More info on how to prepare for fall registration in Vergil

 

Dear Students,   We are roughly two weeks away from the start of registration for fall classes.   I hope you were able to successfully try out the Vergil Course Search and Planner after reading my email last week.    This week, to prepare yourself for registering for fall classes in the new Vergil registration system, you can do the following things: •    Log into Vergil. •    Complete the Financial Responsibility Statement. Important: You will not be able to register for fall classes until this is completed. •    View your Registration Appointments for the fall. Be sure the Term in the upper-right is set to Fall 2025.   •    Rising seniors register on Tuesday April 15, rising juniors on Wednesday April 16, rising sophomores on Thursday April 17. •    If you think your registration appointment in Vergil is incorrect, please contact us immediately at registrar@barnard.edu. •    Use the Vergil Course Search to Add classes to your Planner. •    TIP: Be sure to change the Term to Fall 2025 in the upper right corner. •    Search by subject, by department, by Foundations/Gen Ed requirement, by classes with open seats, etc. See screenshots here. •    Schedule a meeting with your academic adviser.   You can find more information about how to register in Vergil here.   If you have questions about Vergil or registration more generally, please contact my office at registrar@barnard.edu so that we can assist you.   If you have questions about the Financial Responsibility Statement or payment arrangements more generally, please contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@barnard.edu.   Best wishes, Jennifer Simmons Registrar

Office of the Registrar, Barnard College 3009 Broadway, New York, NY View in browser

Not graduating this May? Don't forget to meet with your adviser and register for classes April 15 for senior priority

If you're not graduating this May and plan to take fall 2025 classes, be sure to meet with your adviser for advising, so that you will be prepared to sign up for fall 2025 classes during your appointment timeslot the week of April 15-21 (seniors register Tuesday, April 15).  

Reminder that registration will take place entirely in Vergil

Your assigned registration time will appear closer to registration week if it’s not there yet. 

Additional reminder about the credit cap: You may not advance-register for more than 19 credits. Once the semester begins, you may ask your adviser for permission for up to 23 credits if there are extremely extenuating circumstances that make this necessary

Vergil registration resources

Not graduating this May or October?  Reminder that registration for the fall semester will take place on Vergil! Your academic record (transcript and degree audit) will still be in Student Planning, but now's a good time to get familiar with Vergil, so you can register with confidence and efficiency when rising-senior registration opens on Tuesday, April 15.

This Columbia website has some really helpful information and screenshots for all your registration needs:

 https://sishelp.sis.columbia.edu/vergil_student_registration

 

 

