Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
As we head into the weekend, I congratulate our students for completing their mid-term exams and projects. I hope all members of our community are able to take some time to rest and rejuvenate before we return for the rest of the semester.
As is our long-standing tradition, the College will be closed next Tuesday, November 5, to make voting as easy as possible for students, faculty, and staff. Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and voting is a crucial way for all of us to express our hopes for local, state, and federal government.
I’m especially excited for our many students who are voting in a presidential election for the first time. If you need more information about polling sites here in New York, including locations and hours, please visit https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/.
Looking ahead, I invite you to join our Post-Election Community Forum on Wednesday, November 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Diana Event Oval. This is an opportunity for all Barnard students, faculty, and staff to come together during a critical moment to discuss the status and possible impacts of the election. In addition, the Athena Center is hosting election-focused programming on Thursday, November 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Friday, November 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. You may find more information about those events on the AthenaFest webpage.
I also recognize that the polarized rhetoric of this election season has caused many of us to experience a range of emotions. As always, the College offers multiple supportive resources, which are listed below.
Although it is difficult — even for the election experts on our faculty — to predict what will happen on Tuesday and beyond, let’s all come together to take care of one another during this historic moment. No matter the results, I know our community will remain committed to our mission of preparing our graduates “to flourish in different cultural surroundings in an increasingly interconnected world.”
Very truly yours,
Laura
Resources for Students
The Rosemary Furman Counseling Center (located on the first floor of Hewitt Hall)
Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crisis appointment hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 212-854-2092
Email: counseling@barnard.edu
Students who are experiencing heightened stress or have concerns related to the election are encouraged to take advantage of resources that are available to them through the Furman Counseling Center, including 20-minute one-on-one sessions as well as small group listening spaces that have been scheduled for next week. Those seeking a space for personal and collective dialogue and reflection may visit social media (@furmanatbarnard and @barnardhealth_wellness) for more information.
Additionally, Furman staff will be available to speak with students at the Post-Election Community Forum on Wednesday, November 6, in the Event Oval from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Thursday, November 7, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Furman Counseling Center.
To complement these on-campus resources, the College also offers after-hours counseling and crisis management support through Protocall Services. To connect with Protocall at night, on weekends, and during holidays, students may call 212-854-2092 and choose option 1.
Primary Care Health Service (located on the lower level of Reid Hall)
Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 212-854-2091
Barnard’s Primary Care Health Service (PCHS) will continue to offer an after-hours triage nurse service through AccessNurse. Students may access this service by calling 212-854-2091 and selecting option 1.
Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being
The Wellness Spot
Staff open office hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 212-854-3063
Email: TheWellnessSpot@barnard.edu
The Francine LeFrak Center and the Campus Life team will provide additional student-support spaces and quiet activities in Rooms 106 and 107 of Barnard Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week.
Resources for Faculty and Staff
Barnard’s Employee Assistance Program provides short-term counseling and referrals for employees and their families when they are experiencing life challenges. You may also call 877-240-6863 or email answers@HealthAdvocate.com.