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!
Happy Friday, First Years!
My office hours, which are held from 10a-12p (every Friday!) will be on Zoom today. Here's the link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88600011761?pwd=wd3tawACx6AFUP48MbXO6bpDbbLFsJ.1
Stop by if you have any questions about classes or policies!
Hi First-Years!
Spring is approaching! That means the days are longer, the sun is warmer, and Barnard students far and wide emerge from hibernation. To celebrate the season, we’re here with a list of little-known Morningside Heights gems for you to check out – whether it’s a friend group excursion or a date for yourself, these museums and restaurants are a great way to spend an afternoon.
1. Nicholas Roerich Museum
Located on 107th St between Broadway and Riverside, this three-story museum is dedicated entirely to the work of Russian-born artist Nicholas Roerich. A painter, writer, and collector, Roerich’s works reflect his travels all over the world, both in content and form. Admission to the museum is free, and more information on visiting, the collection, and other events hosted by the Roerich museum is available at their website.
2. Saint John the Divine
Go a step further than eating your Hungarian pastry on the steps of St. John and take a look inside! This iconic Morningside Heights landmark (the largest cathedral in the country!) is just as beautiful on the inside as it is from the outside, and offers secular cultural events in addition to religious. You are invited to take a self-guided or public guided tour, and can even climb to the top of the cathedral! Tickets are $10 for a self-guided tour and $15-20 for a guided tour. Be sure to check out their website for your timed-entry ticket, as well as any exciting events that may be coming up.
3. General Grant’s Tomb
While we’re on the topic of huge, beautiful buildings, I’ll mention that Barnard is only a few short blocks from North America’s largest mausoleum – known colloquially as Grant’s Tomb. Located between beautiful Riverside and Sakura Parks, the memorial is a relaxing, uncrowded place to soak up some rays in the warm months.
4. Wallach Art Gallery
Located in the beautiful Lenfest Center for the Arts on 129th Street, the Wallach Art Gallery is free and open to the public. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6pm, Wallach showcases both student and professional exhibitions. Right now, you can see work from New Delhi-based photographer Gauri Gill and mixed-media artist Rosemary Mayer. Stay tuned to their website for more information on upcoming events and exhibitions.
5. Westsider Books
You’re going to have to take a stroll for this one, but I promise it’s worth it. Westsider Books, on 81st and Broadway, is a treasure trove of used books, plays, CDs, art, and more. Westsider dominates the Pinterest bookstore aesthetic, and while you would never just go for your camera roll (we know you’re quirky like that), the vibes are everything. If you love squeezing between narrow shelves and discovering used books you would never have otherwise read, then Westsider is the place for you.
6. La Salle Dumpling
For all of you who are tired of the same options at Milano, Chipotle, and Junzi, we’ll move onto the food portion of the guide. First up is La Salle Dumpling Room, found just north of campus on Broadway and La Salle. This cozy little restaurant is perfect for a date night or delivery. From scallion pancakes to kimchi bao to pork belly ramen, find out for yourself if La Salle really is what it claims to be: “The Best Asian Food in New York”.
7. V&T Pizza
New York, 1945. Two World War II veterans, Vincent and Tony Curcurato, have just returned from the war and are opening their very own restaurant and pizzeria. Even today, the original atmosphere of V&T’s, which has occupied its 110th and Amsterdam location for nearly 75 years, is preserved. Just past the Hungarian Pastry Stop, V&T’s is my go-to place for authentic New York Italian: pizza, pasta, chicken parm, cannolis, you name it! Be sure to check out this ideal birthday dinner location the next time you’re craving something homestyle and heartwarming.
8. Silver Moon Bakery
If you’ve walked down Broadway to get to Trader Joe’s or Broadway Bagels, then you’ve seen Silver Moon Bakery – or maybe you’ve smelled it. When you walk in, you find yourself tucked between high trays of freshly baked bread and pastries. The bustling people and voices behind the counter welcome you in, and they move the line along so efficiently that you almost don’t have time to decide which of the tempting baked goods to choose from! One of my favorite places for a quick breakfast date and some people-watching from their sidewalk seating, Silver Moon has been a quintessential Morningside Heights neighborhood joint since its opening in 2000. Spring is the perfect time to check out their seasonal breads!