Accessibility Week 2025

Dear Barnard Students, Faculty, and Staff,    The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services (CARDS), and the Disability Employee Resource Group are excited to invite all Barnard community members to the fifth annual Accessibility Week, which will take place from April 7-11, 2025. Accessibility Week offers community-wide programming focused on disability inclusion and social justice.   Special thanks to our partners: CEP, IMATS, and Health & Wellness   RSVP for ALL events here.   Please check out our Disability and Access website for more resources, including an intro guide on Digital Accessibility by Elana Altman (IMATS).    If you have any questions, please email dei@barnard.edu   Warmly, Office of DEI Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services   Events line-up:    CARDS Student Social/Field Day Monday, April 7 | 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Sulzberger Tower North Have a Field Day with CARDS! Students are invited to our 3rd Field Day event - we’ll have tie-dye, crafts/coloring, pizza, and bingo with prizes. We’ll also have a raffle for gift cards and CARDS Peer Mentors/Mentees can pick up their sweatshirts! Join us as we celebrate disabled joy together! If you have any questions please reach out to cards@barnard.edu   An Intro to Digital Accessibility - A Workshop for Faculty and Staff   Tuesday, April 8 | 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Milstein 516 Learn about digital accessibility and how to design accessible content. Sponsored by the Barnard Computational Science Center and Presented by Anisa Bora Disability (Research) Salon Tuesday, April 8 | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | James Room, Barnard Hall 4th Floor Join us for the Disability (Research) Salon during Accessibility Week, the week of April 7th! Students will have the opportunity to present research or theses related to disability studies or lived experiences with disability/chronic illness and then engage in discussion with the community. Opening remarks and facilitation will be provided by Prof Mara Green, Anthropology and instructor of the Disability course taught in the Fall 2023 & 2024 Semesters. Refreshments will be provided.   Tabling for How to Register with CARDS For Students By Students  Wednesday, April 9 | 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Diana First Floor   Disability Zine Event Wednesday, April 9 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Zine Library Sponsored by the Barnard Libraries and Presented by Jenna Freedman   Disability Employee Resource Group and Staff/Faculty Mixer Thursday, April 10 | 11:30  a.m. - 2 p.m. | Judith Shapiro Faculty Room, Diana 2nd Floor Are you interested in learning more about the Disability ERG? This event is for staff and faculty who identify as part of the disability community to connect and mingle with the Barnard Disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) members. Please come out to meet new people and celebrate Accessibility Week! Lunch will be provided.   Film screening of "As You Are" and talkback with Director Daisy Friedman Thursday, April 10 | 6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. | Milstein LL001 Check out the short film “As You Are”, which delves into themes of desirability, intimacy, and the unique experiences of disabled individuals. Join in a talkback from the writer and Director, Daisy Friedman, BC’25.  Refreshments will be provided.   RSVP for ALL events here. We’d also like to highlight programming from the Center for Engaged Pedagogy:   The Crip Shelves Reading Group, a student-led initiative supported by the Center for Engaged Pedagogy (CEP).    A new monthly Crip Shelves Reading Group! Students, faculty, and staff will meet to discuss readings concerning critical disability studies, especially those which emphasize care work and engaged pedagogy. This month's reading is Making Sense: Language, Ethics, and Understanding in Deaf Nepal by our very own Barnard linguistic anthropologist, E. Mara Green! You are invited to join the conversation regardless of your background with disability studies! Register here. *A physical copy of the reading is available in the CEP lending library along with a digital copy through CLIO*   CEP is thrilled to announce our Bold 2025 Conference (April 3-4) lineup! Bold is not just any pedagogy conference; it’s a rare space for the whole Barnard community–students, faculty, and staff–to come together to consider the urgent questions impacting our teaching and learning culture. This year, we went back to our roots to emphasize student-designed sessions–like our Centering Disabled Voices panel discussion and our Prioritizing Student Learning, Centering Community Needs community conversation, both of which were pitched and designed by Barnard students and members of the CEP Student Advisory Committee.    Centering Disabled Voices: Faculty and Students in Conversation  Friday, April 4 | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Check out the full line-up and register for all conference sessions here (https://bit.ly/bold2025reg). A plug from Barnard Alum, Julia Betancourt ’21: Barnard Accessibility Week is partnering with the ReelAbilities Film Festival to allow Columbia community members to attend, for free, a screening of ReelShorts: Dream Big on April 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. This screening will include a selection of short films and a talk-back with the filmmakers and will end at approximately 2:45 pm. Free tickets are first come first serve, and community members can reserve their free tickets at this link. Barnard College 3009 Broadway, NY, New York View in browser

Senior Thesis Working Group - April 4th!

The Deans' Office for Advising and Support and the Center for Engaged Pedagogy are hosting another senior thesis group coaching session! If you are writing a senior thesis and are struggling with: comparing your progress to others, writer's block and motivation, an overwhelming course workload, wanting feedback on drafts, or reaching checkpoints, then we can help. 

RSVP to join the next group coaching session on Friday, April 4th at 3:30PM in Milstein Room 111!

Senior FAQ: I might need to take an incomplete or a class or two this summer to finish my degree; can I "walk" in Commencement this May?

