WhatsApp Chat Suspension and Vandalism at SIPA
(Photo/Columbia/IAB Building/Columbia Operations - https://operations.cufo.columbia.edu/content/international-affairs-building)
By The Morningside Post Editorial Team
Last week, conversations around the Middle East turned contentious on SIPA’s official WhatsApp chat for the 2026 cohort. Students shared differing opinions on the conflict, with many drawing from personal experiences. As discussions escalated, concerns about the tone and nature of exchanges grew, leading the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to request a temporary pause on the chat.
In response, the SIPA Student Association (SIPASA) complied with the request, citing efforts to de-escalate the situation. However, the decision sparked frustration among students, who relied on the chat for academic coordination and peer support. Acknowledging the disruption, SIPASA re-opened the chat within a few hours and issued an apology, stating that while they intended to maintain a respectful space, the pause had caused inconvenience and anxiety.
Beyond the chat suspension, tensions on campus escalated further when protesters vandalized university buildings. The women’s restrooms on the fourth, sixth, fourteenth, and fifteenth floors of the International Affairs Building (IAB) were clogged with a cement-like substance, and the walls were spray-painted referencing Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces last year. Additionally, Henry R. Kravis Hall at the Columbia Business School was defaced with red spray paint.
Columbia University condemned the vandalism, stating that acts of property damage aimed at disrupting academic spaces and intimidating community members would not be tolerated. Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo described the incident as “deplorable, disruptive, and deeply unsettling” in an email sent to all SIPA students.
Amid growing concerns over student privacy and potential repercussions for online discussions, The Morningside Post (TMP) asked SIPASA President Janvi Manek about the student government’s stance on protecting students engaging in sensitive conversations, especially in light of recent federal regulations regarding deportation for protest activity. Manek responded, “We are deliberating this internally and do seek to engage with the administration considering the nature and sensitivity of the issue”.
To encourage open communication and ensure a more constructive environment in offline and online spaces, SIPASA announced several initiatives yesterday:
Student Survey – Gathering feedback on community values and engagement.
Community Guidelines – Establishing clearer rules for virtual discussions.
In-Person Dialogues – Organizing moderated discussions, including sessions with SIPA administration and forums on the geopolitical crisis.
SIPASA emphasized that their priority remains ensuring students feel safe and heard. “We seek your voices, input, and partnership to ensure these efforts reflect your priorities,” the board stated.