang-Kim texted Josef Sorett, the Dean of Columbia College, according to the leaked screenshots.

"Yup," Sorett replied, indicating a dismissive attitude towards the panel.

Columbia University Deans Placed on Leave after Antisemitic Text Messages Surface

Sorett has since apologized and expressed his commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful campus environment. However, unlike his colleagues who have been placed on leave, he has not been removed from his position.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has requested that Columbia release the full text messages from the deans involved in the scandal. The committee's Republican chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx, expressed dismay and concern over the incident.

Columbia University Deans Placed on Leave after Antisemitic Text Messages Surface

"I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, to learn Columbia administrators exchanged disparaging text messages during a panel that discussed antisemitism at the University," Foxx said in a statement.

Columbia University has a well-documented history of antisemitism on campus. In recent years, the university has been the site of several high-profile protests by pro-Palestinian student groups, which have often been accompanied by anti-Israel rhetoric and aggression.

On several occasions, police have been called to campus to quell protests and prevent disruptions to university operations. In 2022, the school was embroiled in a controversy over a professor's alleged antisemitic comments in a classroom discussion.

Columbia University has issued a statement condemning the actions of the administrators involved in the text message scandal and reiterating its commitment to combatting antisemitism on campus.

"We are committed to combatting antisemitism and taking sustained, concrete action to ensure Columbia is a campus where Jewish students and everyone in our community feels safe, valued, and able to thrive," the university said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further action may be taken depending on the findings. The scandal has cast a shadow over Columbia University, raising questions about the institution's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.