Columbia deans placed on leave

[ciao_yall]

The prob I saw in this story is that by firing the three deans, the prez (in an obvious desperate attempt to save her own job, btw) has essentially ruined the careers of these three professionals.  What is their recourse, their likely chance of success in a lawsuit?  Having been publicly labelled 'anti-semite', might as well just be the same as 'Nazi', or even 'Holocaust-denier'...

I read the texts. They were grossly unprofessional and, yes, anti-semitic.

Why shouldn't people be held accountable for their own actions?

[kaysixteen]

What exactly do these texts say, the whole of them, in context?  Have you seen the whole of them, in context?

We can perhaps also discuss the importance of academic freedom and not having one's private texts snooped on... did anything in the texts threaten anyone? Suggest that the deans in question would act disparately in the course of their professional responsibiities to people based on religion or ethnicity?

[spork]

As I mentioned upthread, the deans deserved to be fired solely because of their demonstrated stupidity. Dave Chappelle once said that there are two words that you should say together in Hollywood -- "the" and "Jews." Same concept applies here. It's bad for the brand.

[treeoflife]

Academic freedom in relation to texts sent by administrators? Have you read the articles?

The request for context is interesting, there is no mention of context when other groups of students and professors ask for equitable treatment. It is very telling.

What exactly do these texts say, the whole of them, in context?  Have you seen the whole of them, in context?

We can perhaps also discuss the importance of academic freedom and not having one's private texts snooped on... did anything in the texts threaten anyone? Suggest that the deans in question would act disparately in the course of their professional responsibiities to people based on religion or ethnicity?

[Dismal]

did anything in the texts threaten anyone? Suggest that the deans in question would act disparately in the course of their professional responsibiities to people based on religion or ethnicity?

Sure it is possible they could argue that they use the barf emoji for all religions and ethnicities

[Parasaurolophus]

NPR linked to the texts, which the congressional committee released (here). I... don't see the anti-semitic tropes being touched on.

NPR reports that the fundraising comment concerns "Jews on campus," rather than whoever is speaking to them. That's not at all clear from the texts. Shrug.

[dismalist]

It's perfectly legal to watch porn. Yet people have been fired for having been caught at it on their work computer.

This Columbia case is analogous.

[ciao_yall]

NPR linked to the texts, which the congressional committee released (here). I... don't see the anti-semitic tropes being touched on.

NPR reports that the fundraising comment concerns "Jews on campus," rather than whoever is speaking to them. That's not at all clear from the texts. Shrug.

The texts were accusing them of milking perceived anti-semitism to raise money, which is kind of a Jewy superpower.

[jimbogumbo]

Just, wow. Columbia is messed up: https://www.insidehighered.com/#

[treeoflife]

Just, wow. Columbia is messed up: https://www.insidehighered.com/#

The conflation of political activists with scholars has done serious damage to academia.

[Langue_doc]

As expected

3 Columbia University Deans Who Sent Insulting Texts Have Resigned
The deans were put on leave earlier in the summer after sending messages that disparaged Jewish panelists. A fourth dean, who is tenured, will remain at the university.

The first few paragraphs:

Three Columbia University deans who exchanged disparaging text messages that the university president said "touched on ancient antisemitic tropes" during a forum about Jewish issues in May are resigning, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

The deans, who had responsibility for undergraduate student affairs, sent the biting and sarcastic messages as they reacted in real time to Jewish speakers expressing concern about antisemitism on campus during the two-hour event.

In June, Nemat Shafik, the university president, placed the three deans on indefinite leave as an investigation proceeded.

In the texts, one dean suggested that a Jewish speaker was playing up concerns for fund-raising purposes. Another sent vomit emojis in reaction to the mention of a college newspaper opinion piece written by one of the school's rabbis.

The deans did not respond to calls requesting comment. Samantha Slater, a Columbia spokeswoman, confirmed the resignations by email but did not provide further comment.