The following was prepared by SIPA student Joshua Huneycutt, a second year MIA student concentrating in Energy and Environmental Policy.

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To accompany the lengthening days and shedding of layers that takes place in Morningside Heights around this time of year, the SIPA and Columbia communities stage a number of fun events to coax students out of their study caves (i.e. Lehman Library)and into the spring air.

(Weird Flowering Branch Tree on Columbia Campus)

On SIPA’s home turf, the spring fun typically kicks off with the annual SIPA BBQ.  This year‘s “Business Cards and BBQ” theme encourages SIPA students to get to know each other better via SIPA students’ favorite pastime – networking! Here, kegs of beer and grilled meats (and veggie burgers) kick off the season of sitting in SIPA’s terrace in the sun, and continuing the fun, and postponing the pain of tackling term papers and exams, SIPA stages its premiere entertainment event – Follies – the following day.

An age-old tradition, this variety show parodies the school’s quirks and foibles through musical numbers, songs, skits, and [plenty of videos (link: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sipa+follies&aq=f).  And if this wasn’t enough keep SIPA students going, the annual SIPA Gala (or SIPA Prom as it’s commonly known) takes place the following week, typically in a stunning venue with a top-shelf open bar to fuel the dancefloor.

If you’re burnt out on SIPA events, there are plenty of other things happening on campus.    This year’s annual “Bacchanal” party on Columbia’s main quad will feature none other than Wu-Tang’s own Ghostface Killah and psych popsters Of Montreal.  The following day, Barnard College’s radio hosts a more indie and metal-oriented day of free music and food, the WBAR-B-Q (link: http://www.wbar.org/).  The dark synth-pop stylings of Cold Cave and brutal black metal of the Columbia alum-led Liturgy surely warrant a visit by Columbia and NYC music lovers alike.

(Vampire Weekend performs at Bacchanal 2009)

So while you might not be in the area for this year’s SIPA spring, rest assured that if you end up spending two years in these hallowed halls, the typical drudgery of exam season can end up being, well, kind of fun.