Welcome to a comprehensive list of terms you may hear in relation to all things Barnard-- social, academic, financial, you name it! Email us at first-year@barnard.edu with any questions!
Academic Terms
Corequisite
A course that is required to be taken at the same time as another. The corequisite usually supplements the primary course with additional background and understanding. While a corequisite is normally a lab or recitation class that is intended to go with the course, it can sometimes be a completely different course altogether. For example, General Chemistry I lab is a corequisite for General Chemistry I lecture. The math class Calculus I is a corequisite for the physics course Introduction to Mechanics and Thermodynamics.Course Works (also referred to as Canvas)
The website where your professors will usually post your class syllabus, readings, and grades. Some assignments will be submitted via Course Works and actually done on the Course Works site, like weekly discussion posts. The Course Works website is courseworks2.columbia.edu and uses your Columbia user login and password (this may be different from your Barnard login, depending on how you set it up).Discussion Sections
A once weekly, 50 minute discussion group that usually accompanies a large lecture course. In your discussion section, you’ll discuss the course readings and lectures and you can clarify any confusion about the material you may have. Discussion sections are usually led by a TA but can also be led by the instructorDouble Space
Most professors will have specific formatting requirements when you write a paper. Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the required formatting for a paper is 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font, double spaced. Double space refers to the amount of space between the lines on the page and can be changed in the format tab of whatever writing application you’re using (Google Docs, Word, etc.)Dropping a Course
Honestly, one of the best parts about college is that you get to decide your own schedule. And if you don’t like a course? You can peace out, girl scout and drop the class. Dropping a course is unregistering for and unenrolling from a course. When you drop a course, it is removed from your schedule, removed from your transcript, and does not affect your GPA. You can drop a course via Student Planning by the drop deadline listed on the Academic Calendar.Exam Hardship
When finals season nears and you get your exam schedule, you may see that all of your exams could be scheduled for the same time. If you have two exams scheduled at the same time, 3 exams scheduled in a 24 hour period, or 4 exams scheduled in a 48 hour period, this is known as an exam hardship. An exam hardship is when your exam schedule is very hectic and very difficult. If this happens, you can contact the Registrar’s Office (registra@barnard.edu) and ask to reschedule one of your exams. Please note that this only applies to in-class exams, not papers or projects.Extensions
Sometimes, you’re not going to finish a project on time. Maybe you got sick, you had an emergency, or you just ran out of time. Fear not! In college you can get an extension. An extension is simply just a later due date for an assignment. To get an extension, you’ll have to contact your professor and ask for it. You can email and explain why you need some extra time. Most professors are very understanding and can give you a few extra days to complete your work. Don’t make it a habit, however. You should always aim to turn work in on time. But once in a while, it is absolutely okay to ask for one. Keep in mind that you can ask for an extension on almost any assignment except a final exam or paper. Since grades are due by a certain time, an extension at the end of the semester is not always possible. Extensions are a casual process and will not affect your grade or GPA.
