Columbia University confirmed Thursday that three deans have resigned following the leak of anti-Semitic text messages, The New York Times reported.
Three deans at Columbia University are resigning following a controversy over derogatory text messages exchanged during a forum on Jewish issues, the university confirmed. According to The incident, which sparked an outcry both within and outside of academia, involved a passage that university president Nemat Shafik described as evoking “ancient anti-Semitic tropes,” according to The New York Times.
BREAKING: Three deans at Columbia University have resigned after exchanging libelous statements that the university president said “touched on ancient anti-Semitic tropes” during a forum on Jewish issues in May. https://t.co/YGHqMTD0Bt
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 8, 2024
The resignation comes after the dean responsible for undergraduate student affairs was placed on indefinite leave in June amid an ongoing investigation into the matter, according to the outlet. The text messages included remarks suggesting Jewish speakers were exaggerating concerns about anti-Semitism to raise funds, as well as inappropriate comments about speakers at the event, the outlet reported. (Related article: University professor fired for pro-Palestinian slogans)
The revelations have intensified an ongoing debate about how to address anti-Semitism and racial and ethnic issues on campus, especially in the wake of an expected rise in anti-Israel protests in the fall. The university has been proactively trying to address these issues, including by taking action against the vandalism at administrators' residence and proposing changes to campus security protocols.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23, 2024: NYPD officers walk alongside pro-Palestinian protesters near Columbia University in New York City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Shafik said, looking ahead to the next academic year: schedule A new mediation process to address protest-related issues will be implemented in July, alongside community dialogue and changes to university protest regulations.
There are also ongoing discussions about expanding the arrest powers of campus police to align with practices at other universities. Reported According to the Wall Street Journal, a formal proposal has not yet been submitted to the University Senate, which typically reviews such changes before implementing them.
