Classics & Ancient Studies Program planning (+ Thesis Preview) on April 10th!

Hello First-Years

Please see the flyer down below for the upcoming Classics & Ancient Studies Program Planning that will take place on Friday, April 10th from 3:30PM-5PM in 214 Milbank. 

Human Rights Open House on April 8th!

Hello First-Years!

Please join the Human Rights Program for our their upcoming Open House on Wednesday, April 8 from 4PM-5PM in 119 Milstein. Come talk with faculty, meet other students, learn about the combined major, find out about Fall 2026 courses, and ask all your questions! 

Refreshments will be served. All are welcome!

Computer Science open house on April 7th!

Hello First-Years!

Please see the flyer down below for an upcoming open house for Computer Science taking place on Tuesday, April 7th from 4:00-5:30PM in Milstein 514 - CSC Social Space if your are interested!

Office Hours with Fall 2026 Registration Coming Up

Good morning, First-Years!

I hope your breaks were as restorative or exciting as you intended! I just wanted to send a reminder, with class registration fast approaching (IT WILL BE ON APRIL 15TH!!!!), that I am happy to chat about any questions, worries, or concerns you all might have. My office hours are technically Thursdays 4-5pm, but if that doesn't work for your schedule, we can certainly find a time. Additionally, if you email first-year@barnard.edu, I will respond ASAP (generally by the next morning).

Seven weeks until you're sophomores, cheers!

Sophia

First-Year Class Dean 2025-2026 Walk-In Hours! -- Walk-ins canceled today on 3/16!

Got a quick question?

Need to talk to a dean ASAP?

If you have something complicated or want to be sure you can talk at length, please make an appointment via Dean Siegel's online scheduler.

Mondays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time -- Walk-ins are canceled on 3/16

• Enter waiting room via this Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank,
  
• We will see students on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• If we run out of time and can't see you, we apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to schedule an appointment, to try walk-ins on a different day, or for time-sensitive matters, to call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.

Fridays 2:00-3:30pm Eastern Time

• Enter waiting room via this Friday Afternoon Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank.
  
• We will see students on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• If we run out of time and can't see you, we apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to schedule an appointment, to try walk-ins on a different day, or for time-sensitive matters, to call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.

NOTE: If you need to schedule an appointment with Dean Siegel, please note that she typically works remotely on Tuesdays, so all meetings will be conducted virtually over Zoom or via phone call ONLY on that day

Housing Zine

Happy Soon-to-be Spring Break!

For those of you who live on campus, the Housing Lottery can seem like a momentous undertaking, but despite the chaos, all tends to end up the way it should! I made a zine to walk through the process, but make sure to click around the Barnard Room Selection page for the best information! The Available Rooms Sheet will be added sometime over break!

Click here for the zine!

Hope you all get some much-needed rest!

Sophia

How to elect the P/D/F option by the **May 4** deadline

The last day to elect or undo the p/d/f option is the last day of classes, May 4, 2026 (unlike in past years, it is not the same as the W deadline -- W deadline remains March 26).

**Special note for graduating seniors-- you cannot uncover grades of P from a course taken during  your last semester. 

Also, note that courses taken p/d/f this year are subject to the current rules. Read all about p/d/f on the Registrar's website.

• Barnard students can elect P/D/F grading in one course per term during the academic year (fall/spring).  This is in addition to any courses with mandatory pass/fail grading.  A class in which the P grade is uncovered is still counted towards the one course per term P/D/F limit.
• Classes taken for P/D/F grading can be applied to general education requirements. 
• You cannot elect P/D/F grading for any course that is needed to fulfill major or minor requirements.  It is your responsibility to be sure that you understand this policy and to consult with your department if you have any questions.  Please note that if you elect P/D/F grading in a class that your Department Chair determines is required for your major or minor requirements, the “pass” grade will be administratively uncovered by the Registrar’s Office at the point of graduation, which could affect both your term and cumulative gpa. Dean’ List status can also be affected by this.

Grading

The instructor is not informed when a student elects the P/D/F grading option. The instructor will assign a letter grade in SSOL, which will be converted to P/D/F on your transcript.

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.

To elect the P/D/F Grading option:

-If you are interested in electing Pass/D/Fail (P/D/F) grading for a particular course, we recommend that you speak with your academic adviser or class dean to discuss this decision and whether it will be beneficial for your specific situation and longer-term goals.

-This option is open in Vergil through the P/D/F deadline (see academic calendar).

-If you are already registered for the class, click the "manage" button and change the grading option to P/D/F.

