Hello First-Years!
Please find the list of upcoming departmental program planning meetings and open houses down below!
Best,
The First-Year Team
This site serves as a central source of information for first-year students at Barnard. There will be regular updates with explanations of academic policies, procedures and deadlines; information from academic programs and departments; and announcements about opportunities for fellowships, grants and scholarships -- so bookmark this site and check it often!
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024
Peer Academic Coaching Workshop: Barnard Boost: Tips You Didn't Know You Needed!
Hello First-Years!
Please take a look at the flyer below regarding the upcoming webinar the peer coaches are hosting as a follow up to the Barnard Basics webinar that was previously hosted this past summer by the Program Coordinator for Academic Coaching, Allie Johnston!
Best,
The First-Year Team
Information About First-Year Seminar Workshop Spring 2025
To students taking First-Year Seminar in Spring, 2025:
What does it mean to be dead? Why the fascination—across time and culture—with conceiving of ways in which the dead can become un-dead? And how is being undead different from being alive? To investigate and trouble the boundaries between life and death (and un-death), we will analyze works from various genres and media, discussing near-death experiences, beating-heart cadavers, and a range of figures including zombies, ghosts, and other revenants. Objects of study include texts by Zora Neale Hurston, Ovid, Montaigne, Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Nalo Hopkinson, and Mary Shelley; music by Camille Saint-SaĆ«ns; artwork by Hans Holbein and Breughel; television and film (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie); and more.
This spring, the First-Year Seminar (FYS) Program is offering two sections of FYS "Workshop," a four-credit version of FYS designed for students who feel they would benefit from extra support with critical reading and academic writing skills. FYS Workshop fulfills the FYS requirement and is equally as rigorous as FYS. There are three main differences:
- In addition to regular seminar meetings twice per week, FYS Workshop students meet one-on-one with a Writing Fellow for one hour every other week, giving you an opportunity to get feedback from and discuss your ideas with a trained peer throughout the semester.
- Each section of FYS Workshop is worth 4 credits (instead of 3).
- Each section of FYS Workshop is slightly smaller (capped at 14 students).
If you think you would benefit from the extra writing support FYS Workshop offers, p
See course descriptions below.
If you have any questions about the FYS Workshop Program, feel free to email Professor Lie-Spahn at clie@barnard.edu.
First-Year Seminar Workshop Courses for Spring, 2025:
MW 2:40-3:55pm
Professor Penelope Usher
The topic of this Seminar course takes an interdisciplinary approach to thinking about, and traversing, the constructs of the border. The U.S.- Mexico border delimits more than nations; it is both a political and a social geography, marked by bodies of water, mountains, walls, ideologies, repression, and resistance. The crisis currently taking place at the border is an unfolding story with many narrators. We will study literary texts: fiction, poetry, and memoir written by those who know the border, and borderlands, intimately. We will also engage histories, social movement doctrine, and media coverage to mine the stories they tell.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Global Reproductive Rights & Resistance
Global Reproductive Rights & Resistance:
A Community Conversation & Workshop with Elizabeth Ananat, Kadambari Baxi, Cecelia Lie-Spahn, and Wendy Schor-Haim | RSVP Here
Thursday, October 17, 5:15 - 7:00 pm | In-person, James Room
The 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling overturned nearly 50 years of legal protections established by Roe v. Wade (1973), ending the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. Currently, each state decides whether abortion is legal and under what conditions, and the impact of this ruling is felt unevenly and unequally by pregnant people. This community event brings together the diverse expertise of our faculty, Barnard’s international student body, and the College’s history and archives surrounding reproductive justice and freedom to situate this landmark decision in a broader historical and global context. This event is the first in the Provost’s Year of Elections around the World series.
To develop shared language for discussion, Barnard faculty will provide short presentations on the following concepts and terms:
the framework of reproductive justice for analyzing unequal access to reproductive care,
the history of fetal viability and its reverberations into the present,
the practice of self-managed abortions in the U.S., and
The impact of trigger laws and reimagining spaces and networks of reproductive care.