Incompletes
An incomplete is for when you cannot finish a class by the intended due date. An incomplete is different from an extension because it is a formal process and affects your transcript. An incomplete says that you are formally asking for extra time. You’ll have an I on your transcript until you complete the work. Incompletes are typically used when there is a significant barrier to you completing your work on time, like serious illness or emergency. If you’re interested in taking an incomplete, contact your Class Dean.Midterms
Anything that is not a final exam, but is a serious assignment and a significant portion of your grade could be considered a midterm. A midterm is typically an exam in STEM and language courses and a paper in humanities courses. Courses could have anywhere from 1 to 3 midterms in a semester. Despite its name, a midterm does not have to be given in the midpoint of the semester.Office Hours
Office Hours are a set time frame where once or twice a week, a professor will be in their office and available to speak to students. This is an opportunity to ask questions, get clarification on course materials, discuss the readings, or ask about assignments. Office Hours are a great opportunity to do better in class and get to know your faculty members. They’re an underutilized resource by students. During a set office hours, you do not generally have to make an appointment to meet with your professor. However, some professors may have on their syllabus “office hours by appointment”, meaning that you do have to set up a meeting. If your professor has set office hours and you cannot attend those, you can ask for a separate meeting. If your course has a TA, your TA might also have office hours, especially if they lead a discussion section or are a grader for the course. If your TA grades an assignment of yours, you should go to their office hours to discuss it.Pass/D/Fail
Another perk of college is that you can take a class and you don’t even have to get a grade for it, but it will still count towards your graduation and fulfill Foundations requirements. To do this, you take a class Pass/D/Fail, or P/D/F for short. You can P/D/F any course outside your major or minor that you want. But if you’re taking prereqs for grad school outside your major, like pre-med requirements, you shouldn’t P/D/F those. Beyond that though, the options are limitless! If you get between an A and C in the course, it will be listed as a P on your transcript, if you get a D, it’s listed as a D, and if you fail, it’s listed as an F. A bonus of P/D/F is that if you like your grade in a course, you can uncover it and have the grade shown on your transcript after the semester ends. You can both declare a P/D/F and uncover the grade on myBarnard. For Fall 2023 classes, you can begin electing P/D/F after shopping period ends. Starting in Fall 2023, the P/D/F limit will be changed to one course per term. Previously, students were limited to 23 credits of elected P/D/F across all 4 years (22 credits for transfers). Note: all First Year Writing, First Year Writing Workshop, First Year Seminar, and PE courses are mandatory pass/fail. Please know that the College has taken into consideration issues like the Dean’s List and overall GPA to make sure that this does not disadvantage students.
Petitioning for a Class/Requirement
Sometimes, a class isn’t listed on the Slate list and you think it should be. This happens sometimes with brand new courses that haven’t been reviewed and posted on the list yet. If you take a course and you want it to count for a Foundations requirement, the semester after you’ve completed the course you can petition the Committee on Instruction. For more info on this, contact your faculty advisor.Prerequisite
A prerequisite is a course you must take before you can take another. It’s usually used in a class with a course sequence like biology or chemistry. It can also be used for higher level courses in a department who want to make sure you take the intro level course. For example, Introduction to Film and Media Studies is a prerequisite for most other film courses. Required prerequisites are usually listed in the course description on the class directory.Reading Week
Reading Week is the 3 day period between when classes end and exams begin every semester. Do not be fooled by the name, it is not a week. It is three days. Classes will end on a Monday and exams can start on the following Friday. During Reading Week, that’s when the libraries start to be open 24/7, many groups and offices on campus hold study breaks, and it is a prime time to figure out what your exam study plan is.Recitation
A recitation is like a discussion section, but for labs. It’s basically the same thing. Don’t ask me why it has a different name, it just does.Shopping Week / Add/Drop Period
The first two weeks of every semester is known as the add/drop period or shopping period. It’s a magical time where you can try as many classes as you want and change your schedule to your heart’s desire. You can add or drop as many classes to your schedule as you like before the end of the shopping period. Whatever is on your schedule for the semester at the end of the shopping period is what you must take. After this point, you can only drop classes, you cannot add them. You have to have a minimum of 12 credits at the end of shopping period to be a full-time student.Slate
Slate is the list that shows what courses have been approved for what Foundations requirement. It is updated semesterly. Linked here.TA - Teaching Assistant
Larger lecture courses and science classes usually have a TA, or teaching assistant, attached to them. TAs are usually graduate students at Columbia who are earning advanced degrees in the subject of the course, but sometimes they’re older undergrad students. TAs will lead discussion sections, grade some assignments for the course, and can offer help rooms or review sessions of course material. Your TA is like a second professor for the class. They’re extremely helpful and hardworking and students just like you.“The Reading”
On the first day of class, you’ll get a syllabus with the material you’re supposed to have prepared for each day. The material is usually articles, books, chapters of a textbook, etc. The material you’re supposed to read is called “the reading”. As in, “have you done the reading?” or “do you have any questions about the reading?”. You may or may not discuss readings in class, but you’ll definitely talk about them in a discussion section and you’ll use them for exams and papers.Thesis
Every major at Barnard requires a senior capstone of some sort. It can be a research project, a seminar, or a project. A traditional thesis is a long paper (a minimum of about 30-60 pages) focused on a single topic. During the spring when theses are due, give your senior friends some extra support.Waitlists
Waitlists are how you can potentially get into a class if it is full. When a class is at enrollment capacity, a waitlist can be formed. You can add yourself to the waitlist on Student Planning and check your waitlist position on SSOL. There are two types of waitlists - automatic and instructor managed. When someone drops a class, an automatic waitlist will move the student at the top of the waitlist into the class. For an instructor managed waitlists, the professor will move people from waitlisted to enrolled. This is usually for classes that have an application or are higher level.Withdrawal
Withdrawal is when you unenroll from a course but after the drop deadline. Unlike when you drop a course, a withdrawal will appear on your transcript as a W. You won’t get a grade in the course and it won’t affect your GPA, but the notation is there. If the fact that it leaves a W on your transcript scares you, don’t be. There are completely valid reasons for withdrawing from a course after the drop deadline. If you’re thinking of withdrawing from a course, speak to your faculty advisor or class dean.
