"Uncover" for Summer 2022 Barnard P/D/F grades = available Sept 26 - Oct 26

If you elected the p/d/f option for a Barnard summer 2022 class, you may uncover that grade if you like.

The Uncover option for Barnard Summer 2022 classes will be available beginning Sept 26, until the October 26 deadline.

How?

Go to portal.barnard.edu --> Academics --> Taking Classes --> Change P/D/F Status

You will be able to uncover grades of P from Summer 2022 courses as of Monday, September 26

You will also be able to elect the p/d/f option for fall 2022 classes beginning Sept 26.

P/D/F available for Fall 2022 courses beginning Sept 26. Deadline is Nov. 17

 

If you are considering electing the p/d/f option for a fall 2022 course, you may do so beginning September 26, 2022.  The last day to elect the p/d/f option is November 17, 2022. (this is also the W deadline)

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

Also, reminder that previous years' special p/d/f rules are no longer in effect - courses taken p/d/f this year are subject to the usual rules.  Read all about p/d/f on the Registrar's website:

Rules:

Current students may elect P/D/F grading in a maximum of 23 points (22 points for students entering as transfers).  Courses that are only available with P/F grading are not counted. Courses where p/d/f grading is chosen but the grade is later uncovered will still count towards the credit limit.

The instructor is not informed when a student elects the Pass/D/Fail 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 retroactively.

To elect the pd/f/ option:

-Go to portal.barnard.edu.  (Use a browser other than Safari).

- Under the Academics tab, click on "Planning your courses", and then "Request P/D/F for a course".

- Log in

-Click on Pass/D/Fail.  

-Click “P/D/F” in the Select column for each course you want to take p/d/f.  Be sure to submit a request for each part of a course (e.g. lecture and lab). 

-Click submit.

 

After 3 business days, you can return to the same portal page to check the status of your request.

-If your request is still pending, you will see your request but no action.

-If your request has been approved, you will see “Approved” in the PDF Status column 

-You will also see “Grading: Pass/Fail” on the course section in Student Planning.

 

If you requested P/D/F for a course in your major department

-you will see "Dept Chair approval reqd" in the PDF Status column.

-you will also receive email instructing you to obtain department chair approval by a certain deadline

-If the request is approved by the Chair, you will see a status of “Approved.”  If not, it will say “Denied.”

 

To undo/ revoke your p/d/f election (must be done prior to the p/d/f deadline):

-click on “Revoke” in the Select column.

-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.

Are you interested in spending a semester at Spelman College?

 Come join our info session Friday, Sept 30th to learn more!

Can't add something you totally have permission to join because it's the week after registration?

 

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) of a Late Course

FAQ: The registration deadline has passed but I still need adviser approval or approval for over 19 credits; what do I do?

Registered for over 19 credits?
If you are registered for more than 19 credits and have not received adviser approval, it is especially urgent that you contact your adviser to discuss  (a) getting their permission to drop a class using the online drop process (b)  getting their approval to remain in 19 credits.  If you remain in over 19 credits without approval, the registrar will automatically drop you from your most recently-added course(s).  

Haven't met with your adviser for schedule approval?
As a reminder, all students were supposed to meet with their adviser sometime during the first two weeks of classes to get the adviser's sign-off on your final schedule.  If you haven't yet done that, it's not too late, but you should contact your adviser for a meeting ASAP. 

How to drop a class by the October 11 deadline

 

Friday, 9/16/2022 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the October 11 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before Nov 17)

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 accept an email request from you in place of a meeting.  

 

2. Your adviser will submit an online request via WebAdvisor to enable you to drop online via Student Planning.

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 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.

Center for Engaged Pedagogy Open House is Friday 9/16

 Friday 9/16, 2-4 PM Milstein 126

On Friday, September 16th, the Center for Engaged Pedagogy welcomes students, faculty, and staff from across the College for our open house. It will be an opportune time and space for all to meet the staff, learn about the work we are doing, explore the new decor, and discover ways to get involved in changing the culture of pedagogy at Barnard. The CEP is located at 126 Milstein.

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

 

Doing that degree-audit arithmetic and need one or two more credits?

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. 

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

Know of something that's not on here? Email SeniorClassDean@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.

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 preregister for PE.


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. 

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!

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

• Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers
  
• Voice Lessons or 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 

b. 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.


c. 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:

Frontiers of Astrophysics

Chemical Engineering for Humanity

Science and Scientists (Psychology)

 d. If you're interested in poetry and its relationship to current events:

ENGL BC3098 The English Conference: The Poetry of Breaking News

 

e. If you're interested in activism and the intersection between theory and practice:

Real Talk / Real Time with Barnard Professor Yvette Christianse

f. 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:
*check dates 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:

Junior FAQ: Can I take a Dance Technique class for credit?

Q: I've already completed my PE requirement, and I'm not a Dance major. Can I take Dance Technique classes for credit?

Short answer: YES

 

Longer Answer:

Barnard Dance Technique Class Policy:  

For non-Dance majors:

One-credit dance technique courses taken by non-dance majors for credit over and above the physical education requirement are included in the maximum of 18 points of studio, performing art, or professional school courses which may be credited toward the degree; a maximum of twelve courses in dance technique can be credited. 

 

For Dance majors:

Dance majors have no dance credit limit, but cannot receive credit for a lower level after a higher or for the same level more than twice. 

 

I'm in! How do I get credit?

