Academic Coaching: Finals Prep Sessions

 The end of the semester is right around the corner, 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 snacks! If you are feeling stressed for finals, need help organizing your study plan, or want to learn some new study strategies, sign up for a time that works for you using this RSVP form. Drop-in hours will be December 1st - 5th at various times, and located in the C.E.P. (Milstein 126)

We hope to see you there!

Sponsored by the Deans’ Office for Advising and Support

Apply to be a speaker at Barnard's TEDx event by November 18th!

The Speaking Program is looking for students who are passionate about a topic that calls the Barnard community to action and who are interested in speaking at the event.

If you are interested in being a speaker for our upcoming Barnard TEDx event, you can fill out the application by Tuesday, November 18th located in the QR code on the flyer attached!

Announcement: New booking link to schedule appointments with Dean Laurita!

We wanted to share a very important announcement with you all! Our office has been slowly transitioning to using a new platform for students to schedule appointments to meet with their class deans as we have been using youcanbookme as our main online scheduler for a long time.

Starting today, November 12th, we are moving over to Slate as our new platform for students to schedule appointments to meet with their class deans and will no longer be using youcanbookme.

Going forward, please use Dean Laurita's Slate booking link to schedule an appointment to meet with her. If you need help in finding another time to schedule an appointment or need to meet urgently, feel free to contact our office at doas@barnard.edu or call 212-854-2024 for assistance!

Program Planning Fall 2025

Department Name	Meeting Date and Time	Meeting Location
Education	Oct. 21, 7:00 - 8:00 PM	Milstein 614
Film Studies	Nov. 12, 5:30 - 6:30 PM	Barnard Hall 405
Cognitive Science	Oct. 22, 7:00 - 8:00 PM	Event Oval
Computer Science	Nov. 11, 5:30 - 6:30 PM	Milstein 514
Theatre	Nov. 5, 5:00 - 6:00 PM	Milbank 229
Biology	Nov. 7, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Sulzberger Parlor
Economics	Nov. 10, 1:00 - 2:00 PM	Diana 203
Sociology	Oct. 29, 5:30 - 6:30 PM	Sulzberger South Tower
Human Rights	Oct. 21, 6:00 - 7:00 PM	Sulzberger Parlor
Neuroscience & Behavior	Nov. 6, 1:10 - 2:00 PM	Milstein LL001
Philosophy	Nov. 12, 12:00 - 1:00 PM	326 Milbank
Political Science	Nov. 5, 5:30 - 6:30 PM	203 Diana Center
Classics & Ancient Studies	Oct 31, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM	406 Barnard Hall
Architecture	Oct. 29, 5:30 - 6:00 PM	The McCagg Gallery, Diana Center
Urban Studies	Oct. 28, 6:00 PM	Diana Center 203
Dance	Oct. 30, 5:30 - 6:10 PM	306 Barnard Hall
Art History	Nov. 5, 11:30 AM	McCagg Gallery
Women's, Gender & Sexuality	Nov. 18, 4:15 PM	205 Barnard Hall
Chemistry	Nov. 13, 12:00 PM	Sulzberger Parlor

We are hiring for The First-Year Team!

Exciting news! We're hiring for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester as well as the summer! If you are still trying to nail down what you'd like to do this summer, working as a Student Assistant for The First-Year Team in the Deans' Office for Advising and Support is a fun, meaningful opportunity – as Student Assistants, we would know! 

In this position, we get to write blog posts, manage social media, and help students over email and meet with them virtually and in-person. We also work closely with each other and the rest of The First-Year Team to ensure that things are running smoothly. This paid opportunity would allow you to work with the Class of 2030 to help them prepare for their arrival on Barnard's campus (remember those First-Year Guides? That could be you!)

As a Student Assistant, you will be working Part-Time (10 hours/week) during the Spring and Full-Time (35 hours/week) during the summer with the option of being in-person, hybrid, or remote. Compensation is $18/hour. 

To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter, a brief writing sample, and a list of three references on Workday. The application, along with more information about the position, can be found here. Don't hesitate to reach out to our current Student Assistant, Riya Rao (rr3577@barnard.edu) if you would like to hear about the role from a student perspective!

