DEADLINE REMINDER: Registration, Adviser Approval, Enrollment Confirmation deadline FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13

 Welcome back!

Don't forget:

1.  Your Fall 2024 Course Plan in Student Planning must show, in green (i.e. fully registered), all courses that you are taking this semester, including any PE, Dance technique, Varsity sport, or rehearsal/performance course for which you will earn credit this semester. 

2.  Your adviser must approve your course schedule by clicking "Review Complete" in Student Planning.  Ideally, they will do this during an advising meeting with you.  If there are extenuating circumstances making it impossible for you and your adviser to meet until next week, your adviser may click Review Complete upon confirming an appointment day/time with you for next week.  Need advice/approval and can't reach your adviser?  Visit us in the Deans' office!

Don't forget to drop any classes or waitlists that you no longer need.

If you are unable to add a course that you know that you're in, or if you are unable to drop a course or leave a waitlist for something you're not taking, please visit or contact the Registrar's office, registrar@barnard.edu).

It is possible that a credit for a P.E. course, Dance technique course, or Varsity sport may appear after the registration deadline (if the course is eligible for credit for the P.E. requirement). If this does not happen automatically, you may need to fill out a form.

Friday, Sept 13 is the last day you may officially add a course to your schedule. If you need to add a course to your schedule after that date, you will need to petition the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing for permission to do so (contact your class dean if you need info about this), and a late fee may be charged.

You may still drop courses until the Drop Deadline (see Academic Calendar for drop deadlines.  To drop a course after Sept 13, you will need to meet with your adviser for approval, so your adviser can submit their approval of your drop request no later that 4:30 p.m. on the drop deadline. Find this and all other deadlines on the Academic Calendar and consider adding the Academic Calendar to your gBear calendar.

 

 

Reminder that all students must confirm enrollment by (1) registering for classes and (2) paying your bill by the Sept 13 deadline. See this blog post for how to tell what kind of hold you may have, and contact the Bursar if you need to discuss your bill.

**Note about Courseworks/Canvas**
Until the registration deadline, your CourseworksCanvas page may not look exactly like your Student Planning page because it takes some time for an added class on myBarnard to appear on Courseworks, and it takes some extra time for a dropped class to disappear. Courseworks will catch up eventually. The most important thing is to make sure that your enrollments are accurate on your Student Planning schedule. 

Final Incomplete DEADLINE for Spring 2024 classes: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024

If you took an Incomplete in any of your Spring 2024 classes, be sure to turn in all remaining written work to both the instructor and registrar@barnard.edu (so that it can be time-stamped as on time) no later than Tuesday, September, 3, 2024.  

Once the instructor submits the new final grade, it will completely replace the temporarly placeholder "I" grade, and your transcript will show no evidence of the former incomplete.

In between you submitting the work and the instructor entering the updated grade, you may see your grade temporarily changed to "WS" -- do not panic if you see this! It stands for "Work Submitted" and means you have done everything correctly and by the appropriate deadline.

If work is not submitted by the deadline, the instructor will be directed to enter the contingency grade, i.e. a final grade factoring in a zero for any missing work. The contingency grade will be preceded by an asterisk on the transcript (e.g. *B, *C-, *F). 

If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances and would like to discuss the possibility of petitioning to extend an incomplete, please contact your class dean.

When/where/how to take your approved deferred exam from spring 2024

 

Deferred exams for Spring 2024 classes

Deferred exams from Spring 2024 will be held on Friday, September 6th & Monday, September 9th, 2024.  The Barnard Registrar will be in touch with you to confirm the location & room details regarding your exam details the week before exams.

Friday, September 6th 9:00AM – 12:00PM - Room TBD

Friday, September 6th 1:00PM – 4:00PM - Room TBD

Monday, September 9th 9:00AM – 12:00PM - Room TBD

Monday, September 9th1:00PM – 4:00 PM - Room TBD

For most in-person deferred exams, we will follow a self-scheduled exam model. You will be contacted directly if your exam has a specific day and time. Otherwise, this model, followed by a number of peer institutions, allows students to select when to take their exams from among a number of blocked exam time periods. 

Spring 2024 deferred exams must be completed by Monday, September 9th, 2024.

For more information regarding Spring 2024 deferred exams, including location information, please check this page once classes begin.

Pro Tips:

• If you have an unavoidable conflict between a deferred exam and a current class, prioritize the exam and email your instructor, copying your class dean, to say you were advised to do this and ask how to catch up on missed content
• If you have a choice, plan to take your deferred exam at the earliest possible opportunity -- that will give you a Plan B option if anything goes awry.

How to search Vergil for classes with open seats and other relevant criteria

Columbia has launched an updated Course Search in Vergil, which Barnard students can also use. 

The tool has similar search criteria as Student Planning, including the ability to look for classes that satisfy Barnard General Education (Foundations) requirements, classes with a particular number of credits, etc. 

NOTE ON FOUNDATIONS REQS: for Barnard requirements, be sure to cross reference anything found here with the Slate listing of courses approved for Foundations requirements.

It also has the option to “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results. 

You can also filter by term, number of credits, Foundations designation (again confirm this with the Barnard page!), course number, and more!

Junior FAQ: Is it possible to take more than 19 credits?

 Q: I heard it's possible for students to get permission from their adviser to take more than 19 credits. Is that true, and if so, how/when can I get permission?

A: Yes, in rare cases, and only once the semester has begun. You may request adviser permission* for more than 19 credits only during the final registration period (Sept 3-13 for fall 2024), using this online form.

