Columbia University puts three Deans on leave for probe on text exchange at antisemitism panel

The panel discussion - “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future” was held during an alumni reunion on May 31.

While Columbia University is probing the allegations that three administrations exchanged unprofessional text messages during the panel discussion about antisemitism on campus, the university has put three administrators on leave.

The three deans on leave work for its undergraduate Columbia College. The college’s dean, Josef Sorett, informed his team on Thursday that the three administrators were being put on leave. Sorett also said in a message on Friday to the Columbia College Board of Visitors, "I deeply regret my role in these text exchanges and the impact they have had on our community."

He said he is “committed to learning from this situation and to the work of confronting antisemitism, discrimination and hate at Columbia," as reported by India Today.

The college hosted the panel discussion “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future” during an alumni reunion on May 31.

"Columbia College is attending to this situation with the utmost seriousness. We are committed to confronting antisemitism, discrimination and hate, and taking concrete action to ensure that our community is one of respect and healthy dialogue where everyone feels valued and safe," said a spokesperson for Columbia College.

Columbia University not revealed the names of the administrators

The university has not identified the administrators by name and declined to discuss the matter further while the investigation is pending.

The police investigation is happening at a time when there are deep divisions on campus as to whether some of the protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza have been antisemitic.

The Washington Free Beacon reportedly published the text messages images on June 12 and 21, and the content involved suggestions that a panellist could leverage campus protests for fundraising efforts and critical views on a campus rabbi's essay addressing antisemitism.

The background

The pro-Palestine protests had started at Columbia University before spreading to other universities and countries. The students were demanding a complete divestment from Israel company and the university was against it. New York City Police was also called on the campus and many students were arrested.

Read more:

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