Columbia University suspends three administrators over text on antisemitic tropes
Columbia University has relieved three of its administrators from their posts for allegedly sending text messages that “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes” during a forum about Jewish issues.
The trio are Cristen Kromm, formerly the dean of undergraduate student life; Matthew Patashnick, formerly the associate dean for student and family support; and Susan Chang-Kim, formerly the vice dean and chief administrative officer,
They were accused of having exchanged text messages in May this year.
The allegations were contained in a letter sent to the university community by the Columbia officials on Monday.
Columbian President Nemat Shafik described the sentiments in the text messages as “unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community.”
Ms Shafik said the messages were all antithetical to the university’s values and standards.
She explained that administrators are still employed by the university but have been placed on indefinite leave and will not return to their previous jobs.
The sanctions against the three administrators are the latest fallout from an incident that some Columbia alumni have referred to as “Textgate.”
Columbia University announced, however, that the students, faculty and staff members would now undergo the required anti-discrimination training,, which would focus on antisemitism beginning this fall.
The latest announcement came a few months after a conservative website published photos that showed some of the text messages sent by the administrators.
It also followed weeks of unrest at Columbia over the war in Gaza as the university emerged as the centre of a nationwide protest movement.
On May 31, in the aftermath of a students’ protest called to address antisemitism on college campuses, Columbia hosted during its reunion weekend a panel discussion called “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future.”
Antisemitism on college campuses has become a top issue for Republican lawmakers in Washington.
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