Yik Yak Blocked from College Servers

In light of continuing incidents and personal attacks on the social media app Yik Yak — including instances of racism, victim-blaming, and anonymous allegations — Information Technology Services permanently blocked the app from all College servers on May 5. Users are unable to access Yik Yak via College Wi-Fi or networked devices.

Jim Reische, vice president for communications, and Angela Voos, Title IX coordinator, initiated the block after discussions with President Raynard S. Kington, Michael Latham, dean of the College, and Dennis Reilly, Grinnell police chief. The action was taken in response to concerns from students, faculty, and staff about the harm being done to individual students through anonymous attacks.

The College does not have the power to block users from accessing Yik Yak via their personal mobile networks. Nor will blocking Yik Yak fix the underlying problem of repeated hateful behavior. But as an important first step the College will no longer support access to an app that has shown itself to have a corrosive influence on the Grinnell campus and which facilitated damaging attacks on members of the Grinnell community.

“We designed the block in a way that allows individuals the personal freedom to continue using the app if they choose to do so,” Reische says. “No Grinnellian is being prevented from speaking their mind. The College, and I personally, defend everyone’s right to free speech. But we also have an obligation to care for students and promote an environment in which all can succeed and thrive academically and personally.”