Columbia and Barnard Specific Terms
4+1 Programs
Columbia and Barnard offer a variety of combined bachelor’s and master’s programs just for Columbia undergrads. If someone is in a 4+1 program, it means that they’re taking their final undergrad and beginning grad classes during their senior year and completing a 2 year master’s program in one year. This is a really great opportunity for people who want to go to grad school right away and save a year. If you’re interested, contact Beyond Barnard for details.BC/CC/SEAS/GS
Columbia University has 4 undergraduate colleges, usually referred to by their initials. BC is Barnard College, the best college at Columbia. CC is Columbia College, the main undergraduate college at Columbia. SEAS is short for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It’s the engineering school and where the super STEM-y people are at Columbia. GS is the School of General Studies. GS is for non-traditional students - so dual degree students, people who have taken time off from school, professionals getting their degrees, and a substantial amount of military vets.Core Classes
CC, SEAS, and GS all complete the Columbia Core, Columbia’s undergrad curriculum. If you ever hear about classes like Lit Hum, Art Hum, Music Hum, Global Core, CC (standing for Contemporary Civilizations here, not Columbia College), UWriting, or FroSci - those are Core Classes. They do not apply to Barnard, we have our own curriculum.Course Pack
Some classes, especially literature and history classes, may require a booklet of required reading to be bought called a Course Pack. Course Packs can be purchased at Village Copier at 118th and Amsterdam. Be careful because Course Packs cannot be returned once they’re purchased, so make sure you’re actually taking the course before you buy it. Your professors will instruct you on how to get Course Packs this semester if they require one for their class.Dual Degree
Columbia and Barnard offer many dual degree programs - a pathway that allows students to earn 2 bachelor’s degrees in 4 years. The dual degree programs are between Columbia and the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) on 121st Street, Science Po in France, Trinity College in Dublin, and the City University of Hong Kong. Students split their 4 years between the campuses, usually spending 2 years at Columbia and 2 at the other campus (except JTS, since they’re both right here). All dual degree programs are housed at GS, except JTS where can be done at either Barnard or GS.Enrollment Confirmation
Enrollment Confirmation is a procedure you have to do every semester to confirm that you are indeed enrolled for the semester. In the past it has been an online form that you fill out that must be done on campus using a campus computer or Barnard WiFi. However, beginning Fall 2020, final enrollment confirmation has entailed both a student’s successful registration for classes and remittance of Term Bill payment (net of financial aid) by the semester registration/add deadline (end of the second week of classes). Proper remittance also now includes students who are up to date on their Term Bill payment plan. Students who have not completed both of these processes by the semester registration/add deadline will be deregistered for courses and, therefore, considered not enrolled for the semester. Students will then automatically be placed on a personal leave of absence and should be aware of leave implications for Academic Year 2023-24.Foundations
Foundations is Barnard’s very own curriculum. It’s super flexible and customizable because there is no one course every Barnard student is required to take beyond First-Year Writing and First-Year Seminar -- and even with those you have a lot of options. Look here for more info on Foundations.SSOL
SSOL stands for Student Services Online, Columbia’s online administrative/registrar site. The only major use of SSOL for Barnard students is to look at your position on the waitlist and add dining dollars to your meal plan.Vergil
Vergil is a website you can use to find and plan courses for the semester. However, you cannot import your schedule and register for classes into Student Planning from Vergil. Some people use it, some don’t. Whatever floats your boat.
