Columbia University has recently faced a scandal involving three deans who have now resigned, as confirmed by a university spokesperson. The controversy began when text messages sent during a panel discussion on the experiences of Jewish students on May 31 raised concerns. Columbia President Minouche Shafik described the texts as troubling and containing antisemitic references.
Following the incident, the deans were stripped of their titles and placed on leave while an investigation took place. The university spokesperson did not specify when the resignations were submitted or when their last days would be.
This situation at Columbia is significant in the context of student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The university had to resort to remote learning and police intervention due to widespread campus demonstrations. The text messages exchanged among the deans were made public, shedding light on their perspectives and criticisms during the panel discussion.
The panel attended by the deans included notable figures such as David Schizer, Brian Cohen, Ian Rottenberg, and Rebecca Massel. The exchanges revealed comments from Chang-Kim, Kromm, and Patashnick that raised concerns about privilege, fundraising potential, and lack of community space for Jewish students.
While Columbia did not disclose the names of the staff members involved in the controversy, the fallout led to the resignation of Chang-Kim, Kromm, and Patashnick. However, Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, who was also part of the text exchanges, remained in his role despite criticism from Rep. Virginia Foxx.
Foxx expressed disappointment in the university’s handling of the situation, calling for more decisive actions. She emphasized that accountability is essential and suggested that all four deans should have been dismissed earlier. The departure of three deans, according to Foxx, was a step in the right direction, but more needed to be done to address the issue effectively.
In response to the scandal, Columbia announced plans to provide training programs on antisemitism and antidiscrimination for both employees and students. The university aims to address the concerns raised by the text messages and prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the situation continues to unfold, questions remain about Sorett’s future at Columbia and whether further actions will be taken regarding his involvement in the controversy. The aftermath of the texting scandal at Columbia serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding values of respect, inclusivity, and sensitivity in academic institutions.