The default value for dance technique courses is 0; students may receive academic credit for a dance technique class only if they have completed or are concurrently completing the Physical Education requirement, and only upon filling out the Request Credit for a Dance Technique Class in Slate.  Ballet I and Modern I receive a P/F grade and have no prerequisite.  Global and Somatic Forms courses require a placement audition at the first class meeting or permission of the instructor and are grade bearing courses.

 

I took a dance class in a past semester and I just realized it's showing as zero credits on my transcript?!

That's okay! You can fill out the Request Credit for a Dance Technique Class in Slate for a past class too!

Juniors! Come get your class of 2024 RED T shirts TOMORROW (9/8/2022)! (Also, no office hour this Thursday)

Please come by the Diana Center Oval this Thursday (Sept 8) from 3:00pm to 5:00pm to collect your red Class of 2024 T Shirts, which you should plan to wear at Convocation next week.  I'll be there and very excited to see you.  Note that this means I have to cancel my usual Thursday office hour. 

Check out this month's programing from the Center for Engaged Pedagogy!

 

Goal Setting and Visioning | September 16, 1-2pm

Join the CEP for a workshop on visualizing goals for the Fall semester on Friday, Sept. 16. Here, we will set meaningful intentions and goals together and talk through strategies to work toward them. We will also create vision boards and experiment with different visualization exercises. This workshop will take place in-person in Milstein 126 (The Center for Engaged Pedagogy). RSVP here.

The Joy and Science of Note-taking | September 19, 4-5:15pm

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 and the Barnard Zine Library for a note-taking workshop Monday, Sept. 19 from 4-5:15pm.  You'll leave with note-taking templates and supplies! This workshop will take place in-person in Milstein 113. RSVP here.

Get Involved: Student Advisory Committee

Interested in building the culture of teaching and learning at Barnard? Join the CEP Student Advisory Committee! Members of the SAC have been involved in numerous projects and initiatives, including organizing the annual Barnard Bold Conference. Members receive a small stipend each semester for their work and participation. If you are interested, please fill out this form by 9/23. If you have any questions, email atseng@barnard.edu.

Comp Sci Information

  If you are taking an introductory Computer Science class this semester, including any of COMS BC1016, COMS W1001, COMS W1002, COMS W1004, ENGI E1006, COMS W3107, then you are encouraged to also consider applying to participate in Columbia’s Emerging Scholars Program COMS W1404 (ESP).  ESP is a once-a-week one-credit class graded on a pass/fail basis that gives first and second-year students a unique opportunity to learn about the field of computer science and enrich their experience in introductory-level CS courses. The focus of ESP is group problem solving.  In each session, a peer leader presents a set of problems from a specific field in CS, and students work as a group to come up with algorithmic solutions and analyses of the problems. In addition, students  discuss the real-world applications and potential social consequences and ethical ramifications of each field. ESP’s self-contained workshops demonstrate the collaborative nature of computer science and how it is focused more on problem solving than on programming.  It’s a great way to connect with a community of other CS-interested students while learning more about the broad applicability of computer science.  New this semester, there will be an opportunity to choose a Barnard-only (or mostly Barnard) section (assuming sufficient demand).  More information and application instructions are at https://www.cs.columbia.edu/esp; application deadline is Monday, September 12.

DEADLINE: Uncover a grade of P from Spring 2022 by September 16, 2022

If you elected the p/d/f option for a spring 2022 class, you may now uncover that grade if you like, as long as you do the following by the Sept 16 deadline:

Go to portal.barnard.edu 

Pro Tip: Use Chrome -- this may not work in Safari or Firefox

Click on the Academics tab from the menus across the top

Click on Taking Classes 

Click on Change P/D/F Status

 

This will take you to a page that may ask you to log in again (this is normal -- it is not a phishing attempt!), where you can then go to the same page where you initially elected the p/d/f option, see the grade you would have earned, and decide if you want to leave it p/d/f or "uncover" it so the grade will appear on your transcript and be factored in your GPA. 

Note that any uncovered credits will still count toward the total number of p/d/f credits you may elect. 

Junior FAQ: Can I take two classes that overlap?

Short answer: NO

Even if both classes may be recorded, you my not take two classes that overlap, as the expectation is that students will attend classes in-person and synchronously, as there is no substitute for the learning experience of interacting with faculty and fellow students in person and in real time.

Longer answer: Very occasionally, in very specific circumstances, and by petition only

Okay; how do I petition?

Contact your class dean for information about how to petition the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing to take overlapping classes. Once the semester begins, petitions submitted by Tuesday will be considered at the following Thursday's CPAS meeting.

How likely is it that my petition will be approved?

Such petitions are only rarely approved. Petitions with a greater chance of success will include:

• Both classes are required (major or general education req)
• Both can only be taken this semester due to compelling reason like impending graduation
  
• Both faculty members are aware of the conflict and support the petition
• Course overlap is minimal, e.g. 10-15 minutes once a week.

What should I do while I'm waiting to know if my petition is approved?

• Add a "Plan B" course to keep your options open
• If you're currently registered for both conflicting classes, stay in them. If your petition is not approved, you will ultimately need to drop one. If you don't drop one, the registrar will drop whichever was most recently added.
  
• If you're not registered for both classes, the system will not let you register for conflicting courses, though you may plan or waitlist for a course that conflicts with a registered course. We recommend that you strategically register for whichever course is more important and//or more likely to fill up if you wait.