Deadline to Uncover a P grade from Fall 2024 is FRIDAY, JANUARY 31! Here is how to do it.

Log on to SSOL, click on “P/D/F grading,” then “PDF Option Change Request,” then “Pass/D/Fail Uncover." 

*Starting Monday, February 3, you will have the option to change your grading option in one class this semester to Pass/D/Fail.

Is a 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): 

The Peter Juviler and Dennis Dalton Human Rights Fellowship Fund (Deadline: March 14, 2025)

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 14, 2025. 

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: 

    a. Where do you intend to go? 
    b. What will you do there and how long will you need to stay? 
    c. Have you made contact with any on-site individuals or institutions whose cooperation will be critical to your research? If yes, provide details. 
    d. 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 https://barnard.edu/provost/research/regulatory-agencies, 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 at our April 2025 meeting. 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. 

Proposals should be submitted at the following site: https://slate.barnard.edu/register/hrf 

Please direct any questions to Professor J.C. Salyer (jsalyer@barnard.edu), Director of the Human Rights Program, or to Dean Erica Siegel (esiegel@barnard.edu). 

Tow Summer Research Fellowship (Application Deadline: March 14, 2025 )

The Tow Summer Research Fellowship supports senior thesis-related summer research projects that require travel, either domestic or international. To apply for funding, you must submit a proposal, budget, and letter of recommendation from a Barnard or Columbia faculty member by Friday, March 14, 2025. Below are guidelines for the application: 

1.  Brief Abstract  (75 -100 words): Provide an overview  of your thesis topic. 

2.  Detailed Proposal  (maximum three pages, double-spaced,  one-inch margins): Provide details about the issues you intend to investigate. You are expected to address the following points: 

    a. Where do you intend to go? 

    b. What will you do there and how long do you plan to stay there? 

    c. Have you made contact with any on-site individuals or institutions whose cooperation will be critical to your research? If yes, provide details. 

    d. Do you foresee any difficulties (e.g. linguistic, political, medical) and, if so, what precautions do you intend to take? 

    e. How has your research grown out of your academic pursuits? 

    f. How is your proposed work necessary to your thesis? 

    g. Can you conduct your research with partial funding from this fellowship? What is the minimum amount that will allow you to move forward with your research? 

3.  Letter  of  Recommendation  :  The  faculty  letter  of  support  should  be  written  by  a  person  familiar  with your  project—the  person  who  will  be  supervising  your  thesis,  for  example—and  should  address  both the importance of the research and your qualifications for carrying it out. 

4.  Proposed Budget  : Provide prioritized details regarding  expenses including transportation, daily living costs such as lodging, and other fees or costs associated with your project. Past grants have generally been in the $1000-$4000 range. A chart form is best and should be included as one of the maximum three pages. 

If your project involves human subjects, please go to https://barnard.edu/provost/research/regulatory-agencies,  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 at our April 2025 meeting. 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. 

Proposals should be submitted at the following site:  https://slate.barnard.edu/register/tow 

Please direct any questions to Dean Erica Siegel (esiegel@barnard.edu). 

Important Information about the Spring Semester and Shopping Period (email of 1/16 from Dean Tedder)

 

