IAB Security Enhancements

Dear SIPA Community:

We are eagerly anticipating the start of the fall semester and kicking off a new academic year filled with exciting courses, events, and activities. As most of you are aware, Columbia has implemented protocols for accessing campus to ensure the safety of all Columbia affiliates. We ask that you pay special attention to important messages sent from the university regarding campus access and safety, which you can always access here on the public safety website. 

As a reminder, the International Affairs Building (IAB) is home to SIPA and also to a number of academic departments, institutes, and resources available to the broader University community. Throughout the course of last year, SIPA leadership received a number of expressions of concern from our community regarding the need for more controlled access to IAB. Over the summer we have worked together with University leadership to address these concerns.

The following security enhancements are being put in place to meet the needs of all of us who study and work in IAB, as well as our visitors and guests:

• For many years, IAB's main entrances have been restricted to CUID holders via swipe access. As was the case throughout much of the spring term, Public Safety will continue to be stationed at all entrances to ensure CUID swipe compliance and to prevent unauthorized access. 
• Due to the security needs of visiting heads of state and other dignitaries to IAB, as determined by federal and international security agencies, you may occasionally encounter metal detector screenings and limited K9 sweeps of select areas. 

The safety of our community is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring that all of us at SIPA may continue to pursue our shared academic mission of preparing future policy leaders, studying and confronting the world's most challenging issues, and advancing solutions. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we implement these security measures.

Keren Yarhi-Milo
Dean, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations

Alexsandra Sanford
Chief Operating Officer
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)