 

Short answer: in some cases, with permission

Longer answer (also explained on the Deans Office website):

 

For students within 2 classes (no more than 8 credits) of graduating:

Students expected to complete degree requirements in the summer of that calendar year and who will be within 2 courses (totaling no more than 8 credits) of completing their degree requirements at the culmination of the Spring semester. While such students may participate in Commencement exercises, the degree will not be conferred until October. Approval for anticipated October graduates to participate in the May ceremony in the same calendar year must be obtained from the Senior Class Dean, and students must have a detailed plan for completion of their remaining credits.

Great! How do I get this approval?

1. Email rgrabine@barnard.edu, using subject line "permission to walk with credits pending"
2. In your email, please note the total number of credits you still need and when/where you plan to take them.
3. Please do this as soon as you are sure of your plans, so we can add you to the list! The deadline to make this request has been briefly extended and is now March 28

 

For students who will need more than 2 courses/8 credits or need to take classes beyond the summer:

In extremely rare circumstances, a student with more than 2 courses (or more than 8 credits) remaining for degree completion at the end of the Spring semester may be approved by the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies. Please note that requests from students who need more than a semester's worth of credit after this May -- or who plan to be enrolled next fall -- are unlikely to be approved.

OK! I get that this may not be approved, but how would I request this special approval?

1. Email htedder@barnard.edu to request permission
2. In your email, please explain any extenuating circumstances and note the total number of credits you still need and when/where you plan to take them.
3. Please do this as soon as you are sure of your plans, so we can add you to the list! The deadline to make this request is March 20.

What if I want or need to participate in next year's Commencement ceremony?

Students whose degrees are conferred in October but who did not participate in the Commencement ceremony of that calendar year may request to the Dean of the College to participate during the ceremony the following May.

NEW registration site & process for summer, fall & beyond -- Registration is now in Vergil for all Barnard and Columbia students!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Barnard registrar about new registration system for all future terms:

Dear Students,   I hope you enjoyed the break from classes last week.   As you probably know, fall registration starts in roughly three weeks (rising seniors register on Tuesday April 15, rising juniors on Wednesday April 16, rising sophomores on Thursday April 17).     Registration will be happening in the new Vergil registration system (not in Student Planning).     Between now and then, I will be emailing you with recommended steps you can take to familiarize yourself with the new system.   This week, I recommend that you go to the Vergil Course Search and explore the ways you can search for classes — by subject, by department, by Foundations/Gen Ed requirement, by classes with open seats, etc. See screenshots here.           TIP: Be sure to change the Term to Fall 2025 in the upper right corner   From the results of your Course Search, you can add classes to your Vergil Planner, just like you did in Student Planning. When your fall registration appointment begins, you will be able to register either from your Planner — or directly from the Course Search results.   If you have questions about Vergil, please contact my office at registrar@barnard.edu so that we can assist you.   Best wishes, Jennifer Simmons Registrar

Office of the Registrar, Barnard College 3009 Broadway, New York, NY View in browser Unsubscribe

Barnard Bold Conference!

Interested in student-faculty pedagogical partnership? Curious about what makes academic freedom possible? Eager to make your voice heard in conversations on teaching and learning with Barnard students, faculty, and staff? There is still time to RSVP for the annual Bold Conference. Check out the full line-up and RSVP for all conference sessions here.

Barnard Bold Conference | April 3-4PM (various time), RSVP here

Bold is not just any pedagogy conference; it’s a rare space for the whole Barnard community–students, faculty, and staff–to come together to consider the urgent questions impacting our teaching and learning culture. This year, we went back to our roots to emphasize student-designed sessions–like our Centering Disabled Voices panel discussion and our Prioritizing Student Learning, Centering Community Needs community conversation, both of which were pitched and designed by Barnard students and members of the CEP Student Advisory Committee. 

Reminder: it is a violation of the College Code of Conduct to buy or sell Commencement tickets

We have heard that some seniors are attempting to sell Barnard Commencement tickets on social media platforms. Please note that the sale of commencement tickets for either the Barnard or Columbia University Commencement ceremonies is strictly prohibited. 