*Please note that these requests will only be granted for urgent reasons, such as completion of a major, a minor, or for graduation requirements.

 

Q: What if I get in off a waitlist that puts me over the limit?

A: If you are removed from a waitlist and temporarily find yourself in more than 19 credits, you will need to drop the "extra" class or receive approval to exceed the limit 

Warning: if you neither request permission nor drop below 19 credits, the registrar will drop you from the most recently added class.

DEADLINE: change p/d/f election from spring 2024 by Sept 13, 9pm

As a reminder, per last semester's special p/d/f policy, you can make P/D/F changes to your spring 2024 course grades until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13. Please note that these extended deadlines apply only to spring 2024 P/D/F elections. (You will not be able to modify your P/D/F elections for previous terms.)   All changes to your P/D/F elections can be made in SSOL. This includes: • Electing the P/D/F option for a class (either before or after the grade is posted) using the P/D/F selection tool in SSOL.   • If your instructor assigned a grade of C- or better, you will essentially be “covering” that grade with a grade of P on your transcript. Reminder that a C- is the minimum grade for a P; grades of D or F are unchanged by P/D/F status. • If a class does not have the P/D/F option in SSOL, you are still allowed to take it P/D/F (as long as it’s not a senior capstone course or a course required for teaching certification); just use this form to elect the P/D/F option.   • Removing / revoking the P/D/F option for a class (i.e. changing a previously elected p/d/f to normal letter grading) • If a grade has not yet been assigned, you will do this in the P/D/F selection tool in SSOL.  • If a grade has been assigned, you will do this by “Uncovering” the grade in SSOL. You can see the letter grade that you received by going to the P/D/F Grading tab in SSOL. • Special note if you wish to uncover a grade of P and then use your P/D/F option for a different class: Be sure to start this process at least one day before the deadline: You will need to “uncover” the grade one day, and then go back to SSOL the following day to elect P/D/F in the other class.    After 24 hours have passed, we highly recommend that you verify on your Barnard unofficial transcript in Student Planning (selfservice.barnard.edu) that your spring 2024 grades appear as you intended.     If you have any questions or notice any discrepancies, please contact the Registrar’s Office immediately at registrar@barnard.edu. This is especially time-sensitive for graduating seniors whose transcripts must be finalized in order for degrees to be officially awarded.   If you need assistance deciding how to use your P/D/F options, please do not hesitate to be in touch with your adviser or class dean.

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

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. While it is too late to add many of these, several of the short courses at the School of International and Public Affairs or in Computer Science may not have started yet.

**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. If you have already satisfied this requirement, you can try attending the first meetings of some sections, but you should not count on this working.

2. Take a dance class

Barnard dance technique classes are now TWO CREDITS. They 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!

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

Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers -- see the Barnard Music Department website for info on auditions, voice lessons, and fees
Voice Lessons or Jazz or Classical 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 

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.


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:

Chemical Engineering for Humanity

Frontiers of Astrophysics 

Science and Scientists 

Undergraduate Seminar in Statistics

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:
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA) -- some meet the first half of the semester, some the second half, and some for just a few long and intensive sessions.

Search The SIPA Catalogue or Vergil for 1-2-credit SIPA classes for  courses and *check the course dates to see when the course starts & ends*. You can't just register online for these.  Here is the procedure:

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) 

Double-check the course description to make sure your preferred class has not already met too much for you to be able to reasonably join it. 

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). 

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

Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form (if the course has not yet started) or the petition to late-add (if the course has very recently started and you have instructor permission).

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.

 

Hold preventing you from adding/dropping courses? Want to know when ALL of your upcoming registration times are? Here's how to find out and address this

Hold preventing you from adding/dropping courses? Want to know when ALL of your upcoming registration times are? Here's how to find out and address this

If you logged into Student Planning and got a red pop-up telling you a hold is preventing you from adding/dropping,

you should contact the office that has placed the hold to address it ASAP (even if you don't need to register/add/drop right now, this is still a problem that needs to be resolved before it causes you any future issues!).

You can find out where any holds are coming from via the Barnard Portal, which will take you to the relevant Slate page as follows:

1. Log into the portal, 

2. Hover your mouse over Academics

 

3. Then hover over Planning Your Courses

 

4. Then click Registration Appointment & Holds.  

 

 

5. This will take you to a Slate page which may ask you to log in with your Columbia UNI before opening. Here you will see any holds as well as a link to a list of all upcoming registration times (more comprehensive than what you see in Student Planning, which just shows your next time, and shows nothing if you log in during a reg time): 

How to view your position on waitlists

 

To view your position on a waitlist for a course, you’ll need to log into SSOL (Student Services Online) using your Columbia UNI and password.

Once you log into SSOL, click on the “Registration” link on the home screen under the Academic Records section of the Your Data tab.

From there, click the “Continue with Fall 2024 Registration” button on the following screen.

You will be taken to a screen with both classes you are currently registered for and classes you are on the waitlist for. On SSOL, classes under the “Fall 2024 classes” refer to classes you are registered for and classes under the “Fall 2024 Wish List” refer to classes you’re on the waitlist for.

When you’re on the waitlist for a class, SSOL will tell you either your position on the waitlist or it will say “Pending Approval.”

If a class gives you your position on the waitlist, this indicates that the waitlist is automatic. This means that the waitlist for the class is managed by the online registration services. If a person drops the class, the student who is in position 1 on the waitlist will automatically be added to the class.

If a course says “Pending Approval” under the waitlist, this means that the professor for the course is self-managing the waiting list. Rather than students automatically getting into the class from the waitlist, the professor is individually reviewing students for admittance to the class.