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In shocking texts, Columbia administrators take dismissive tone to antisemitism concerns

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on

Published in News & Features

NEW YORK — Four Columbia University administrators dismissed concerns about campus antisemitism in an explosive series of texts during a recent alumni event, according to transcripts released Tuesday by the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Three of the officials have been placed on leave pending an investigation since a reunion panel on Jewish life on campus on May 31.

Photos of the exchange, first published in the conservative news outlet the Washington Free Beacon last month, showed Cristen Kromm, the dean of undergraduate student life, fired off two sick and vomit emojis referencing a campus rabbi’s op-ed about antisemitism.

Another administrator, Matthew Patashnick, the associate dean for student and family support, said Hillel Executive Director Brian Cohen “knows exactly what he’s doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.”

The texts’ veracity and the individuals who sent them were confirmed by the House Education Committee on Tuesday, after Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., requested the full exchange as part of a probe into allegations of antisemitism at Columbia.

The chats included previously unreported messages, including from Susan Chang-Kim, the vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia College, who said panelists came from “such a place of privilege.”

 

“Hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center,” said Chang-Kim, referring to the Jewish life campus building. “Huh??”

“Amazing what $$$$ can do,” Kromm, the student life dean, said later in the session.

Columbia said it was committed to combating antisemitism and taking action to ensure Jewish students feel safe on campus. Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett, who was in one of the group chats and chimed in with a “Lmao,” slang for laughing, is cooperating with an investigation while he continues to serve in the role.

Foxx suggested in a statement that the texts “again confirm the need for serious accountability” at Columbia.

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