Rebuilding relationships, trust and accountability at Columbia University

"[The behaviour and sentiments exhibited in the messages were troubling and unprofessional and] touched on ancient antisemitic tropes."

"Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University's values and the standards we must uphold in our community."

Minouch Shafik, president, Columbia University 

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce requested that Columbia release the text messages from the deans involved in the scandal.  (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Three Columbia University administrators have now been permanently removed from their administrative roles, placed on indefinite leave in recognition of texts they sent and exchanged during an alumni weekend event dedicated to Jewish life on campus. This, at a troubling time of student groups professing pro-Palestinian sympathy and attitudes of anti-Israel biases following the October 7 atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel that resulted in the Israel Defense Forces invading Gaza to prevent any future bloodbaths Gazan terrorists promised to impose on Israel.

 

The president of Columbia wrote a message to the campus community expressing her outrage and disappointment at the values and expressions committed by some of the university's students. Antisemitism appears to have thrived at Columbia University. The campus was taken over by protesters citing the Israel-Gaza war. A hugely consequential event that has seen similar protests break out at colleges across the U.S. and Canada, shutting down normal academic operations.

A rabbi at Columbia in April cautioned Jewish students at the university that for their safety and security they were advised to return home and pursue their studies remotely. The Free Beacon last month published photographs of texts that were exchanged during a panel discussion on Jewish life that took place between university administrators Josef Sorett, dean of Columbia College; Susan Chang-Kim, a vice dean of Columbia College; Cristen Kromm, dean of Undergraduate student life; and Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support. 

The exchanged messages notably were dismissive of the remarks uttered by the featured speakers relating to campus antisemitism. One of the deans in one example, sent a vomit emoji referring to a campus rabbi's op-ed on antisemitism, according to reports in the Free Beacon. President Shafik stated that Sorett would write to the Columbia College community in apology and to outline measures he plans to take to rebuild trust.

The university, went on President Shafik, would launch vigorous antisemitism and anti-discrimination training for faculty and staff with related training for students, scheduled for the fall. The university's provost, Angela V. Olinto, wrote as well to the campus community, adding her dismay to Shafik's, at the kind of conduct she referenced as contrary to the institution's values. She planned to work with Sorett to "mend relationships, repair trust, and rebuild accountability".

A New York City police officer looks over the center of Columbia University ahead of a large graduation ceremony in May, following weeks of pro-Palestinian protests. Seth Wenig/AP