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. 

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. 

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!

Cognitive Science Open House

 Hi First-Years!

Please join the Cognitive Science Program for our Open House on Wednesday, October 9^th from 6pm-7pm in Sulzberger Parlor (3^rd 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

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!

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!

SAVE THE DATE for this Year's Major Fair

 Hi First-Years! 

See below for the flier on this year's major fair which will take place on Tuesday, October 15th from 3:30-5:30 P.M. in the Diana Event Oval. 

Message from the English Department: Explore the English Major Party!

Hi First-Years!

Check out this message from the English Department below:

We'd like to invite you to a major party! Or rather, an "explore the English Major Party," this coming Wednesday, September 25th from 5:30-7:30 in Sulzberger Parlor on the third floor of Barnard Hall.  

Would you like to learn more about the English Major?   

To learn more about the requirements, and how simple it is to double-major?   

To learn of future career possibilities (we are one of the great preparatory majors for both Law and Medicine).     

To meet the faculty and hear of their interests? 

To engage in a few speculative acts of literary or filmic interpretation?  

If so, come THIS WEDNESDAY from 5:30-7:30 pm in Sulzberger Parlor.  We'll provide pizza and snacks. Please come!  

As always, please reach out to first-year@barnard.edu with any questions or concerns.

Best,

The First-Year Team

Need an extra credit or two this fall? Here are a few options

If you're having trouble getting up to the number of credits you need and are looking for a 1-2-credit course to add, here are some options and tips. While it is too late to add many of these, several of the short courses at the School of International and Public Affairs or in Computer Science may not have started yet.

**Be sure to check course descriptions for special registration procedures or necessary permissions.

Know of something that's not on here? Email first-year@barnard.edu, and we'll add it!

1-2 credit course options:

1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.

Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. PE courses may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits and will then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.

2. Take a dance class

Barnard dance technique classes are now TWO CREDITS. They may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request 2 points of Dance Credit.

 

3. Depending on your background and interests, here are some popular ways to enrich your academic experience while also adding a credit or two. 

Pro tips:
Some of these may be full, but you may be able to join a waiting list.  Be sure to check course descriptions for prerequisites or special registration procedures!

For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:

Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers -- see the Barnard Music Department website for info on auditions, voice lessons, and fees
Voice Lessons or Jazz or Classical Music Lessons -- see Music Department website for info about auditions and fees 
These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students. Ear Training -- offered on a variety of levels, check Music Dept course listings for details 

For  students with some computer programming experience:
Programming Languages -- COMS-W3101.
Development Technology -- COMS-W3102

Check Computer Science Course Listings for current options. Sometimes these classes are added later than others, so if you don't see them now, you might find them during the fall semester.


If you're interested in science, math, statistics, or other quantitative fields:

Contact your department to see if you can earn credit for supervised research in a professor's lab

Or:

Chemical Engineering for Humanity

Frontiers of Astrophysics 

Science and Scientists 

Undergraduate Seminar in Statistics

If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:

Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.

g. If you have background in some languages and want to improve your fluency:

Check the course listings for 2-credit Intermediate or Advanced Conversation classes in French, Italian, or German,

Or supervised readings in languages -- varies each semester: past options have included Dutch, Sinhala, and Zulu.

h. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics:
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA) -- some meet the first half of the semester, some the second half, and some for just a few long and intensive sessions.

Search The SIPA Catalogue or Vergil for 1-2-credit SIPA classes for  courses and *check the course dates to see when the course starts & ends*. You can't just register online for these.  Here is the procedure:

Check to see if the class you want is on the list of SIPA courses approved for Barnard students (forthcoming -- link will be added when available; in the meantime, use your judgment to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development) 

Double-check the course description to make sure your preferred class has not already met too much for you to be able to reasonably join it. 

Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine). 

Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum.

Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form (if the course has not yet started) or the petition to late-add (if the course has very recently started and you have instructor permission).

4. Search Vergil for courses between 0 and 2 credits.
You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.

Pro Tip:
Check the detailed course descriptions in the Directory of Classes for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.

How to search Vergil for classes with open seats and other relevant criteria

 

Columbia has launched an updated Course Search in Vergil, which Barnard students can also use. 

The tool has similar search criteria as Student Planning, including the ability to look for classes that satisfy Barnard General Education (Foundations) requirements, classes with a particular number of credits, etc. 

NOTE ON FOUNDATIONS REQS: for Barnard requirements, be sure to cross reference anything found here with the Slate listing of courses approved for Foundations requirements.

It also has the option to “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results. 

You can also filter by term, number of credits, Foundations designation (again confirm this with the Barnard page!), course number, and more!

PE Classes Still Open!

 Hi First-Years!

Happy second day of classes! We wanted to let you know that the PE Department has notified us that there are still openings in select PE classes. You can find the full list of Barnard PE courses on the CU Directory along with the enrollment numbers. 

Reminder: There are more PE classes available in the Fall than the Spring so we highly encourage all students to try to get into a PE if possible this semester. You should aim to get into a class or get on the waitlist if you were not able to over the summer, and attend the first class the week of September 9. 

With any questions, please reach out to Laura Masone at lmasone@barnard.edu or the Physical Education department at physed@barnard.edu.

Best, 

The First Year Team