Moving In

As a reminder, students are required to submit a negative result from either a PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days before they arrive on campus or an antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before move-in. In addition, students whose pre-arrival test is antigen (rather than PCR) or who are not yet fully vaccinated will be required to participate in an arrival quarantine

For information about the various move-in testing and Arrival Quarantine requirements (including submitting a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result), please visit the Pandemic Response Team’s Fall Move In FAQ. 

For testing-related questions (including pre-arrival testing), please email covidtesting@barnard.edu.

To help the College coordinate and ensure a smooth process, students will need to sign up for a Check-In Time Slot for their designated move-in day.

To select (or change) your Check-Time Slot, 

• Log into the Housing Portal.
• Click SELECT TIME SLOT
• Your will need to answer some pre-arrival questions first.
• Then, you can select an available check-in time slot.

Students will need to arrive to campus at their check-in time slot to take the entry COVID-19 testing and receive their room keys.  They will be able to move into their room after completing the check-in.

There is no need to separately schedule the entry COVID-19 test because that's automatically part of your time slot.

Move-in will take place rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.

Please note that masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Arriving to Campus:

For directions to campus, please visit https://barnard.edu/directions.  

Regardless of your room assignment, you will need to enter the Main Gates of campus first at Broadway & 117th Street to complete the Check-In Process before moving into your residence hall.

If you are arriving to campus in your own car and living outside of the Quad, please wait until after you check-in to travel to your res hall and unload your vehicle. Students moving in on their own can keep their suitcases at the Luggage station inside the Main Gates while they check-in.

If you're moving into the Quad, you can unload your belongings into a numbered chalk box on the sidewalk -- please have a family member or friend stay with your belongings while you check-in following the steps below.

The west side of Broadway and the area in front of each residence hall will be reserved for short-term drop off of belongings. We ask that this area be used only for the unloading process to allow space for others to drop off as well. Limited metered street parking is available around the perimeter of campus.  A list of parking garages is also available at https://barnard.edu/admissions/parking.

#1 -- Arrival COVID-19 Test in the Altschul Atrium

After entering the Main Gate to campus, please enter Altschul through the north door (please see map above).  You will take your entry COVID-19 test and be given a paper slip to confirm for the next step.

As a reminder, students are also required to submit a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result. For information about this requirement and the arrival quarantine requirements, please visit Barnard Fall Move-In Information.

#2 -- Check-In to Receive Room Keys

Next, enter the lobby of the Diana (see map above).

You will need to show your Check-In Barcode (sent via email and also available on the Housing Portal), as well as your Barnard Student ID*, in order to receive your room keys.

* Please see the next section for more info about Student IDs, including for new students and students who may have lost their ID over the summer.

Moving into your room:

After completing your arrival COVID-19 test and receiving your room keys, you can start moving into your room. 

Students will need to swipe their Student ID at the front desk each time they enter the building.

A limited number of carts will be available at each residence hall. We encourage you to bring your own cart, handtruck, or dolly if possible.

Students required to participate in an arrival quarantine will need to start their quarantine period after moving in their belongings. For any questions about arrival quarantines, please email QISupport@barnard.edu.

New first year and transfer students must submit a photo online ASAP (if you haven’t already done so) so that your Student ID will be ready for pick up at Check-In.

Returning students who may have lost their Student ID will need to fill out the CARES ID Replacement Form for assistance obtaining a replacement ID card. 

Students will need to carry their Student IDs at all times for swipe access to their residence hall and other buildings on campus.

Only assigned students will be able to enter the residence halls. 

Family & friends may provide curbside support, but will not be able to enter the residence halls (or academic buildings).

We know this may be disappointing, but as advised by the College's infectious disease experts, Barnard needs to manage density in the residence halls at a time when people are arriving to campus from all over the world. The College hopes to allow friends & family to enter as visitors later in the semester.

Students who may need move-in assistance as an accommodation for a disability or medical condition should submit a request to CARDS (Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services) at least 2 weeks before their designated move-in date for consideration. For more information, please visit the CARDS Fall 2021 Information page.

As a reminder, as advised by the College's pandemic response experts, parents and other guests will not be permitted to enter the residence halls, with the exception of pre-approved accommodations approved for disabilities or other medical conditions (see above).

Parents and other guests are welcome to spend time outdoors on Barnard’s campus, and we invite you to visit the hospitality tent for parents and families on Futter Field. Parents will be able to meet one another and some key Barnard administrators, as well as relax and wait for their student as needed. Formal parent and family orientation sessions will take place virtually in September, once move-in has ended.

Given pandemic-related restrictions, please do not enter campus buildings, with the exception of the bathrooms in the Visitor Center and the Barnard Store in the Diana Center. Please note that masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.

All parents and other visitors must check in at the main gate at 117th Street and Broadway. You will need to scan the QR code at the gate and complete a short health attestation before entering campus.

The Student Mail Room in Altschul Hall will be open the following hours for the move in days below (Please visit Mail Services for hours on other dates).

• Sunday, August 29 -- 9:30am - 4:15pm
• Monday, August 30 -- 9:30am - 6pm
• Tuesday, August 31 -- 9:30am - 6pm

All mail & packages must be addressed to students' mailbox in Altschul. Any mail/packages addressed to a students' residence hall would be returned to sender.

The Student Mail Room will accept mail & packages for students up to 3 days before their scheduled move-in date. If you're sending packages before moving in, please ask the shipper to hold delivery until that time.

For information about how to find your Mailing Address and receiving mail in the Student Mailroom, please visit Student Mail Information.

Formal NSOP (New Student Orientation Program) activities begin at 5:00pm on Sunday, August 29 with the President’s Welcome for First-Years, so parents and families should plan to depart campus before that time.

Students will receive more details about NSOP via email, including the full schedule and messages from their assigned orientation leader.

Returning sophomores, juniors, and seniors will participate in Welcome Home, Welcome Back Week (WHWBW), an extended series of reorientation programs designed to provide educational, social and engaging opportunities for students both returning to campus or coming to campus for the first time. WHWBW activities begin at 12pm on both Monday, August 30 and Tuesday, August 31, but these sessions are not mandatory.

Programs during WHWBW will be targeted specifically for the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. In addition, the Class of 2024 are welcome to participate in select NSOP programs, including social engagement and sessions on Barnard resources. Students will receive the full schedule via email.