Columbia University has opted against terminating the four deans involved in a controversial exchange of caustic and derogatory text messages during an alumni panel focused on anti-Semitism. Instead, the university will reassign three of them—Susan Chang-Kim, Cristen Kromm, and Matthew Patashnick—while allowing Josef Sorett, the most senior administrator among them and dean of Columbia College, to remain in his position.
The Washington Free Beacon reported the incident, providing examples of the alleged text exchanges. These included a message suggesting a panelist might have used recent campus protests as a fundraising opportunity and another message critiquing a campus rabbi’s essay on anti-Semitism.
The decision not to let them go comes after discussions with university president Minouche Shafik. According to sources familiar with the matter, Sorett’s continuation in his role is contingent upon issuing a comprehensive apology and undergoing anti-Semitism training. In a statement on Monday, Sorett expressed remorse, acknowledging the impact of the texts exchanged by him and his staff. In his apology, Sorett acknowledged the lessons learned from the experience and recognized the impact that the exchanged texts had on the community. He emphasized the need for improvement on behalf of the entire Columbia community.
President Shafik informed Columbia trustees of the decision, which was subsequently communicated to the broader university community through an email co-authored by Columbia’s provost, Angela Olinto. The email outlined the administration’s response, emphasizing accountability and the implementation of new training initiatives.
While Chang-Kim, Kromm, and Patashnick are currently on leave pending further investigation, they will be reassigned to different roles within the university. The decision stops short of the demands made by over 1,000 students and alumni who petitioned for the dismissal of all four administrators involved in the text exchanges, citing the university’s need to send a clear message against anti-Semitism.
In addition to personnel changes, Columbia University plans to introduce a new antidiscrimination training program developed by the provost’s office, which includes specific modules on combating anti-Semitism. This initiative aligns with similar efforts at other universities in response to heightened tensions surrounding issues related to Israel and anti-Semitism on campuses nationwide.
The incident had sparked a month-long public relations crisis for Columbia. President Shafik condemned the exchanged messages as unprofessional and criticized them for evoking ancient anti-Semitic tropes. She underscored the university’s commitment to upholding values of inclusivity and respect.