9. Samad’s
You may not even know it, but you’ve spent this whole year walking past a top-notch Middle Eastern/Mediterranean deli with a $5 bacon egg and cheese. So next time you’re down on 111th, stop by Samad’s Gourmet for all sorts of Middle Eastern treats, drinks, and ingredients. In the back, you’ll find the deli, with trays of stuffed grape leaves and hummus, and some killer breakfast options. Toward the front are piles of baked goods and dates, and a smiling face behind the register. Everyone at Samad’s is super friendly, the service is quick, and you’ll spend half of what you would at Wu & Nuss and other breakfast spots. Five gold stars!
Now that you have your list of little-known local joints, you are ready to explore the neighborhood more in these coming warm days. Getting outside and trying new things is a great way to give yourself a revitalizing break during the stress of finals, and to reward yourself for all your hard work! Happy Spring, everyone!
Hi first-years!
For those who are prospective political science majors, the Political Science Department will be posting their Spring Program Planning meeting next Wednesday, April 3rd from 1-2 PM in Milstein LL001. Make sure to register by scanning the QR code on the flier below. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the political science major at Barnard and classes that will be offered next semester!
Hi first-years!
As we enter our last full month of this school year, we have loads of department meetings for you all to attend. The Biology Department will be hosting a program planning meeting on Friday, April 5th from 1-2 PM in Diana LL 103. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Fall 2024 coursework and ask any questions you may have about pursuing a biology major. Make sure to scan the QR code on the poster below to register!
Hi again!
Good news: the deadline to apply to become a Barnard Speaking Fellow has been extended! You now have until Friday, March 29th, at 11:59pm to apply to join the team. Speaking fellows create learning environments that empower students to explore, question, and reflect on their speaking and listening skills, and becoming a speaking fellow is a great way to build your own public speaking and professional skills. Relevant links below!
Link to apply: https://forms.gle/MZTfYC1NFBDdgeRc8
Meet with a Speaking Fellow about the application: speaking.mywconline.com
Learn more: barnard.edu/speaking-center
Contact us: speaking@barnard.edu
Happy Friday, First Years!
We have just received the information for this year's Barnard Bold Conference! The Barnard Bold Conference facilitates conversations between students, faculty, and staff to strengthen teaching and learning at Barnard. This year's conference will feature sessions on generative AI, facilitation, the politics of refusal, citation justice, and more. It will be held on campus next week, March 28th-29th. You can RSVP and find specific locations for each seminar using this link.
Hi First Years!
For more information, check out this blog post from Pooja!
And as usual, don't hesitate to email first-year@barnard.edu for any last minute questions.
Welcome back from break, everybody!
Hopping on here to let you all know that the Philosophy Program Planning meeting will be on Thursday, March 28 from 1pm-2pm in 326 Milbank Hall. You will be able to talk with faculty, meet other students, find out about Fall 2024 classes, ask all your questions, and have some pizza!
Hope you're having a good first day back. :)
Join us for the THE ALLY at the Public Theater on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00PM.
Written by Itamar Moses and Directed by Lila Neugebauer.
When college professor Asaf (Josh Radnor) is asked by a student to sign a social justice manifesto, what seems at first like a simple choice instead embroils him in an increasingly complex web of conflicting agendas that challenge his allegiances as a progressive, a husband, an artist, an academic, an American, an atheist, and a Jew. With tensions at an all-time high, Asaf is forced to confront the age-old question: “If I am only for myself, what am I?”
THE ALLY is a passionate, provocative, and unflinching new play about the vanishing line between the personal and the political.
Limited number of free tickets available for BCID participants. Please register here.
*Participation in this show includes a follow-up discussion on campus.
Sponsored by the Office of DEI
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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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 March 21, 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 towards 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 March 21, 2024.
Hi First-Years!
For all those considering being an Environmental Science, Environmental Biology, or Environmental and Sustainability major, mark your calendars for the department program planning meeting on April 11th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in 202 Altschul Hall. This is required for all majors.
There will be pizza with vegan and vegetarian options. Please RSVP to ccook@barnard.edu if you are attending or if you have any questions. Check out the flier below for more information!