Financial Aid Terms
Demonstrated Need
Demonstrated need is determined by the difference of the total cost of attendance and how much you/your family can pay as determined by financial forms. Barnard/CU calculate this using two main documents: FAFSA and CSS Financial Aid profile. In addition, they look at tax documents, family income, government benefits, etc. They also consider factors like tuition for other siblings and cost of living in your area.
Direct PLUS Loan
Each college's financial aid office works with the U.S. Department of Education to offer this loan. If the student chooses to accept this loan, the student borrows directly from the federal government and has a contract for repaying the loan. PLUS loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.
Subsidized are for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest is charged until after graduation. Unsubsidized are not based on financial need and interest is charged once the loan is disbursed.
Grants
Grants are money that go to your tuition that do not have to be repaid. Grants can come from the government, your college or a private or nonprofit organization.
Net Price
Net price is the college's cost of attendance minus the grants, scholarships, tuition waivers and other gift aid a student receives for one year of college.
Work Study
Work Study gives undergraduate students the option to work part-time jobs allowing them to earn money to help pay for expenses. See this blog for answers to frequently asked questions about work study on campus.
Student Life
Buy/Sell/Memes
This is a Facebook meme page created by Lauren Beltrone, BC '17 and Christina Hill CC '19. With over 46,000 members, the page gets several posts per day with funny memes about the Columbia experience.
Buy/Sell/Trade
Barnard Buy/Sell/Trade and Columbia Morningside Buy/Sell are great places to get deals on used clothing, dorm decor and other items. Anyone can post an item for sale or trade and a description. Prices are negotiated by individual sellers!
McAC
McIntosh Activities Council is Barnard's programming board. They plan some of Barnard's favorite traditions on campus including Big Sub, Midnight Breakfast, Founders Day and more! McAC will have space for new students to get involved during their first semester on campus and is a great way to jump into the Barnard community.
Dining Plans
Every student with a meal plan is given a select number of swipes, points or both. Swipes allow a student to access dining halls. You can have a certain amount of swipes per week or semester. Points are used as Barnard’s currency in non-dining hall food spaces on campus such as Diana Cafe, Liz's Place, the Bubble Tea/Sushi Spot, and Vending Machines. Columbia students have dining dollars, which are similar to points and can be used at Barnard. However, Barnard points cannot be used at Columbia. Swipes can be used at Hewitt, Diana Cafe, Ferris, John Jay, JJ’s Place, Chef Mike's Sub Shop, and Chef Don's Pizza Pi.
SGA
The Student Government Association of Barnard College facilitates the expression of opinions on matters affecting the community through active communication between students, administration and faculty. There are many forms of collaboration including committees, weekly Representative Council meetings, and more that create an open dialogue and active change throughout the community. There will be Zoom information sessions about first-year elections during the first few weeks of the semester; details will be shared with students closer to the time.
WBAR
WBAR is an independent, free-form, non-commercial non-profit radio station broadcasting from the Barnard College campus. All programming is generated entirely by on-campus DJ's, with a new show spinning every 2 hours.
Student Services
Nightline
Nightline peer listening is an anonymous peer listening service; their hours of operation and new phone number are still being finalized for the upcoming semester (in the past they have been open every night from 10pm-3am). Listeners are empathetic undergraduate students of Columbia who are trained and certified to work with Nightline. If you are looking for support as an undergrad student, peer listeners will speak to you for as long as you want or need about anything you're going through.