-----------------------------------------

Job Responsibilities:

• Monitor and respond to the First-Year email account on a daily basis
• Update the First-Year blog with informational posts and updates on a regular basis for First-Year students regarding academic policies, procedures and deadlines, information from academic programs and departments, and announcements about student opportunities for fellowships, grants, and scholarships
• Plan events for First-Year students including creating Zoom groups based on students’ shared interests on regular basis
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure all First-Years register for classes, meet with academic advisors, and complete mandatory forms at the beginning of the semester
• Attend scheduled meetings with The First-Year Team for check-ins, announcements, updates on projects, and support other members
• Work on other duties and projects as assigned

Requirements:

Hours: Students in this role agree to work through the Spring term and the summer (last week of August). The role is meant to be Part-Time (10 hours/week) during the Fall and Spring terms and Full-Time (35 hours/week) during the summer with the potential to continue into the following school year. It is also important to note that there is flexibility to work in-person, hybrid or fully remote as long as you are able to complete the majority of your hours during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9AM-5PM ET.) The Student Assistant reports to the First-Year Class Dean, Erica Siegel.

Writing Sample: To give us an idea of how you would communicate via social media, please write a brief sample First-Year Blog post designed to inform entering First-Year students about a Barnard policy, procedure, or facet of Barnard's academic or campus life. Feel free to use images, videos, GIFs, etc. -- whatever you think would best showcase your ability to communicate engagingly, honestly, and professionally with entering students. Please submit your writing sample alongside your résumé and cover letter as part of your application.

References: Please include a list of three references in your résumé who we may contact.

Pay: $18/hour

Education Program - Program Planning for Spring!

 Hello Sophomores,

Please take a look at the following flyer below for the Barnard Education Program - Program Planning schedule for the next couple of weeks if you are interested and looking to plan courses with Education faculty!

Best,

The Sophomore Team

Update: Additional Writing Fellow appointments added for BWC!

We hope you are well! We wanted to share a quick update from the Barnard Writing Center in that, due to increased demand, they have added 30 more Writing Fellow appointments to their weekly schedule!

You can refer to this previous blog post for further information on the Barnard Writing Center and can make an appointment here!

Film Studies Program Planning Meeting!

 

Political Science Major Program Planning Meeting on November 5th!

 Hello Sophomores!

The Barnard Political Science Department will be holding a Major Program Planning meeting next Wednesday, November 5th from 5:30-6:30PM in 203 Diana Center for prospective majors if you are interested!

Please take a look at the flyer down below! You can RSVP here or use the QR code! Refreshments will be served!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Neuroscience & Behavior Department Presentation

The Barnard Neuroscience & Behavior Department will be hosting a meeting for new and prospective majors on Thursday, November 6th, 1:10 - 2:00pm, in Milstein LL001!

Students will be able to meet NSBV Faculty, learn about major requirements, discuss recommended sequences of courses, and more.

Anyone unable to make it in person can use the Zoom ID, 752 261 8457, to join remotely. 

 

How do I withdraw from a class with a W by the November 13 deadline?

 

The deadline to withdraw from a fall 2025 class is November 13. 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.

Barnard Languages Fair!

 Come discover the languages taught at Barnard, including new offerings in Chinese, Korean, Italian, and American Sign Language! 

Learn about the language requirement at Barnard! 

Explore the possibilities for study abroad! 

Enjoy international candy as well!! 

All this at the Languages Fair, Monday, October 27 from 12:00-2:00pm in the Diana Event Oval 

Education Program Open House

Join the Education Program for their fall Open House this coming Tuesday, October 21st, 

from 7-8 pm! Located in Milstein 614.

 

Majors Fair

 

Study Abroad Workshops

 

Take Part in a Research Study!

Come help out by taking part in a research study currently being conducted by a PhD student at Northeastern! Check out this flyer for more info... 👀

Also, feel free to fill out this form here!

Empirical Reasoning Center (ERC) Workshops!

The Empirical Reasoning Center is hosting several workshops on the upcoming Fridays. Please see what is being offered below:

SQL Workshop

Join us for a SQL workshop this Friday! Build your resume skills by learning to write SQL queries to retrieve and analyze data. Whether you’re strengthening career skills or just curious about new ways to work with data, there’s something here for you.

RSVP here
Date: Friday, September 26 at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102

R Workshop

Join us for a series of R workshops! As we wrapped up our first intro to R last Friday, we are ready to dive into how to use dplyr to clean, analyze, and visualize your datasets! If you were not able to attend our first workshop, you can watch the recording here

Data Analysis in R: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 3rd at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102

Data Visualization in R: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 10th at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102

QGIS Workshop

Want to turn raw data into beautiful, interactive maps? Join us for a series of QGIS workshops! Learn QGIS to create maps and visualize your data spatially. No previous experience required. 