-If you are newly registering for the class, you can select the P/D/F grading option while registering.

This form can be used to elect Pass/D/Fail for a course where that option is not available in Vergil.

Pro Tip:

-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 Vergil! Does that mean I can't take it p/d/f????

A: No! If you can't elect p/d/f in Vergil, you can use this Slate form to do it!

The Peter Juviler and Dennis Dalton Human Rights Fellowship Fund

The Peter Juviler and Dennis Dalton Human Rights Fellowship Fund supports summer research and internships for students studying human rights, social justice, and peace studies. This fund is open to all students. To apply, you must submit a proposal, budget, a letter of support from a Barnard or Columbia faculty member, and a letter of support from an affiliate organization by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Below are guidelines for the application: 

The Proposal (two pages maximum, double spaced, one-inch margins): A narrative description of the research project and how the funds will contribute to its success. Questions to consider: 

• Where do you intend to go? 
• What will you do there and how long will you need to stay? 
• Have you made contact with any on-site individuals or institutions whose cooperation will be critical to your research? If yes, provide details. 
• How has your research grown out of your academic pursuits? 

Letter of Recommendation: The faculty letter of support should be written by a person familiar with your project and should address both the importance of this project and your qualifications. 

Proposed Budget: A one-page detailed budget, preferably in chart form. Provide details regarding  expenses including transportation, daily living costs such as lodging and food, and other fees or costs associated with your project.  Past grants have generally been in the $2500-$3000 range.  

A letter of support from an affiliate organization: The affiliate letter should be written by a person who you will work closely with and has an understanding of how you will engage with the organization. 

If your project involves human subjects, please go to the Respectful Treatment of Research Participants page and click on the link for Student as PI Worksheet, and submit the completed form with your proposal. Proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the Faculty Committee on Honors. Bear in mind that although some members of the Committee may be experts in your field, most will not be; it will be wise to tailor your proposal accordingly. Grant recipients will be required to provide a report (of up to three pages) describing how the funding contributed to their project or overall academic or intellectual growth.

Please direct any questions to Professor Timothy Vasko at tvasko@barnard.edu, Director of the Human Rights Program, or to Dean Erica Siegel at esiegel@barnard.edu

Submit Your Electronic Application

The Barnard Writing and Speaking Center is Open!

Hello First-Years!

We are excited to announce that the Writing and Speaking Center is open! Now, you can begin scheduling appointments to meet with our fellows.

The Center is here to support you at any stage of your writing or speaking projects—whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, revising, or preparing a presentation!

Writing Fellows are generous and critical readers who ask questions to help writers clarify, explain, expand, and explore their writing. We believe–and our practice reflects–that every piece a writer brings us belongs to the voice of the writer. We are active and interested observers. 

Speaking Fellows are trained peers who support students in all speaking-related projects and processes. This includes helping students overcome fears about speaking in public, preparing for presentations, facilitating or participating in classroom discussions, and more!

Science Writing Fellows are a subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support all students in developing tools to describe and interpret data, use scientific language clearly and concisely, and blend the skills learned in humanities classes with scientific ones. 

Creative Writing Fellows are a new subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support students working on creative writing of any form at any stage –brainstorming, revising, editing, receiving feedback, and more!

All fellows can work with all types of writing and students. You can make an appointment here

We look forward to working with you this semester!

Sincerely,

Pam Cobrin (pcobrin@barnard.edu)

Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program

Daniela Kempf (dkempf@barnard.edu)

Associate Director, Barnard Speaking Program

Alex Watson (awatson@barnard.edu)

Associate Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program

Diya Reddy (dkr2126@barnard.edu)

Program Administrator, Barnard Writing and Speaking Programs

Maisha Alam (malam@barnard.edu)

Science Fellow Coordinator, Barnard Writing Fellows Program

Honor Board Application and Tabling!

Hello First-Years!

Please see the flyer down below if you are interested in applying to join the Honor Board for the 2026-2027 academic year! You can find the application form here. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 27th by 11:59PM

There will be an Honor Board Recruitment Tabling taking place next week on Wednesday, March 11th from 2PM-4PM and Thursday, March 12th from 12PM-2PM in the Diana Center Lobby. If you have time next week, please feel free to stop by the table and say hi!

Philosophy Program Planning

Happy Almost-Weekend, First-Years!

Check out the Philosophy Major Program Planning Meeting! Banter with the big thinkers of Barnard Tuesday, March 10th, from 4-5 in Milbank 326! Use this link to join their mailing list!

Have a great weekend!

Sophia

Academic Coaching walk-in hours!

