SIPA Task Force Recommendations

Dear SIPA Community,

As your Dean, my primary concern is to foster an inclusive SIPA community where everyone feels safe to pursue their studies and work, and feels empowered to live out our mission. Last year, I established two task forces to address incidents and heightened concerns related to safety, security, harassment, and intimidation. The SIPA Task Force on Doxing and Student Safety (established October 31, 2023), and the SIPA Anti-Hate Task Force (established on November 9, 2023) were comprised of students, staff and faculty and convened over the course of the academic year to assess and recommend actions to address these challenges. 

The Chairs of both Task Forces submitted reports to me over the summer and I’m writing to share their recommendations, which I enthusiastically welcomed, and the school is now engaged in implementing. I am grateful to the members of both Task Forces for helping to address these concerns at the individual, community, and university levels, both in the past year and looking ahead. 

Below are the recommendations from both Task Forces and subsequent actions the School is taking:

Doxing and Student Safety Recommendations - Chair, Michael A. Nutter

• Improve safety and security for 420 W 118th St (IAB) by convening regularly with stakeholders/tenants in the building along with university partners (Facilities, Public Safety, etc.) to address safety concerns.
• Provide information on digital privacy and best practices for all incoming students at orientation to safeguard themselves. 
• Include information in student leader training about the risks of doxing associated with sanctioned student organization activities including guidelines on signing on to statements. 
• Incorporate guidance on having a digital presence in professional development training via the Career Advancement Center. 
• Maintain a dedicated email box open for these concerns monitored by SIPA staff who can monitor, respond and direct queries to the appropriate office. 

As a result of the recommendations, the following changes were implemented: utilizing the swipe access system to enter IAB is being enforced for everyone, the incoming class this fall received information on digital privacy and best practices for safeguarding oneself online at orientation, and student leader training is being updated to include information about doxxing and signing on statements. If issues of doxing resurface, the SIPA community is encouraged to share information using the dedicated email account, [email protected].

Anti Hate Task Force Recommendations - Co-Chairs Yasmine Ergas and Jean-Marie Guehenno

To Better Support Students:

• Establish a clear social compact, via an updated Code of Academic and Professional Conduct. 
• Provide information regarding key services relating to mental health and academic advising. 
• Train the trainers of student leaders and peer advisors including with respect to de-escalation, community liaisons, student-led initiatives to build community and reduce tensions, and current and emerging university policies. 

To Better Support Faculty and Staff:

• Require training on the SIPA and CU codes of conduct. 
• Provide classroom-based assistance management (for discussions regarding contentious issues). 

To Support the SIPA Community Broadly:

• Address concerns (staff, students, faculty) regarding safety at IAB. 
• Ensure sensitivity to the multiple perspectives of various members of the community in programming and facilitate participation by members of the community with differing perspectives in SIPA-wide initiatives. 

As a result of the recommendations, the SIPA Code of Professional and Academic Conduct was updated this fall to include all applicable University policies and provide more specific behaviors around professional conduct. This was an important first step to establish a clear social compact for the community. There has also been increased communication about how to access mental health services and additional opportunities for students to engage in reflection and skill-building programs through several outlets. Given the importance of supporting our diverse and dynamic community, the Task Force will continue to operate a dedicated email account, [email protected] for community members to access.

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The fierce advocacy, sense of urgency and care demonstrated by the members of the Task Forces has helped to bring about meaningful change for our community. I also want to extend my deep gratitude to every community member who shared your experiences, concerns, and creative ideas with the Task Forces. We would not have been able to begin addressing the pressing needs of the community without your perspectives.

While I am proud of the advances we have made since last year, our commitment to these issues must continue. I remain hopeful that our SIPA community will utilize the learning of last year to keep making the progress we all seek to ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included.

Thank you for your continued support.

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