How to drop a class by the Oct 10 deadline

Friday, 9/15/2023 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the October 10 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before November 16)

Follow the easy online steps below to drop a class on or before the deadline. 

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

 

2. Submit the online Drop Request Form

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. 

*Note that you must drop on or before the drop deadline if you want the class removed from your transcript.

Argh my prof said I got in off the waitlist but it's after the registration deadline! Oh no; I forgot to add my zero-credit discussion section and now Student Planning won't let me!

 

Can't add something you totally have permission to join because it's the week after registration? In many cases you will need to petition the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing, but in some more straightforward cases, you can submit the Online Add Form, which will allow you to upload confirmation emails from the instructor and your adviser.

When can I use the Add Form?

• Add a course (after the course registration deadline) for which you are waitlisted
• Add a discussion or recitation section
• Add a lab or zero-point course
• Add a PE or Dance course
• Add a short course that has not yet begun
• Change Sections of a course (eg. section 02 to section 01)
• Change levels (eg. French II to French I) 

In all other cases, consult with your class dean about petitioning

Constitution Day with President Rosenbury!

Hello First-Years!

Please join President Rosenbury and the Office of Community Engagement & Inclusion for a screening of Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” and a robust conversation about the legacy of the Constitution for our campus community on Tuesday, September 19th at 6:00PM in Held Auditorium, Barnard Hall. Dinner and snacks will be provided! All are welcome! RSVP here.

Best,

The First-Year Team

Save the Date: Convocation will be held on Sept 18 at 4:30 pm

 

Convocation will be held on Monday, September 18, at 4:30 p.m. and all students are encouraged to attend. This ceremony is one of Barnard’s most enduring traditions, as it marks the beginning of the academic year, celebrating all new and returning students. All members of the Barnard community are invited.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Herminia Palacio, Barnard alumna from the class of 1983, a physician who has led several major public health initiatives both in city government and in the nonprofit sector. 

P.S. First-year students always pack the house at Convocation. Help keep this tradition alive by participating in this year's procession!

Fall 2023 1-2 credit course options

 Fall 2023 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.

Pro Tip:

Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to register in advance for PE. Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space

2. Take a dance class

Dance classes 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 a Point 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.

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

• Check the Music Performance Program for information about vocal and instrumental ensembles, and individual vocal and instrumental music lessons, which will also be listed in the Music Department and Music Performance Program pages of the Columbia Directory 

• Be sure to refer to the 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.

• Classes in Ear Training, at a variety of levels, are also an option
  
  

b. If you're interested in Physics/Astronomy, Biology, Environmental Science, Psychology

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

Or, check out an intro-level seminar in one of the above listed disciplines, such as   

Frontiers of Astrophysics (1 credit)

c. 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.

d. 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.

e. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
*search the CU Directory of Classes for "course date" to see when the course starts & ends*

One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Search The SIPA Catalogue or the SIPA page of the CU Directory of Classes for 1-1.5-credit courses. You can't just register online for these.  Here is the procedure:

1. 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)

2. 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).

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

4. Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form.

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.

SSOL can help you find open classes, see how long waitlists are, and what your position is on them

 Here is a picture guide to help you all search for classes using SSOL:

DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia Info Session

Hello First-Years!

There will be an info session on the DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia program on Thursday, September 14th, from 3-4PM in Milstein LL016. Come meet with a representative of the program and learn more about the many academic tracks available in both Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. You can find the event listing here.

Best,

The First-Year Team

CEP Workshops: Visualizing Goals & The Joy & Science of Notetaking!

Hello First-Years,

Welcome to Barnard! The Center for Engaged Pedagogy looks forward to kicking off the year with two exciting workshops to start your semester strong. We also offer learning resources covering a variety of topics on our website. We hope to see you soon!

Visualizing Goals for the Fall Semester | Thursday, Sept. 21, 4-5PM | Milstein LL016 

Join the CEP for a workshop on visualizing goals and setting intentions for the fall semester. We will set achievable goals together and talk through strategies to work towards them. We will also create vision boards and practice visualization techniques. RSVP here.

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The Joy and Science of Note-Taking | Monday, Sept. 25, 4:15 - 5:30PM | Diana 203 

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 CEP for a note-taking workshop. Come discuss and learn about note-taking habits, techniques, and practices for readings, lectures, and discussion-based courses. You'll leave with note-taking templates and supplies! RSVP here.