Columbia University confirmed on Thursday that three of its deans have stepped down following the emergence of antisemitic text messages, as reported by The New York Times. 

The controversy, which began after offensive texts were shared during a Jewish-themed forum, led to the resignations of these university officials, the university confirmed. The academic sphere and beyond have expressed concern over the messages, which Nemat Shafik, the university president, said contained “ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Following the scandal, these deans, who oversaw undergraduate affairs, had previously been suspended in June pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the publication. 

The leaked texts included derogatory suggestions about a Jewish speaker fabricating antisemitism for financial gain, among other inappropriate responses to event speakers. This incident has further fueled ongoing debates over antisemitism and the treatment of racial and ethnic matters on campus. This is especially relevant considering the expected surge in anti-Israel activism this fall. Efforts are being made by the university to address these challenges, including responses to vandalism at an administrator’s home and reviewing campus security measures.

As a pro-Palestinian protest took place nearby on May 23, 2024, NYPD officers were seen patrolling close to Columbia University, indicating the heightened tensions in the area. (Photo credit: John Lamparski/Getty Images)

In light of these developments, President Shafik in July announced initiatives for the new academic term aimed at managing protest-related issues through a new mediation process, community dialogues, and revising protest guidelines. 

Moreover, the university is contemplating extending the arrest authority of its campus police to align with other institutions’ practices, a movement first reported by The Wall Street Journal. However, a formal proposal regarding this change has not yet been presented to the University Senate, which is tasked with reviewing such alterations before they are adopted.