Three administrators have been fired for texting this to each other:
Is that appropriate or a free speech violation?
The private texts were sent between the administrators during an antisemitism event at Columbia Univerisity. The event focused on Jewish life on campus. The administrators thought that the school protests in the wake of October 7 were being exploited for fundraising opportunities.
“This is difficult to listen to but I’m trying to keep an open mind to learn about this point of view,” said one text. The exchange was filmed by a fellow audience member.
Does this count as extramural speech? It happened on campus but it was a private conversation. And even if this is a distasteful reaction, isn’t it their right to have?