Dear Members of the Barnard Community, 

We made it through the first week of the semester and are deep into the second week.  I hope you are feeling energized by classes, community, and all the potential that this year holds. 

It’s been wonderful to see so many of you on the lawn, queued up at Liz’s, and enjoying the crispness of September in New York City.  As we look ahead to the year before us, I remain optimistic that we will restore and strengthen a spirit of connection and open discussion throughout the College.  The College is only as strong as the relationships we foster, and you are making and renewing those connections every day. 

We talk a lot about community at Barnard, and some of you have asked what that means.  Potential answers are as diverse as our student body, but I hope we all agree that community is about much more than rules or policies.  To me, community means bridging our similarities and differences with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to learning and mutual understanding.  In that way, we forge a common Barnard identity rooted in care and respect. 

I’ve also heard many of you say that real-world examples would better help explain and elucidate the expectations that come with being part of this community.  I’m pleased to share some examples here that are based on Barnard’s core values of inclusion and continuous learning.  These examples and explanations incorporate the concerns and hopes of many students, faculty, and staff, but they are in no way exhaustive.  I hope they will spur discussion and be helpful as we live, work, and learn together,

I am excited for the year ahead, and I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Very truly yours,

Laura Ann Rosenbury
President, Barnard College