Columbia University has taken decisive action against three staff members who were implicated in a scandal involving the dissemination of text messages that propagated "ancient antisemitic tropes.
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The university has confirmed that these individuals have been "permanently removed" from their positions.
As reported by Fox News, the offensive messages were discovered to have been sent during a reunion event titled "Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future." Columbia University President Minouche Shafik expressed her condemnation of the incident in a letter addressed to the university community on Monday. She described the exchange as "unacceptable and deeply upsetting," emphasizing that it underscored the disregard for the negative experiences reported by members of the Jewish community.
In response to this incident, the university has announced plans to initiate a comprehensive program of antisemitism and anti-discrimination training for faculty and staff in the upcoming fall semester. Shafik expressed her belief that this incident, while disturbing, provides an opportunity for the university to implement changes that will strengthen the institution. "While this disturbing incident has presented us challenges as a community, Columbia's leadership team recognizes this as an important moment to implement changes that will build a stronger institution as a result. I know that you all share this commitment," she wrote.
Dean Josef Sorett, one of the implicated staff members, issued a personal apology in a separate letter on Monday. He expressed his remorse for the incident, stating, "I am deeply sorry that this happened in a community that I lead and that I was part of any of the exchanges, and I pledge to spearhead the change we need to ensure this never happens again."
The New York Post identified the three dismissed administrators as Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick, and Cristen Kromm, who have been on leave for the past month. This incident follows a report from a Columbia University task force on campus antisemitism, which highlighted a series of unsettling incidents at the prestigious Ivy League institution. The report detailed instances of "harassment of Jewish students" and antisemitic comments made by professors, including one who advised his class to shun mainstream media due to its supposed Jewish ownership.
The task force's report also revealed a pattern of anti-Jewish bias at the Manhattan-based university, which has been the site of anti-Israel protests since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre. Jewish and Israeli students reported feeling "targeted and ostracized" on campus and singled out in classrooms. The report also noted that professors frequently encouraged students to participate in anti-Israel protests, with some even offering extra credit or holding classes at protest sites.
Columbia University has yet to respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the matter. This report was supplemented by contributions from Fox News' Yael Halon.
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