Access Barnard: Access Barnard is the one stop shop for OP, FLI, and International students. They offer many services, such as the Pre-Orientation Program, Peer Mentoring, Peer Academic Advisors (PAAs), Global Ambassadors, Lending Library, Supplemental Academic Support Application (SASA), and many community events! They are located on the first floor of Milbank Hall and have a really great lounge that you can't miss.
Beyond Barnard
Beyond Barnard supports students and alumni of Barnard College with careers, experiential education (student jobs, internships, civic engagement, and post-grad programming) , fellowships, research and grad school applications. Beyond Barnard is located at the second floor of Elliott Hall.
Borrow Direct
The Borrow Direct service enables current students, faculty and staff from the University to request material from the libraries of the Ivy Leagues and other prestigious colleges across the US.
Bursar
The Bursar is the office that handles all tuition payments to the College. They are the ones that bill you and can help sort out any confusion about what you owe. They are in the basement of Milbank Hall.CUEMS
CUEMS, who’s real name is the Columbia University Emergency Medical Service, is the student run ambulance service on campus. They operate 24/7 and are fully trained medics who can help you in almost any situation. If you need an ambulance, it’s faster to call CUEMS. If you call 911 on campus, the dispatch will direct your call to CUEMS anyway so it’s faster to call them directly. Their number is 212-854-5555 and you should 100% have their number saved in your phone. If you’re interested in getting CPR certified or would like to join CUEMS, you would typically be able to attend an info session in the fall.Furman
The Rosemary Furman Counseling Center is the major mental health resource center on campus. They provide group and individual counseling, workshops, and referrals for all your mental health needs; they also offer virtual services. Furman is on the first floor of Hewitt Hall.IMATS
IMATS provides technology and equipment for learning and will rent out space and tools to students. This includes things like cameras, microphones, lights, camera stands, and more. They also have post-production software and equipment for student use. They are located on the second floor of Milstein.CARDS: Center for Accessibility Resources and Disability Services (formerly ODS)
The Center for Accessibility Resources and Disabilities serves students with physical, mental, and invisible disabilities and helps students gain the accommodations they need, both in the dorms and in classrooms. They are in the basement of Altschul, right past the Mail Room.OMBUDS
The OMBUDS office provides a space for confidential and anonymous reporting about anything concerning Barnard. You can go to report an issue just to let them know it’s happening, or they can provide further tools and resources to resolve the problem.PCHS
Primary Care Health Services focuses on your physical well-being. They have clinic hours for when you get sick, can provide medication prescriptions, and refer you out for specialized services. They also provide resources on vaccinations, nutrition, sexual health, and trans health. They are in the basement of Brooks Hall.
Peer-to-Peer Learning PPeer-to-Peer Learning is a free tutoring service run out of the Dean of Studies Office. They offer drop-in Help Rooms in specific subjects a few times a week and also can do small group tutoring if you need some regular, individualized help. You also can work as a peer tutor after you’ve completed a class.
Personal Librarian
Your Personal Librarian is there to help you find books for class, assist with research assignments, and can help you access the FLIP Library, a free lending library designed for first-generation and low-income students to access specific course books they may need for class. They also can help you borrow books from other universities and access all the wonderful services the library has to offer. Their services are detailed here.
Registrar
The Registrar’s Office is all about your schedule and classes. If you have an issue registering for a class, need a transcript, or want to request a P/D/F, that all goes to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office can also help with degree audits, transfer credits, and study abroad credits. They are on the first floor of Milbank, in Milbank 105 with the Deans' Office.SVR
Sexual Violence Response (SVR) is a resource on campus that provides crisis counseling and intervention, sexual assault advocacy and prevention, and rape crisis resources and support. They also have a 24/7 hotline open every single day of the year and have offices on Columbia’s, Barnard’s, and the medical campus. They are currently offering walk-ins and virtual appointments.Writing/Speaking Fellows
Writing Fellows and Speaking Fellows are specially trained students who are here to help you with any writing assignment or oral presentation. They can help you at any stage in the writing process to develop your ideas, edit your writing, and give a final read through before you turn something in. Speaking Fellows can help you practice your speeches to feel confident and prepared for an in class presentation.