Dear Students,   We hope you had a restful holiday break. Please read the important information below, which includes details about the Spring Semester and Shopping Period.   Registering for classes   Registration will be open in Student Planning from now through Friday, January 31.  (Registration will be closed on weekends and on Monday, January 20). Registration start times can be viewed in Student Planning or in Slate (on the right side of the Home tab).   If you are searching for a class to add to your schedule, 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. It also has the option to “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results. See screenshots here.   •    TIP: Using the Course Search in Vergil is also a great way to become familiar with the Vergil user interface. Vergil will become the registration system for both Barnard and Columbia students (replacing Student Planning and SSOL). We expect that the new system will be launched later this spring (in time for fall registration). We will share more details as we get closer.   You can continue to make changes to your class schedule in Student Planning through 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 31, which is the final registration deadline.   By that date, be sure that you have:   •    Registered for all classes you intend to take (including any zero-credit discussion section or lab classes). Note that students cannot remain registered for two classes that overlap in time, and you must resolve any such conflicts by the registration deadline. •    Requested adviser approval of your final schedule. If you have not yet contacted your adviser for a meeting, please do so immediately.  •    Received special permission from your adviser if you are planning to take more than 19 credits this semester. To request this permission from your adviser, use this Slate form beginning Tuesday, January 21.   If you decide to drop a class after the registration deadline has passed, you will need to request your adviser’s permission using the Drop Request form in Slate. Please note that students must remain enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester, except in very specific circumstances. The final deadline to drop a class (so that it no longer displays on your transcript) is Tuesday, February 25.   Attending class   •    Classes begin on Tuesday, January 21.    •    You should plan to attend every class for which you are officially registered, including during the shopping period. Attendance at the first class is advised in order to secure your spot in the class because it indicates to the faculty member that you plan to remain enrolled.   •    If you are “shopping” a class (for which you have not yet been able to register), you should make every effort to attend it as well. Classroom space may constrain your ability to attend a class for which you are not registered. Please be in touch with the course instructor if that is the case.   Classroom locations and navigating campus   •    Classroom assignments are visible in the Columbia Directory of Classes or the Vergil Course Search. Be sure to verify the location before the first class session for each of your classes, since rooms are subject to change at the start of the semester. •    Some Barnard classes are being held in rooms on the Teachers College (TC) campus again this semester. The building names are Zankel Hall, Macy Hall, and Horace Mann. If you have a class scheduled in those rooms, please note the following details: •    The main entrance to the TC campus is at Zankel Hall on 120th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. Please see the map here. •    Use your Barnard ID card to tap the card access reader in order to enter the campus. •    While on the TC campus, you can use Eduroam for Wifi. Click on this link for login instructions. •    Due to the renovation of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center, Barnard science departments and labs have moved to new locations on the Barnard, Teachers College, or Columbia campuses. Lab class locations can be found in the Directory of Classes or the Vergil Course Search Columbia Directory of Classes or the Vergil Course Search. The map here shows building locations on each campus. •    We encourage you to consult these revised campus maps if you need help navigating Barnard’s campus during construction.   Shopping Period    As always, you have an opportunity at the beginning of each semester to visit classes for which you are not registered, so that you can learn more about the class content and format. This may help you decide if you would like to enroll.    To aid in your decision-making, the Courseworks/Canvas sites for some Barnard classes will be open for all students to access syllabi and course materials for class shopping purposes.   •    Find the class either in the Vergil Course Search or in the Directory of Classes (from the Directory, click on the “View in Vergil” link) •    In Vergil, click on the Course Title  •    Click on the “View in CourseWorks” tab - this will take you to the class’ CourseWorks site. (If you don’t see the “View in Courseworks link” initially, click the down arrow next to the section number to display more details.)   If you are interested in shopping a Barnard class that does not have materials visible in Courseworks, the instructor may be willing to share the syllabus with you.   If you decide to enroll, be sure to officially add the class in Student Planning before the January 31 deadline.  If you have any questions, email registrar@barnard.edu.    Enrollment Confirmation Process   Please note that final enrollment confirmation for new and continuing students will entail finalizing both your registration for a full-time schedule of classes (or approval for a reduced courseload) and payment of the term bill (for students on payment plans, be up to date on scheduled payments). Both steps must be completed by the Friday, January 31 semester registration/add deadline.   Students who have not completed both of these steps by the deadline will be deregistered for courses and, therefore, considered not enrolled for the semester. Students will then automatically be placed on a personal leave of absence.   Holds will prevent add/drop   If you have a registration hold (e.g. a hold placed by the Bursar, Dean’s Office, Health Services), you will need to clear the hold before you can add/drop courses.   Students who do not have a designated emergency and/or missing person contact person on file with the College will have a registration hold. If you received an email asking you to provide this information using this Slate form, or if you are unsure if you have provided this information, please be sure you have done that prior to the start of the semester.   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.    Students who elected the P/D/F grading option for a Fall 2024 class can uncover a P grade through Friday, January 31 in SSOL. In SSOL, Click on “P/D/F grading,” then “PDF Option Change Request,” then “Pass/D/Fail Uncover.”   If you would like to elect P/D/F grading for a Spring 2025 class, that option will become available on February 3, and you will do this in SSOL. As a reminder, Barnard students are able to elect P/D/F grading for one class per term. The class cannot be used towards a major or minor requirement, but it may be used to fulfill a general education requirement. Students who are 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). Further details are available on the Registrar’s webpage.   Seniors graduating at the end of this semester   If you are planning to graduate at the end of this semester, congratulations! Here are a few suggestions to make sure that your plans stay on track:   •    Submit the official application for graduation. The deadline is Friday, January 24.  You can find the application either in Student Planning or at portal.barnard.edu, in the Graduation tab. •    Be sure that you have registered for enough credits this semester to be eligible to graduate. If you entered Barnard as a first-year student, you will need 122 credits. If you entered Barnard as a transfer student, you will need 121 credits. •    Review your online degree audit to be sure that all general education requirements are marked as complete or in progress. Check in with your major adviser (if you haven’t already) to be sure your major requirements will also be complete. •    If you are interested in enrolling in fewer than 12 credits during your final semester, you can submit that request in Slate. •    If you are planning to declare a minor, submit the request in Slate as soon as you have registered for all required classes (and no later than March 1). •    The P/D/F grading option will become available for spring classes at the beginning of February. If you decide to P/D/F a class, please keep in mind that, as a final semester senior, you cannot uncover the P grade later.   Deferred Exams from fall classes   If you had an extenuating circumstance requiring you to defer any of your final exams in December, deferred exams will be given on Friday, January 24 and Monday, January 27. Be sure to reference the Registrar’s Office website and your Barnard email account for details. If you are eligible to take exams with CARDS, please be in touch with cards@barnard.edu regarding plans for your deferred exam.   Barnard Portal   Sign in at portal.barnard.edu for important College updates, convenient links to tools like Student Planning and Slate for Students, and access to other campus and academic resources.   Important Dates & Deadlines   Please be sure to reference the academic calendar to remain aware of the different academic deadlines, such as dropping, withdrawing and electing P/D/F for your classes.    Best wishes for a good start to the semester,   Jennifer Simmons Registrar   Holly Tedder Dean for Academic Planning & Class Advising

