Dear Students,

I hope you are all doing well. We just had another snowy day here in New York, and we are sending good wishes to those of you elsewhere who have been more severely impacted by winter weather, particularly in Texas. I am writing to provide further information as you begin to make summer plans and considerations for the Summer semester. Provost Bell’s message earlier today outlined information on summer course availability and the registration process, as well as other academic considerations; you can refer to the Registrar’s website and the alert website for more information. Please read this email in its entirety for more information about the residential living and student services available to you this summer.

On-campus Housing

We are pleased to be able to offer on-campus housing, though somewhat limited, for the Summer term. All students are eligible to apply to live on campus for the Summer A and B blocks. We hope to be able to accommodate all requests for housing, but if demand exceeds availability, prioritization will be given in the following order:

  •  Students enrolled in 3 or more credits in Barnard or Columbia courses, and for the applicable Summer term
  • Students participating in SRI
  • Students working an on-campus or local job or internship
  • Other

We recognize that a small number of students may have extenuating circumstances that may necessitate living on campus for the Summer term. If we are unable to accommodate all housing requests, we will contact any students who applied and did not receive an assignment to further discuss their circumstances. 

Additionally, there are students who may be involved in other campus summer programs, not detailed in this letter, that usually require housing. Students should be in touch with those program managers for further information about residency requirements and options for this summer.

Interim Housing Periods between the Spring and Summer blocks

Interim housing between the spring term and summer blocks will be available. More information is detailed on the alert website and on the housing application. It is our expectation that all students vacate campus at the conclusion of the Summer B exam period, to allow the residence halls to be prepared for the start of the Fall semester. If a student is permitted to remain in housing between the end of Summer B and the start of the Fall semester, they will incur a cost.

Housing Charges, Financial Assistance and Billing

Students will be charged $2700 for each of the Summer blocks A and B for on-campus summer housing. Students who received financial aid during the 2020-2021 fall and spring semesters can receive financial assistance for summer housing (note: for on-campus housing only) if they will be enrolled in 3 or more credits for each summer block they receive on-campus housing. Specific details available on the alert website. Students who are participating in SRI and are not receiving financial assistance as noted above, will receive a subsidy for housing. More information about this is on the alert website as well.

Students will be notified of Summer billing dates and payment deadlines in the next few weeks. 

Housing Application

The application for summer housing will be available on Monday March 15 and remain open until the application deadline of Monday, March 29 at 11:59 p.m.  More information about Summer housing can be found on the Residential Life website and the alert website. 

Dining and Student Services

We expect to offer dining options, including a summer meal plan. As information becomes available about these options, we will add it to the website. Students who received financial aid during the 2020-2021 fall and spring semesters and who will be living on campus over the summer can also receive financial assistance towards a meal plan. In addition, most student services that are available during the regular academic year will remain available throughout the summer term, including but not limited to Primary Care and Furman Counseling, and accommodations through CARDS. We will share information about student life and other programmatic offerings as we get closer to the summer.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our community remains our highest priority — and preventing the spread of COVID-19 necessitates strict adherence to public health protocols. Residential operations on campus this summer will continue to require the full participation, cooperation, and a commitment to following the College’s health protocols outlined in our Feel Well, Do Well: Health and Safety Plan. The College will continue its comprehensive COVID-19 testing and contract tracing program. Students moving onto campus for the first time will be tested immediately upon arrival and will be required to quarantine either until their results come back or until they complete a required travel-related quarantine, which applies to travel from both international locations and locations on the New York State restricted states quarantine list. As we get closer to the summer, we will provide more details about testing frequency and summer protocols.

Students who reside off-campus will continue to be able to access campus daily but will be required to follow the College’s health and safety guidelines, including participation in the College’s testing program.

Summer Term Key Dates

Finally, as the Spring semester moves along, here are some overall key dates to keep in mind for students who are planning on taking summer coursework.

  • March 8-12: Early registration for Summer A and B courses
  • March 29: Deadline to submit the Housing Application for summer
  • April 24: Move-out for Spring residents not staying in housing for the Summer
  • May 1- May 2: Summer A Move-in
  • May 3: First day of classes for Summer courses
  • May 3-14: Final Registration period for summer courses
  • June 18: Summer A Move-out  
  • June 27: Summer B Move-in
  • June 28: First day of class for Summer B
  • August 11-16: Summer B Final Exams
  • August 14-16: Summer B Move-out

*All students in residence will be required to move out of the residence halls within 24 hours of their last scheduled final exam

*Additional move-in/out information for students participating in SRI but not taking Summer A and/or B courses will be provided separately.

The last 12 months, and this entire academic year, have required us all to adapt. We appreciate your continued commitment and flexibility as we make decisions that are best for the overall success of the Barnard community. We are excited to be able to provide you with new summer options given this unprecedented past year and we will continue to provide additional details about this summer and the upcoming fall semester as they become available. In the meantime, I offer best wishes for the remainder of the spring semester and the upcoming spring break. I encourage you to continue to read the website, as well as the Barnard 411 newsletter for further updates.

Sincerely,

Leslie Grinage
Dean of the College