Barnard Commencement tickets are the property of the College, not the student. Students found selling tickets risk having their tickets revoked and their diplomas delayed, and could face additional sanctions such as probation. 

TL;DR: Do not buy or sell the free Commencement tickets

Senior Class Dean 2024-2025 Walk-In Hours -- Stop by in person or on zoom!

Got a quick question?

Need to talk to a dean ASAP?

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

Otherwise, during the semester, you may walk in virtually or in person at any of the times below. 

Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time

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

Wednesdays: Degree Audit Drop-Ins 4-5pm Eastern Time

• Enter waiting room via this Degree Audit Drop-ins Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank
• We will prioritize students seeking degree audit advice but will see other students if time permits 
• If we run out of time and can't see you, we apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to schedule an appointment, to try walk-ins on a different day, or for time-sensitive matters, to call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.

Thursdays 3-4pm Eastern Time

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

Senior-Year FACT OR FICTION: Can't uncover grades of "P" for classes taken in final semester?

FACT OR FICTION:
Is it true that graduating seniors cannot uncover grades of P for classes taken in their last semester?

YES; this is FACT. Graduating seniors cannot uncover P/D/F grades for classes taken during their final semester. (If a graduating senior elects P/D/F in a course that is required for the major, the Registrar’s Office will uncover the grade the month before graduation, but the student cannot uncover any P/D/F grades for the final semester.)  

Heard a rumor and want to know if it's true?  Submit requests for this series to SeniorClassDean@barnard.edu

Graduating this May and haven't declared your minor yet? Submit Minor Election form ASAP during brief grace period

Working on a minor that you haven't yet declared?

The deadline for May grads to declare a minor was March 7, but there is a BRIEF grade period, so submit this form ASAP.

 Use this Slate form: https://slate.barnard.edu/register/minor_election

How do I withdraw from a class with a W by the March 27 deadline?

 

The deadline to withdraw from a spring 2025 class is March 27. 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.

How to elect the P/D/F option by the March 27 deadline

The last day to elect the p/d/f option is March 27, 2025 (this is also the W deadline).

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

Also, note that courses taken p/d/f this year are subject to the current rules.  Read all about p/d/f on the Registrar's website but especially note the current policy on the number of courses that may be taken p/d/f, as it is different from the special policy exception that was in place last year:

Beginning fall 2023, Barnard students can elect P/D/F grading in one course per term during the academic year (fall/spring).  This is in addition to any courses with mandatory pass/fail grading.  A class in which the P grade is uncovered is still counted towards the one course per term P/D/F limit.

• Classes taken for P/D/F grading can be applied to general education requirements. 
• You cannot elect P/D/F grading for any course that is needed to fulfill major or minor requirements.  It is your responsibility to be sure that you understand this policy and to consult with your department if you have any questions.  Please note that if you elect P/D/F grading in a class that your Department Chair determines is required for your major or minor requirements, the “pass” grade will be administratively uncovered by the Registrar’s Office at the point of graduation, which could affect both your term and cumulative gpa. Dean’ List status can also be affected by this.

Grading

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

A letter grade of A+ through C- will appear on the transcript as a P, and will not count in the gpa.
A letter grade of D will appear on the transcript as a D, and will count in the gpa.
A letter grade of F will appear on the transcript as an F, and will count in the gpa.

 

To elect the P/D/F Grading option:

Barnard students will use SSOL to elect P/D/F grading

-Click here to elect a current course for P/D/F grading.  (Use a browser other than Safari).

-Click on P/D/F grading then Grading Option Change Request.

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

 

To undo/ revoke your p/d/f election  - or switch the election to a different class (this must be done prior to the P/D/F grading deadline):

-Go to ssol.columbia.edu and go to Pass/D/Fail Uncover.

 

 Pro Tip:

-If you drop or officially withdraw from a class that you had previously p/d/f'd, you should also revoke the p/d/f so that it won't count towards your p/d/f limit.

FAQ:

Q: My course doesn't have a P/D/F option in SSOL! Does that mean I can't take it p/d/f????

