Columbia removes three deans from power for 鈥榲ery troubling鈥� antisemitic text messages
Columbia University announced Monday it has permanently removed three deans from their posts after finding they engaged in 鈥渧ery troubling鈥� text messages that touched on antisemitic tropes.
Video above: Lawmakers respond to demonstrations with Antisemitism Awareness Act
In a letter, Columbia President Minouche Shafik committed to holding those officials responsible for the 鈥渄isturbing鈥� incident, which about Jewish life at an alumni event.
鈥淭he incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,鈥� Shafik said in the Monday .
鈥淲hether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University鈥檚 values and the standards we must uphold in our community.鈥�
Columbia leaders have been under fire for months to show they are taking action to combat antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students and staff.
Angela Olinto, Columbia鈥檚 provost, said she shares Shafik鈥檚 鈥渄ismay鈥� and announced the three staff members involved 鈥渉ave been permanently removed from their positions鈥� and will 鈥渞emain on leave at this time.鈥�
鈥淭heir conduct was wrong and contrary to the mission and values of our institution,鈥� Olinto said. 鈥淚t revealed, at best, an ignorance of the history of antisemitism.鈥�
A Columbia spokesperson told CNN that all three officials are still employed by the university.
CNN reached out to the three officials for comment.
However, Columbia signaled that a fourth official involved in the text messages, Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, is staying in power after apologizing and taking responsibility.
On Monday Sorett sent a message to Columbia College students apologizing for his actions.
鈥淚 am deeply sorry that this happened in a community that I lead and , (sic) that I was part of any of the exchanges, and I pledge to spearhead the change we need to ensure this never happens again,鈥� read.
Last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Columbia hold the three officials accountable and revealed images of the group text exchange.
鈥淛ewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats against them dismissed as 鈥榩rivilege,鈥� and Jewish faculty members deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,鈥� Foxx said in the statement last week.