Columbia 'Permanently Fires' Three Administrators Caught Mocking Anti-Semitism Panel

Alumni petition also calls for fourth dean to be ‘fired’ after ‘LMAO’ text

Columbia University has removed three top administrators after they were caught mocking Jewish leaders and students during a recent panel on anti-Semitism, Provost Angela Olinto wrote in a campus email Monday.

However, some alumni have expressed outrage that Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett, who was also involved in the administrators’ text messages, will keep his job.

On Monday, Olinto wrote that three administrators had been “permanently removed from their positions” and remain on leave following an “incident” that occurred during the reunion weekend. The memo did not specify whether they were demoted or fired or whether they are facing another situation.

Vice Dean Susan Chang-Kim, Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Cristen Kromm and Associate Dean of Student and Family Support Matthew Patashnick were placed on leave late last month after a series of group text messages, revealed by the House Education Committee, and Washington Free Lighthouse Reports showed them making critical and mocking comments about a panel on anti-Semitism at the weekend event titled “Jewish Life on Campus.”

“Their conduct was wrong and contrary to the mission and values of our institution,” Olinto wrote.

University President Minouche Shafik also addressed the issue in a campus-wide email Monday, saying the administrators’ statements were “antithetical” to Columbia’s values.

“This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also disturbingly touched on long-standing anti-Semitic tropes,” Shafik said. “Whether intentional or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply disturbing, as they reflect a lack of seriousness about the concerns and experiences of members of our Jewish community.”

Shafik also said university leaders are working on a “vigorous” training program on anti-Semitism for faculty and staff in the fall.

Meanwhile, Olinto told the university she should expect to receive a separate email from Sorett regarding her role in the text messages.

“He apologized and took full responsibility for the incident, committing to work and collaborate to heal the community and learn from this moment, and ensure nothing like this happens again. He also reached out to our Jewish community leaders to seek their partnership,” Olinto wrote.

Former students believe Sorett should also be ‘fired’

A new petition signed by alumni, students and staff calls for his dismissal, describing his apology as “unconvincing” and saying he “actively joined his colleagues in mocking the jury members.”

In one exchange, Chang-Kim mockingly referred to a male speaker, believed to be the director of the campus Hillel, Brian Cohen, as “our hero,” according to text messages released by the U.S. House of Representatives committee.

Sorett replied: “Lol.”

A spokesperson involved in the petition said: The solution Sorett’s “LOL” text was a “catalyst” for many former students on Monday.

Young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, alumni wrote the petition together because they were so “outraged by the behavior of the dean’s office” and the “rumblings” that Sorett would remain in his position, said the spokesman, who asked not to be named because of his ties to the university.

“How can a student feel comfortable going to the dean’s office knowing that he and his staff are making fun of the plight of Jewish students behind their backs?” the spokesperson said. “(This) is totally unacceptable.”

The petition, dated July 2, also urges Colombia to dismiss the other three administrations. It had collected more than 1,300 signatures as of Monday afternoon.

Elders accuse Jewish leaders of being ‘privileged’

Part of their text message exchange shows the trustees criticizing Brian Cohen, the head of Barnard Hillel, the Jewish center in Columbia, a chamber news release said.

Chang-Kim described it as “such a problem!!!”

“We portray our students as dangerous beings,” she wrote.

Patashnick responded that Cohen “knows exactly what he’s doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.”

Kromm “liked” the comment and Chang-Kim replied: “Double Urgh.”

“It’s amazing what money can do,” Kromm wrote at another point in the conversation.

In another part of the exchange, Patashnick criticized Jewish leaders for advocating for the expansion of safe spaces on campus, writing, “They’ll have their own dorm soon.”

Chang-Kim responded: “It comes from such a privileged place… it’s hard to hear that I’m the one who brings bad luck.”

Kromm wrote: “Yes. Blind to the idea that Jews who do not support Israel have no space to gather.”

At another point, Chang-Kim wrote: “I’m going to throw up.”

MORE: Top Columbia Admins Caught Secretly Mocking Anti-Semitism Panel

Email inquiries from The solution Last week, Kromm and Patashnic automatically responded that they were “currently out of the office with no regular access to email.” The solution Unable to find Chang-Kim’s contact details.

Sorett also did not respond to several emailed requests for comment over the past week.

He apologized in a statement to the Spectator through a spokesperson last week, but also said the photos in their posts were an “invasion of privacy.”

The university’s media office did not respond to multiple phone and email requests for comment. The solution Over the past week, he has asked questions about the texts, the House investigation, the petition and his actions regarding anti-Semitism on campus.

U.S. House Education Committee Demands Accountability

The leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives committee also called on New York University to take action.

“Jewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats treated as a ‘privilege,’ and Jewish faculty deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,” President Virginia Foxx said in the press release. “These text messages further reinforce the need for real accountability on Columbia’s campus.”

The North Carolina Republican said the university provided the text message exchanges to the committee after the Tag initial report.

These exchanges provide “a small but clear window into administrators’ determination to minimize anti-Semitism on campus,” the chamber’s press release said.

The solution I also contacted Cohen and campus Rabbi Yonah Hain for comment via email twice in the past week, but they did not respond.

Columbia leaders have faced continued criticism from students, staff and alumni for their handling of anti-Semitism and pro-Palestinian protests on campus over the past year.

Many avoided the questions. In May, most members of the university’s board of trustees ignored The solutionRequests for comment on the situation have been numerous – including two who hung up the phone.

MORE: Police arrest 100 pro-Palestinian protesters in Columbia, Ilhan Omar’s daughter suspended

IMAGE: Columbia Jewish Alumni Association

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