SIPA students, faculty, and staff are receiving sad news tonight: Mustafa Bicer, who just finished his first year at SIPA, has passed away.  An impressive MIA student full of promise, he came from SIPA after working in the Directorate General of Exports in the Ministry of Economy of Turkey, his home country.  We extend our condolences to those close to him and the community in general, and remind you of the resources available from the school, especially those listed at the end of the email from Dean Janow.

Dear colleagues and students:

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the untimely death of MIA student Mustafa Bicer, an IFEP concentrator from Turkey. Mustafa was 28 years old and had completed his first year at SIPA last month.

Mustafa lived with his wife, Kezban. She is supported at this difficult time by SIPA’s strong Turkish community, which includes many students, alumni, and spouses.

He was a graduate of Marmara University in Istanbul, one of Turkey’s finest universities. He joined his home country’s Ministry of Economy after graduating, working on export legislation and policy in the Directorate General of Exports before coming to SIPA.

In his time here at SIPA he found fast friends, not only among the cohesive group of Turkish expatriates but also in our community of diverse students from the United States and many nations. We have great appreciation and respect for students like Mustafa who travel such a great distance to join our community, which was stronger for his presence in it.

SIPA administrators have reached out to Mustafa’s family to provide assistance and convey our condolences on behalf of the SIPA. I ask that you keep them in your thoughts in the days ahead.

When we lose a member of our community it affects all of us. During this difficult time, I encourage you to rely on one another and University resources.

For spiritual support you may contact the Office of the University Chaplain at 212-854-5714 or chaplain@columbia.edu. Among the office’s staff is a Turkish-speaking Imam, Khalil Abdur Rashid; you may contact him directly at imam@columbia.edu.

For support from Counseling and Psychological Services, please contact Allan Cassorla at aac4@columbia.edu or 212-854-2878.

I know you join me in mourning the loss of such a promising and inspiring member of our community.

Yours truly,
Merit E. Janow
Dean, School of International and Public Affairs
Professor of Professional Practice, International Economic Law & International Affairs