Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
First, welcome to the students who are new and who have already arrived on campus. We look forward to welcoming our returning students who will be arriving in the coming days.
Welcome back to our faculty and greetings to our staff who’ve been on campus this summer. We know you’ve all worked tirelessly to prepare for this new academic year!
We write to share a few updates about what you can expect on our campus this fall.
New Campus Access Levels
We are doing everything possible to ensure that Barnard remains a welcoming and safe place for our community to live and learn. To that end, we are introducing a four-level campus access plan to simplify communication about how you and your guests can access campus. Details about the levels are available online.
We will start the semester at Level B:
- Barnard’s campus is open to everyone with BC and CU IDs.
- The primary entry point to campus is the main gate at 117th and Broadway, which is accessible 24/7 with BC or CU IDs; at times, the gate at 119th and Broadway will also be accessible with BC and CU IDs.
- Accessing campus from outside our gates (i.e., via the Milstein entrance on Claremont Avenue and the Milbank entrance on 120th Street) will be available from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and requires a BC or CU ID. The primary entry point to campus outside of those hours will be the main gates.
- Advance guest registration is required.
We will adjust the campus status level to reflect current circumstances and to take into account any information or potential events that could affect the College. We will share changes from one status level to another with the community via email.
For after-hours ADA access and accommodations, the CARES community safety officer at the main gate will provide assistance. Should you have further questions about ADA access, please contact CARDS at (212) 854-4634 or cards@barnard.edu. For information about accessing Columbia’s campus, please see the Morningside Campus Access Levels.
Building Hours
You can now find new opening and closing hours for campus facilities online. Building hours may be extended to accommodate a class or special event or in reading or exam periods as listed on the Academic Calendar.
Construction Projects
The physical footprint of our campus looks a little different this year given two exciting construction projects: the transformation of Altschul Hall into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center (RDSC) and the completion of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being. Details are below, and information about campus renovations and construction-related impacts can always be found on the Barnard Builds website and via the weekly Barnard Builds newsletter.
- You’ll notice some scaffolding and new pedestrian routes along the main walkways, which we expect to remain in place through 2026. There will also be periodic noise disruptions for the duration of the project that we will try to mitigate as much as possible.
- Classrooms, laboratories, academic departments, and faculty offices formerly located in Altschul have been relocated to other areas on the Barnard, Columbia, and Teachers College campuses. Classroom assignments may be found in the Columbia Directory of Classes or through the Vergil Course Search prior to the start of classes.
- ADA access to Milbank Hall has changed, moving to the Toddler Center door on Broadway and 120th Street for the duration of the RDSC project. At times, the 119th Street gate will also be open so that those traveling north or south on campus may use the sidewalk on Broadway as another alternative to the steps between Milbank and the Diana Center. When closed, those seeking ADA access can contact a CARES Community Safety Officer (212-854-3362) for support.
- The Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being, opening later this semester, will support the physical, mental, and financial health of our entire community. We will share more details soon. In the interim, the Dodge Fitness Center remains available to all members of the Barnard community. Stay tuned for more information regarding FITbear Classes.
Should you have any questions related to construction, please reach out to barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.
Information & Resources
Finally, we’ve created a webpage with campus maps, directories, resources for support, and FAQs collected in one place. Additionally, the CARES nonemergency line (212-854-3362) has new touch-pad options to address specific areas of concern. For emergencies, please contact CARES at 212-854-6666.
We look forward to seeing all of you soon for the start of the new school year.
Sincerely,
Kelli A. Murray
Executive Vice President for Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer
Sandra Kim
Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Office