3 Columbia University deans resign after
‘antisemitic tropes’ texts scandal: report
Three Columbia University deans who exchanged “very troubling” texts that “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes” are resigning from the elite school, officials said Thursday.
Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm — who were permanently removed from their administrative roles last month — will no longer serve at the Ivy League university, a Columbia spokesperson confirmed to The Post.
When the trio submitted their resignations is unclear. Columbia University would not provide additional details surrounding the sudden news, which was first reported by The New York Times.
Neither Chang-Kim, Patashnick nor Kromm responded to The Post’s request for comment.
The trio was put on indefinite leave in June after it was revealed they were embroiled in a disparaging and sarcastic text chain that unfolded during a panel discussion the month prior about antisemitism on campus stoked by Israel’s war against Hamas.
The thread — which included vomit emojis and accused Jewish students of asserting “privilege” — came to light when pictures an attendee snapped of one of the deans’ phones were circulated by The Washington Free Beacon.
“This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,” Columbia President Minouche Shafik said in a statement last month.
“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.”
It seems Shafik's attitude has improved considerably since Jewish donors have begun withdrawing financial support.
Antisemitism controversy at Columbia University: Key events
- More than 280 anti-Israel demonstrators were cuffed at Columbia and the City of New York campuses overnight in a “massive” NYPD operation.
- One hundred and nine people were nabbed at the Ivy League campus after cops responded to Columbia’s request to help oust a destructive mob that had illegally taken over the Hamilton Hall academic building late Tuesday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and police said.
- Hizzoner blamed the on-campus chaos on insurgents who have a “history of escalating situations and trying to create chaos” instead of protesting peacefully.
- Columbia’s embattled president Minouche Shafik, who has faced mounting calls to resign for not cracking down sooner, issued a statement Wednesday saying the on-campus violence had “pushed the university to the brink.”
- Columbia University president Minouche Shafik was accused of “gross negligence” while testifying before Congress. Shafik refused to say if the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is antisemitic.
- More than 100 Columbia professors signed a letter defending students who support the “military action” by Hamas.
Another dean, Josef Sorett, was also involved in the exchange but was allowed to remain in his post after issuing a public apology.
His profile was still listed on the university’s staff directory Thursday, while Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm’s were deleted.
Before their public suspensions, Chang-Kim served as the college’s vice dean and chief administrative officer; Patashnick as the associate dean for student and family support and Kromm as the dean of undergraduate student life.
None were considered faculty members and did not have tenured protections, The Times reported.
Shortly before the trio was permanently removed from their administrative roles last month, more than 2,000 students, alumni and parents signed a petition calling on the school to remove the involved deans.
“This incident exposes a profound issue at Columbia that cannot be dismissed. Failure to address this quickly can only be interpreted as a lack of seriousness and urgency in dealing with campus antisemitism within Columbia’s administration,” the petition stated.
The resignations come as Columbia continues to grapple with protests tied to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Early Thursday, pro-Palestine vandals drew hateful inverted triangle symbols, splattered red paint — and unleashed live crickets and mealworms — across a top Columbia University executive’s Brooklyn apartment building.
No suspects were immediately identified in the incident.
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