Three deans at Columbia University have lost their jobs over what the university is calling disturbing texts that “touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.” Columbia says the three individuals are on indefinite leave, and will not return to their prior positions.
The three were texting each other during a panel discussion on Jewish life on campus last May, mocking and disparaging students’ complaints of antisemitism. The texts were recently released by a congressional committee investigating antisemitism at Columbia, and were first reported by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative website.
Susan Chang-Kim, formerly the vice dean and chief administrative officer was dismissive of the students’ complaints, texting that it “comes from such a place of privilege… hard to hear the woe is me.”