Junior FAQ: Can I take more than 19 credits? How/when can I get permission?

 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 (Jan 21-31for spring 2025), using this online form. 

NOTE: Approval after the registration deadline is by petition only.

*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

Do you still need to complete the PE Requirement?

 

Students who need to complete the PE Requirement:  Register for PE (or Dance). (PE registration is open only to students who have not fulfilled the requirement).  The PE Department offers Body Sculpt, Yoga, Pilates Mat, Tai Chi, Strength Training, and Health Coaching.  Need more info?  Contact physed@barnard.edu

Keep track of Spring 2025 deadlines by downloading the academic calendar

Worrying about keeping track registration dates, add/drop deadlines, p/d/f and W deadlines, and the like?

The Registrar has you covered with its Google Calendar version of the Academic Calendar -- you can add this to your gBear calendar with just one click!  Registration and add/drop periods for fall are already added in, so this will help you ASAP

I'm in!  How can I add the Barnard Academic Calendar to my gBear Calendar?

1.  Go to https://barnard.edu/academic-calendar (or, honestly, just google-search "Barnard Academic Calendar" -- that's how I find it every time...)

2.  Click on View Barnard's academic calendar on Google Calendar (note: you must be logged into gBear to access this!). 

3.  In the google calendar that opens, go to the bottom right-hand corner and click on the blue square with the white plus sign (you'll know you're in the right place because when you hover your mouse there, text saying "Add to Google Calendar" will pop up).

4. Once you've added the calendar, set up notifications. Some recommended settings:

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

 

Deferred exams for Fall 2024 classes

Deferred exams from Fall 2024 will be held on Friday, January 24th & Monday, January 27, 2025.  The Registrar will be in touch with you to confirm the location & room details regarding your exam details the week before exams.

Friday, January 24 9:00AM – 12:00PM - James Room (Barnard Hall)

Friday, January 24 1:00PM – 4:00PM - James Room (Barnard Hall)

Monday, January 27 9:00AM – 12:00PM - Event Oval in the Diana Center 

Monday, January 27 :00PM – 4:00 PM - Event Oval in the Diana Center 

For most in-person deferred exams, the registrar 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. 

Fall 2024 deferred exams must be completed by Monday, January 27, 2025.

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.

Need an extra credit or two this spring? 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. Students may earn no more than 2 PE credits total.

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. The only way to attempt to register for elective PE is to attend in person once PE classes begin and see if space is available then.

Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space


2. Take a dance class
Dance classes -- now 2 credits! -- 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.

Pro Tip:  Make sure you are not attempting to exceed the Studio Credit maximum.

 
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 Performance Program 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:
If offered:

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 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:

Introduction to Research Skills in Astrophysics - ASTR2910UN

TOPICS IN BIOLOGY - BIOL3995UN

Introduction to Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology - EEEB1005UN

WHAT'S NEW IN EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CLIMATE SCIENCE?- EESC1006UN

PERSPECTIVES IN MATHEMATICS - MATH2001BC

d. Workshops in some Social Science and Humanities fields:

Religion Salon: New DirectionsRELI3996BC

ARTEMIS RISING SHORT COURSE IN FILM PRODUCTION - FILM3091BC

Russian Through Theater - RUSS3107UN

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.

 Pro Tip:  Make sure you are not attempting to exceed the Studio Credit maximum.

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: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
*check the course description 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 Vergil for SIPA courses between 1 and 2 credits, 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. Review the course description to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development (Barnard will not give academic credit for nonacademic coursework)
   
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. Get this approval in writing as well
   
4. Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form.

Example:

4. Search Vergil for courses of 1 or 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 for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.