We are now in the second half of the semester, and the Academic Coaches in the Deans’ Office for Advising and Support are here to help you cross the finish line with tips, tricks, and a space to get stuff done!

If you are feeling stressed about exams and papers, need help organizing your study plan, or want to learn some new study strategies, come chat with an academic coach. 

Sign up for a time that works for you using this RSVP form. Walk-in hours will be held before and after spring break and the two weeks before reading period. 

We hope to see you there!

How do I withdraw from a class with a W by the March 26 deadline?

 

 

The deadline to withdraw from a spring 2026 class is March 26. Withdrawn classes will not affect your GPA and you will not earn credit for them, but they will remain on your transcript, and a W will be entered in place of the final grade. 

Note: You may not withdraw from a class if doing so would leave you with fewer than 12 credits.

 

To withdraw from a class, use this online form , following these steps:


1. Consult with your adviser.

2. Get an email from your adviser confirming they approve you to withdraw from this specific class.

3. Download that email as a PDF or save a screenshot of it.

4. Complete and submit the online W form on or before the W deadline, uploading your adviser’s confirmation email when prompted to do so.

5. You will receive an email confirmation once your W request is processed, ordinarily within two business days. 

6. Within a week or so, you will see a W next to the class on your transcript.

Architecture Program Planning Meeting

Happy Thursday!

The Architecture Program is having a planning meeting on April 1st (no joke...)! See the flyer below for details!

You should go!!

Sophia

English and Film Studies Program Planning Meetings

Happy Friday, First-Years!

See the posters below about the English (3/23) and Film Studies (4/8) Program Meetings!

Have a great weekend!

Sophia

Undergraduate Statistics Open-House!

Please come to our undergraduate statistics open-house tomorrow, Friday the 20th, from noon to 3:00 p.m. in 309 Uris..  It is an opportunity to hear about the majors and minors and joint-majors in Statistics.  (The catering should be pretty good, too.)

Also, the Department is engaged in modernizing our undergraduate offerings in Statistics and would be very glad to hear your thoughts about your interests for content in data science, artificial intelligence, and classical statistics, how best to serve the need for training in statistical computation in this new AI world, and how to provide programming tailored to cohorts who want to understand the mathematics and theory behind the methods, and cohorts who care exclusively about developing skills and critical thinking for the use of methods.

PS: Please send email to dr105@columbia if you would like to be added to the Statistics Department’s list-serve for notices about research and funding and extracurricular opportunities in Statistics.

2026-27 Toddler Center Seminar Information Session

Hi, First-Years!

Below is a flyer for an Info Session about working in the Toddler Center! (Do note you must take Developmental Psychology first!!) 

This is the Zoom link for the session on March 3rd at 4:15pm.

This is the Toddler Center Website.

Bye!

Sophia

Peer Mentoring Program Hiring for 2026-27!

Hello First-Years!

Access Barnard would like to share that their Peer Mentoring Program is now hiring new mentors for the 2026-27 academic year! Applications are due on Friday, March 6th!

Please see the flyer below for more information! You can find the link to the application here!

Apply to join the BSAR team!

Hello First-Years!

The Office of Admissions is looking for enthusiastic students for the Fall 2026 Barnard Student Admissions Representative (BSAR) team! 

More than just tour guides, Barnard Student Admissions Representatives (BSARs) serve as storytellers, ambassadors, and vital resources for the future Barnard students and their families. BSARs share their experiences through campus tours, virtual panels, and interactions via email and phone calls. BSARs gain valuable public speaking experience and organization skills, all while learning more about college admissions. BSARs work closely with the professional Barnard Admissions staff and can serve on BSAR committees assisting with projects like event planning, social media content creation, college access initiatives, alumnae engagement, and more. The BSAR role offers a dynamic opportunity to grow professional skills while sharing enthusiasm for Barnard with others. 

If you are interested in joining the BSAR team, you can complete this application form and apply with your resume on Workday by Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59PM EST.

All transfer students (both Fall and Spring transfers) are welcome to apply!

German Program Planning meeting on February 27th!

Hello First-Years!

The German Department will be holding a virtual open house on Friday, February 27th from 3-4PM for all students interested in a major/minor or in new German courses being offered next semester if you are interested! 

The meeting will be held over Zoom, which you can join through this link here! You may also find the Zoom meeting information down below!

------

The German Department is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: GERMAN OPEN HOUSE

Time: Feb 27, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/99998697289?pwd=oAgayV3CbvSbFKXcpiBHEXLD0Dj1rO.1

Meeting ID: 999 9869 7289

Passcode: 034573