Intro to QGIS: RSVP here
Date: Friday, September 26 at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102

Intermediate QGIS: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 10th at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102

Excel Workshop

Excel is more than a spreadsheet - join us for an Excel workshop in intermediate data analysis. Perfect for anyone working on research projects, internships, or student org budgets. If you were not able to attend our introductory workshop, you can watch the recording here

Intermediate Data Analysis in Excel: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 3rd at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102

2025 Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Conference!

Columbia Engineering is happy to invite interested Barnard students to join the Engineering 2025 Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Conference taking place on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 from 8:30AM - 3:00PM in the Davis Auditorium at the Columbia University, Morningside Campus!

This annual event aims to educate and inspire women from all backgrounds to pursue graduate degrees and careers in science and engineering. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of being a woman in these fields. Additionally, students will have the chance to expand their networks within the Columbia Engineering community and beyond, connecting with some of the brightest and most ambitious women in science and engineering. This experience will further empower you to make an impact as the next generation of leaders!

You can register for the event through this link and find the agenda!

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to Ying Xu, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Columbia Engineering, at yx2783@columbia.edu

How to drop a class by the Oct 7 deadline

Friday, 9/12/2025 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the October 7 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before November 13)

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 agree to review and approve your form without such a meeting

2. Submit the online Drop Request Form

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 additional 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. Log into Vergil to drop the class within two days and on or before the October 7 deadline.*

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.

 

FAQ: I filled out the form and it was approved. Why is the class still on my record?

A: The form/permission does NOT drop you from the class; it just temporarily reopens your ability to drop a class yourself -- don't forget to do step 4 above!

 

FAQ: I dropped the class and it was removed from my transcript, and I just noticed that it is mysteriously back there now?!?! 

A: This is rare, but there is a known technical glitch that sometimes causes this to happen. If you notice a previously dropped class has returned to your schedule, please email registrar@barnard.edu.  

 

FAQ: I heard graduating seniors can take fewer than 12 credits in their last semester if they don't need 12. Why won't the drop form let me do that?

A: There is a separate process to request this permission. See recent blog post for directions and link.

Annual Majors' Fair - SAVE THE DATE!

 

**NEW PROCESS** You can request permission to late-add in Vergil this 3rd week only!

 

During this 3rd week of classes, students can request a late add into courses using the approval workflow in Vergil.

When looking at the course information, instead of the Register or Join Waitlist buttons, you will now see a “Request Add” button:




If you request to add, it will be routed to the course’s instructor as well as the Registrar Office for approval.
 

If approved, you will need to go in and confirm registration to be added

Students can see the status of their requests from the “My Registration Requests” on the Vergil homepage. 

How to drop a class by the October 7 deadline

 

Friday, 9/12/2025 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the October 7 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before November 13)

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 agree to review and approve your form without such a meeting

2. Submit the online Drop Request Form

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 additional 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. Log into Vergil to drop the class within two days and on or before the October 7 deadline.*

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.

 

FAQ: I filled out the form and it was approved. Why is the class still on my record?

A: The form/permission does NOT drop you from the class; it just temporarily reopens your ability to drop a class yourself -- don't forget to do step 4 above!

 

FAQ: I dropped the class and it was removed from my transcript, and I just noticed that it is mysteriously back there now?!?! 

A: This is rare, but there is a known technical glitch that sometimes causes this to happen. If you notice a previously dropped class has returned to your schedule, please email registrar@barnard.edu.  

 

DEADLINE REMINDER: Registration, Advisor Approval, Enrollment Confirmation deadline Friday, Sept. 12

 Welcome back!

Don't forget:

1.  Your Fall 2025 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 "CONFIRM" in Slate.  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 CONFIRM upon confirming an appointment day/time with you.  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 12 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 may 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 this Friday, you will need to meet with your adviser for approval. Find this and all other deadlines on the Academic Calendar.

 

 

Reminder that all students must confirm enrollment by (1) registering for classes and (2) paying your bill by the registration deadline. Contact the Bursar if you need to discuss your bill.

**Note about Courseworks/Canvas**
Until the registration deadline, your Courseworks/Canvas page may not look exactly like your Vergil page because it takes some time for an added class 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 Vergil schedule. 