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

Summer at Barnard? Summer at Columbia? Summer elsewhere? How? When?

 

If you're a rising senior or a senior who may need an additional class or two to finish up, you may be interested in -- and possibly confused by! -- summer course offerings at Barnard, Columbia, or elsewhere during summer 2025.

There are several options for Barnard students who want or need to take classes this summer:

Note that financial aid does not tend to cover summer study, although students who receive financial aid during the academic year may be eligible for limited financial assistance for Barnard summer classes (option 1, below). It is often the case that taking classes at another institution (option 3) is more affordable. Your class dean is happy to consult!

1. Barnard will offer a limited number of courses, in two summer sessions. Courses are now posted on the Barnard website and on Vergil.

When can I register for them?

Registration is now open! Registration will be first-come, first-served, so register as soon as possible if it is important for you to take something specific.

How can I register for them?

On Vergil -- yes, you read that right. Register for Barnard summer courses on Vergil

Here's a guide with screenshots for how to register using Vergil: https://sishelp.sis.columbia.edu/vergil_student_registration

How will I be billed?

Costs will be listed on the Summer website, and you will be billed by Barnard on a per-credit basis.

 

How will these courses be counted?

Summer courses will automatically appear on your Barnard transcript, just like classes taken during the year. Courses taken for a grade will factor into your Barnard GPA. 

 

What if I need CARDS accommodations in summer?

Learn more here: https://barnard.edu/disabilityservices/resources-and-opportunities-current-students

2. As in past years, Columbia will be offering summer courses, which Barnard students may take.

When can I register for them?

Registration is now open for Columbia Summer courses.

 

How can I register for them?

Also in Vergil!  Be sure to adhere to rules about summer transfer course registration, listed on the registrar's website

How will I be billed?

Columbia will bill you directly.

 

How will these courses get onto my transcript?

Note that Columbia summer courses are considered transfer credit, so in addition to registering, be sure to submit the Summer Course Approval Form. Once you complete the course(s), Columbia will automatically send transcripts to the Barnard Registrar.  Columbia Summer courses will appear as transfer credits on your Barnard transcript and will not be factored into your Barnard GPA.

 

What if I need CARDS accommodations in summer?

Learn more here: https://barnard.edu/disabilityservices/resources-and-opportunities-current-students 

 

3. You may also take courses at another accredited college or university and transfer them back to Barnard.

How do I get those approved?

Look for courses that adhere to the rules about summer transfer course registration. Register for them directly through the host university, and be sure to submit the Summer Course Approval Form and to request that a final, official transcript be sent directly to the Barnard Registrar when your courses are finished. External summer courses will appear as transfer credits on your Barnard transcript and will not be factored into your Barnard GPA.

Crafts & Community!

Please join us on Wednesday, March 12th from 1:00-2:00PM in Milstein, Room 119 for a student-led initiative to build community while building blocks of clay and other crafts! In this space, students will be sharing stories and connecting with peers! Lunch will be provided. Register here. 

Opportunity: The Ingeborg, Tamara, and Yonina Rennert Senior Thesis Prize in Jewish Studies

A $5,000 prize will be awarded to a graduating Barnard senior whose senior project displays the highest standards of scholarship in Jewish Studies in any relevant discipline (e.g., History, Religion, Art History, Sociology, Theater, etc.). Please send submissions to Professor Beth Berkowitz at bberkowi@barnard.edu. The recipient (or recipients, if more than one is chosen, in which case the prize will be divided) will be selected by the Rennert Faculty Advisory Board. If your thesis is not finished by the deadline, it can still be considered if you submit it with a description of the work that remains to be completed.

Deadline: April 15, 2025

Senior Thesis Working Group on March 7th!

Hello Seniors!

If you are writing a senior thesis and are struggling with: comparing your progress to others, writer's block and motivation, an overwhelming course workload, wanting feedback on drafts, or reaching checkpoints, then we can help! RSVP to join the next Senior Thesis on Friday, March 7th at 3pm.