Three Columbia University administrators resign after 'anti-Semitic tropes' found in text messages

Three Columbia University deans have resigned after a text message exchange that “disturbingly evoked ancient anti-Semitic tropes.”

Susan Chang-Kim, associate dean and chief administrative officer, Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, and Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, have all resigned.

The resignations came after President Dr. Minouche Shafik and Provost Angela Olinto wrote a letter July 8 to the campus community addressing actions taken against three administrators involved in the May 31 text message exchanges.

A Columbia student examines damage to windows in a door at Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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“I am writing today to update our campus community on the actions the university is taking following an incident in which senior Columbia College administrators engaged in deeply disturbing text message exchanges during a Homecoming Weekend event titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future,” the letter reads.

The president further explained that the incident “revealed behavior and sentiments” that were “unprofessional” and “disturbingly evoked old anti-Semitic tropes.”

Additionally, Columbia University officials planned to launch a “vigorous program” of anti-Semitism and anti-discrimination training for faculty and staff in the fall.

Anti-Israel protesters hang signs at Columbia University in New York, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Columbia announced earlier in the day that its campus would remain closed “until circumstances permit,” after students occupied Hamilton Hall early this morning. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

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Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm have been “permanently relieved of their duties” and placed on leave since June.

On May 31, the three trustees criticized a panel on anti-Semitism in a text message exchange, the Washington Free Beacon reported. Patashnick said one of the panel members was trying to “take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.” Kromm sent vomit emojis about a rabbi’s op-ed and wrote, “Amazing what money can do,” according to the Free Beacon.

At another point, Chang-Kim said that Jewish students who expressed concerns about anti-Semitism were doing so from “a place of privilege.”

The texts eventually caught the attention of Congress, which is investigating anti-Semitism on college campuses.

A pro-Palestinian protester holds a flag on the roof of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York, U.S., Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Columbia University is among several American universities affected by protests related to the Gaza conflict. The demonstrations have grown so large that police had to move onto campus to evict students who had occupied Hamilton Hall, a humiliating episode for the elite university.

Last month, five Columbia students and graduates filed a class-action lawsuit against organizers and supporters of the anti-Israel encampments.

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Columbia University did not immediately respond. Fox News Digital request for comment.

Fox News' Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.