Three deans at Columbia University recently resigned due to inappropriate texts that were deemed antisemitic. The scandal, known on campus as “Textgate,” came to light after the deans were found to have sent messages mocking students’ complaints of antisemitism during a panel discussion on Jewish life. The texts, which touched on ancient antisemitic tropes, were photographed by someone in attendance and later publicly released by a congressional committee investigating antisemitism at Columbia.
Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick, and Cristen Kromm, the three deans involved, made disparaging remarks about Jewish students, dismissing their complaints and suggesting ulterior motives. Despite being removed from their positions, the deans remained on staff until their recent resignations. President Nemat Shafik condemned their behavior, stating that it went against the university’s values.
Columbia senior Eden Yadegar expressed relief at the resignations, calling them long overdue. She described the texts as hurtful, especially coming from deans responsible for student inclusion and success. Yadegar, who has filed formal complaints against the deans in the past, is part of a lawsuit accusing Columbia of discriminatory behavior towards Jewish students. She criticized the lack of a proper apology from the deans and urged the university to address the culture of antisemitism on campus.
David M. Schizer, a dean emeritus at Columbia Law School and chair of the antisemitism task force, emphasized the need for a welcoming campus environment for all students, including Jewish and Israeli students. He acknowledged the existence of real problems at Columbia and stressed the importance of changing the campus culture to ensure inclusivity and respect for all.
The university has faced criticism following protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some Jewish students reporting a hostile environment. Columbia is currently under congressional investigation for its handling of complaints regarding antisemitism and is also facing a Department of Education inquiry into allegations of discrimination against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims. The incidents at Columbia highlight the ongoing challenges universities face in promoting diversity and combating discrimination on campus.