Following these short presentations, participants will be invited to articulate questions together and draw connections and comparisons between these themes and the legality of reproductive healthcare in other countries and political contexts. This event will also showcase the Trigger Planting 2.0 and Abortion in Context exhibition in Milstein, and participants are encouraged to engage with the exhibition in the weeks leading up to the event. RSVP at bit.ly/rightsandresist.
The Joy and Science of Effective Note-Taking Workshop
The Joy and Science of Effective Note-Taking Workshop | RSVP Here
Wednesday, October 16, 4:15 - 5:30 pm | In-person, Helene L. Kaplan Tower Suite North Tower (Sulzberger Hall)
Have you ever wondered if your style of note-taking is effective? 
Have you ever thought about whether there might be a better—and more joyous—way to take notes? 
Join the Center for Engaged Pedagogy for a note-taking workshop on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:15-5:30PM. Come to discuss and learn about note-taking habits, techniques, and practices for readings, lectures, and discussion-based courses. We’ll also save time for showcasing generative AI-assisted note-taking tools and learning from you about tools you have found helpful to your studies. You'll leave with note-taking templates and supplies! 
RSVP at https://bit.ly/fall24notes. Contact us at pedagogy@barnard.edu.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Comparative Literature & Translation Studies Program Planning Meeting
Come join the Comparative Literature & Translation Studies department on Tuesday, November 12th from 12-1 PM in Diana 308 for their Program Planning Meeting!
Architecture Program Planning Meeting
Come join the Architecture department on Wednesday, October 30th from 12-1 PM in The McCagg Gallery (Diana 4th floor) for their Program Planning Meeting!
Urban Studies Program Planning Meeting
Come join the Urban Studies department on Tuesday, October 29th at 6:00 PM in Diana Center 203 for their Program Planning Meeting!
Biology Department Program Planning Meeting
Come join the Biology department on Friday, October 18th from 12 PM-3:30 PM in Sulzberger Parlor for their Program Planning meeting!
Dance Department Program Planning Meeting
Come join the Dance department on Thursday, October 17th at 5:30 PM in Studio 306 for their Program Planning Meeting!
Human Rights Department Open House
Come join the Human Rights department on Wednesday, October 16th, from 6:30-7:30 PM in Milstein 113 for their Open House!
Education Department Open House
Please join the Education department on Tuesday, October 15th from 6:15-7:30 PM in Milstein 614 for their Open House!
Statistics Open House
Please join the Statistics department on Tuesday, October 15th, from 11:30 AM-3 PM in Uris 107 for their Open House!
Argh I dropped a class but now it is mysteriously back on my transcript pls help
If you successfully dropped a class with adviser permission on or before the October 8 drop deadline, the class should no longer be on your schedule or transcript in Student Planning (Courseworks/Canvas and SSOL may take a little longer to catch up).
HOWEVER, there is a known technical issue that sometimes causes a previously-dropped course to mysteriously reappear on your schedule and transcript. The Registrar is aware of this and can help!
We encourage you to check your transcript in Student Planning periodically to make sure your current-semester courses remain just the courses you are currently registered for.
If you notice your dropped class coming back again, please email registrar@barnard.edu and they will re-drop the course for you.
P/D/F & W Deadline is November 14th!
Hi First Years!
As of now your schedules are for the most part finalized. But for those who are still debating their courses and schedules, there are still options available! Let’s dive into P/D/F & W and what that actually means.
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How Does P/D/F Work?
Good news! Every Barnard student is allowed to Pass/D/Fail ONE class per semester. In other words, if you choose to PDF a class, the letter (P, D, or F) will appear on your transcript in place of a grade. Only a D or an F will count towards your GPA.
A letter grade of A+ through C- will appear on the transcript as a P, and will not count in the grade point average (GPA)
A letter grade of D will appear on the transcript as a D, and will count in the GPA
A letter grade of F will appear on the transcript as an F, and will count in the GPA
You can elect a class to be P/D/F even if one of your other courses is already an automatic P/D/F (i.e. First Year Seminar, First Year Writing, Physical Education).