How to uncover grades of P from Spring or Summer 2025 by the Sept 12 deadline

 

When: Students* who elected the P/D/F grading option for a Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 can uncover a P grade through Friday, September 12.

How: This is not yet in Vergil, so:

1, Go to SSOL 

2. Click on “P/D/F grading,” 

3. Select “PDF Option Change Request,” 

4. Select “Pass/D/Fail Uncover.”

If you experience any technical difficulties or error messages, take a screenshot and email it along with your question to registrar@barnard.edu

Open History Classes!

 Hi All - If you're still looking for an open class, please see this list below!

OPEN HISTORY COURSES, FALL ‘25

For more info, see here: https://history.barnard.edu/course-listings-1

South Asian Diasporas, with Prof. Rao BC2859

This course focuses on the migration of people originating from the Indian subcontinent into a global horizon, and the multi-dimensional array of economic, political and cultural relationships produced between diasporic communities, their places of origin, and their places of arrival.

 

Check out this course if you: 

-would like to read fiction in addition to historical scholarship

-want to learn how to annotate reading materials

-are excited to learn more about NYC through walks in the city and short ethnographic write-ups

 

 

Early America to 1763, with Prof. Lipman BC2549

This course examines the three critical centuries from 1492 to 1763 that transformed North America from a diverse landscape teeming with hundreds of farming and hunting Native societies into a partly-colonized land under the sway of the Spanish, French, and British empires.

 

Check out this course if you:

-want to learn more about Indigenous nations, European colonies, and the Atlantic slave trade

-want to read primary sources on the culture of enslaved peoples, witchcraft, Native politics, and colonial rebellions

 

 

History of Globalization, with Prof. Alacevich BC2963

This course explores the history of globalization and its interpretations over the past six centuries. We will discuss constitutive elements of globalization, such as empires, trade and capitalism, slavery, and migratory movements, its environmental and ecological dimensions, and how it intersects with questions related to sovereignty, hegemony, and inequality.

 

Check out this course if you:

-are interested in mixing historical, economic, and sociological analysis

-want to get the big picture of global phenomena like trade wars, global inequality, and migrations, and their historical roots

-would like to improve your ability to interpret graphs but fear they are too complex and scary (they are not)

Of interest to students of: history, economic history, economic sociology, international political economy

 

 

Intro to European History from the Renaissance to the French Revolution, with Prof. Valenze BC1101

From 1450 to 1789, Europeans pursued their wildest desires for riches, power, truth, and beauty. The legacy of their ideas and actions shape our world today: Renaissance ideals and education; conflicts generated by long-distance trade; religious rebellion and toleration of difference; innovative scientific inquiry; transformative modes of production and consumption; and fearless curiosity associated with the word “enlightenment.”

 

Check out this course if you want to:

-experience history through art images and music

-find out how people in earlier centuries lived, worked, what they wore, and what they ate

-learn how to formulate good historical questions and write better essays

 

 

Introduction to the Global Middle Ages, with Prof. Delvaux BC1062

This course introduces students to medieval history and the methods historians use to study the premodern world. Topics include the fall of Rome, the rise of Christianity, the Islamic Conquests, the Polynesian and Viking expansions, the Black Death, and more.

 

Check out this course if you:

- are interested in big stories that still shape the world around us

- want to learn how archaeology and artifacts are used by historians

- think medieval pop culture is cool and want to know more about it

 

 

Global Environmental History, with Prof Cagloti BC2385

This class introduces students to the field of environmental history from a global perspective. Environmental history is the study of the relationship between nature and society over time. It deals with the material environment, cultural and scientific understandings of nature, and the politics of socio-economic use of natural resources. The class welcomes students from the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities. 

 

Check out this course if you are interested in:

- the origins of climate change

- global history

- the ways in which the environment shaped human history

- how different societies cared for, managed, and exploited the natural environment in history

- how power relations are shaping the politics of the current climate crisis

 

 

World Migration, with Prof. Moya BC2980

This course explores the role of migration in the evolution and global spread of our species and in the emergence of race, ethnicity, inequalities, and mixing. Sessions on prehistory, ancient Rome & Egypt; the spread of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Viking, Mongol, and Arab invasions; colonialism and slavery; the European, Chinese and Indian diasporas; and current migrations and debates.

 

Check out this course if you:

-have an interest in thinking through the deep historical context of an issue of immense contemporary significance in our city, country, and world