What’s the Deadline to Declare a P/D/F?
You must make your decision by November 14, 2024 and submit the option "Request for Pass/D/Fail" in SSOL.
When Should I Not Use P/D/F?
It’s recommended to not use P/D/F in any course that can count toward your major or minor. Any class required for your major or minor that you PDF will be automatically uncovered at the time of graduation, and could affect your GPA. If you are debating P/D/F for one of these courses (including courses in your major/minor department that are not specifically required), consider speaking to your pre-major advisor or the department heads of your major/minor.
Can I Undo a P/D/F?
After you elect to P/D/F a course, there is a window between mid-June and mid-September where you can uncover a P grade. You will be able to see the actual grade you received in that class on SSOL and you can then make a decision to uncover or keep the P depending on what works best for you.
What If I Have Extenuating Circumstances And Am Not Doing Well in Multiple Classes?
Students who may be facing extenuating circumstances in a particular semester can petition to elect P/D/F grading in a second course, by speaking with their class dean and then submitting a petition to the College’s Committee on Programs and Academic Standing (CPAS).
Then What’s a Withdraw? And When Should I Use That?
Because the drop deadline has already passed, you are no longer able to drop a class without it appearing on your transcript. Instead, you can fill out the withdrawal form on Slate, which will mark the class with grade W on your transcript but will not count towards GPA. Be sure to obtain documented advisor approval before completing the withdrawal form.
What’s the Deadline to Withdraw From a Course?
To withdraw from a course (the course remains on the transcript with a grade of W), you should submit a withdrawal form with adviser approval to the Registrar’s Office before November 14, 2024.
If you have any questions or concerns, as always, reach out to the First Year Team at first-year@barnard.edu!
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Cognitive Science Open House
Hi First-Years!
Please join the Cognitive Science Program for our Open House on Wednesday, October 9th from 6pm-7pm in Sulzberger Parlor (3rd floor Barnard Hall). Come talk with faculty, meet other students, learn about the major and the requirements, and ask all your questions! Pizza and desserts will be served. All are welcome!
English Department Book Club!
Hello First-Years!
The English Department is introducing a book club with two readings, both led by students, the second with the author present!
Isabella Hammad has written a terrific novel, Enter Ghost. The English Department is sponsoring two discussions of her novel, both led by students.
The first meeting is on Wednesday, October 9th, from 7-9PM in the Held Auditorium, Barnard Hall 3rd Floor.
The second meeting is on Wednesday November 13th from 7-9PM in Sulzberger Parlor, Barnard Hall 3rd Floor, will be with Isabella herself.
Isabella's an incredible (young) author: You will really enjoy reading her novel and talking with her. Please come! You can pick up a free copy of Enter Ghost in the English Department during regular hours. We will provide home-baked cookies and hot chocolate!
Again, we'd love to have you come!
Ross Hamilton, Chair, English Department.
P.S.: In the Spring, we plan to read Shalom Auslander's Mother for Dinner.
Best,
The First-Year Team
Department of Statistics Open House!
Hello First-Years!
Please see the attached flyer for the upcoming Statistics open house that will be held next Tuesday, October 15th from 11:30AM-3PM in Calder Lounge, Uris 107!
Best,
The First-Year Team
Monday, October 7, 2024
Non-Residential Student Support Event - 10/15 Breakfast Social!
Hello students!
Want to grab a quick bite, mix and mingle with other commuter/non-residential students? Stop by the upcoming first monthly Breakfast Social that will be taking place next Tuesday, October 15th from 9:30AM-11:30AM in the North Tower - Helene L. Kaplan Suite in Sulzberger Hall, Floor 17!
If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch with the Community Director for Non-Residential Support (NRSS), Guneet Moihdeen, which you can find her contact information down below!
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
The Dirt on the Drop Deadline
Hello First Years!
The First-Year Team here with the dirt on how to drop a class after the registration period has ended.
While the add deadline for this semester passed in September, the drop deadline for Fall 2024 classes is less than one week away, on Tuesday, October 8th. This is your last chance to drop a class you are currently enrolled in without having a withdrawal marked on your transcript. Remember that you cannot drop below the required 12-credit minimum unless you have a CARDS accommodation to do so.
Follow these easy online steps to drop your class until Tuesday, October 8th:
1. Contact your adviser to discuss and obtain their approval.
Best practice is to have an advising conversation where you discuss options and any possible implications of this drop on your full-time status or your graduation progress, but depending on how much you and your adviser have already discussed things, they may agree to review and approve your form without such a meeting. Make sure that this conversation is time-stamped (eg. over email) in case your advisor is unable to approve your request in time.2. Submit the online Drop Request Form, found on Slate.
You will only be able to drop online if your adviser has granted this permission. Be sure that you are not attempting to drop below 12 credits unless approved via CARDS or as a final-semester senior -- the system will not allow drop below 12 credits without additional approval.3. As soon as your adviser grants permission, you will receive an email informing you that you have permission to drop the class(es) discussed.
While this adviser permission is for the specific class you request, functionally it reopens your ability to drop in general, so be sure to drop the right class and nothing else.4. You will have two days to drop the class online via Student Planning.*
If you don't drop within the 2-day window, you will need to request permission again. It important that you get started on the process as soon as possible to give your adviser time to approve the drop and to make sure you have time to manually do so in Student Planning on or before October 8th.*If your adviser was unable to approve your request in time but you reached out to them over email before the deadline, you will be able to petition the drop after the deadline. If this is you, don't fret! More information will be coming about that after the deadline.
Good luck, and be sure to reach out to the First-Year Team with any questions!
Pass/D/Fail deadline: Nov. 14, 2024
Pass/D/Fail available for Fall courses. Deadline is Nov. 16, 2023
The last day to elect the Pass/D/Fail option is November 14, 2024. (this is also the W deadline)
Rules:
Current students may elect to P/D/F one (1) course per semester. Courses that are only available with P/F grading are not counted.
The instructor is not informed when a student elects the P/D/F option. The instructor will assign a letter grade, which will be converted to P/D/F. Because of this, students may see a letter grade in SSOL and should reference their Barnard transcript to see the P/D/F grade.
A letter grade of A+ through C- will appear on the transcript as a P, and will not count in the GPA
A letter grade of D will appear on the transcript as a D, and will count in the GPA
A letter grade of F will appear on the transcript as an F, and will count in the GPA
Classes taken for P/D/F grades can be applied to general education requirements but not to major or minor requirements.
How to elect or revoke the P/D/F option
After the registration deadline for a term, students can elect P/D/F grading for any registered course. The deadline to make this election (or to undo it - also called “revoking”) is posted in the academic calendar. Students may not request P/D/F grading retroactively.
To elect the P/D/F Grading option:
NEW process as of fall 2023:
Barnard students will use SSOL to elect P/D/F grading
-Click here to elect a current course for P/D/F grading. (Use a browser other than Safari).
-Click on P/D/F grading then Grading Option Change Request.
This form can be used to elect Pass/D/Fail for a course where that option is not available in SSOL.
To undo/ revoke your p/d/f election - or switch the election to a different class (this must be done prior to the P/D/F grading deadline):
-Go to ssol.columbia.edu and go to Pass/D/Fail Uncover.
-Within 3 business days, the “Grading: Pass/Fail” note will have returned to “Graded” in Student Planning.
-If you revoke the P/D/F election, it will not count towards your p/d/f credit limit.
-If you drop or officially withdraw from a class that you had previously P/D/F'd, you should also revoke the p/d/f so that it won't count towards your P/D/F limit.
FAQ:
Q: My course doesn't have a P/D/F option in SSOL! Does that mean I can't take it p/d/f????
A: No! If you can't elect p/d/f in SSOL, you can use this Slate form to do it!
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