Bear Essentials

As published in the Barnard Bulletin on April 26, 2008

Bear Essentials Archive

ADVANCE PROGRAM FILING FOR FALL 2008: Please read the Registrar's memo and the information on Barnard limited-enrollment courses. Programs must be entered online, and approved by your adviser online, by 4:30pm on Monday, April 28. Please check with your adviser early on to find out when s/he will be available to meet with you.

STUDENTS GOING ON STUDY LEAVE:
1) Please fill out the study leave and waiver forms available at the Dean of Studies as soon as you are admitted to the program you will attend. Please submit this form in lieu of filing a program. The pre-approved course form is due on last day of classes, Thursday, May 1.

2) Dean Link will hold one more session on how to post and get your study abroad courses approved on eBear, and if you have not attended one of the three prior sessions, you must attend this one if you will be abroad in the fall. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:30 in 324 Milbank.

3) THE MANDATORY PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 5-6:30pm, in 202 Altschul. This is a mandatory meeting for students studying abroad for the Fall 2008 semester and/or the 2008-2009 academic year. Dean Link will discuss many things you need to know before leaving as well as share important information from Health Services, Career Development, and Admissions. At the end of the meeting, there will be an opportunity to talk with Barnard study abroad alumnae who studied in many of the countries or regions where you will be going.

ACADEMIC STANDING REPORTS: The Dean of Studies Office is receiving reports from faculty members about students who seem to be having difficulty in particular courses. If we receive one for you, we will ask you to meet with your adviser or Class Dean to talk about ways of improving your standing. We hope that the reports and conversations will be helpful to you.

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS: All current first-year students who will need to take First-Year Seminar in the fall must add it to your advance programs. Dean Hollibaugh has sent information about seminar offerings and procedures to your Altschul mailboxes.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: All F-1 students who will be traveling outside the United States after the end of the semester must obtain a new signature on your I-20s prior to leaving the country if the last signature is more than six months old. You will need the new signature in order to be admitted back to the United States. Deans Kuan Tsu and Starks-Allen and Mr. Farrell, all in the Dean of Studies Office, are authorized to sign I-20s. Seniors who are interested in working in the United States after graduation should make an appointment to see Dean Tsu or Dean Starks-Allen as soon as possible to begin the application process for optional practical training.

WITHDRAWING STUDENTS: If you do not plan to return to the College for the fall semester, and if you will not be on study leave, please meet with your Class Dean before the end of the semester to complete withdrawal procedures. If you decide to withdraw during the summer, please contact your class dean immediately.

STUDY ROOMS: Students may reserve rooms 403 and 404 in Barnard Hall for study groups during reading days and exam week. To sign up for a room, please call 212-854-2024 or stop by the Dean of Studies Office.

YEAR-END REMINDERS FROM HEALTH SERVICES
Seniors: Please pay outstanding Health Service bills. Failure to do so will delay or prevent you from receiving your diploma or transcripts.

All Students: Health Services will be closed for clinical care for the summer after Friday, May 23. Please make sure you have enough allergy serum, birth control, acne medications, and any other medications you may need to last the summer. Call HS (212-854-2091) to make an appointment to pick up the medications that you'll need.

Barnard students may be seen in the Columbia Health Service for urgent care needs only during the summer months. You will be charged a fee of $60 at the time of your visit which you can claim on your Student Insurance or family insurance. Make sure that the provider gives you a receipt that contains all the codes for your visit (CPT & ICD9), the Health Service Tax ID# and the provider's name and title. Please visit www.barnard.edu/health for more information on reimbursement.

Basic and additional Optional Student Health Insurance can be extended through the summer months. Please note that Optional Insurance can only be extended through the summer if you had Optional Insurance in the spring. Seniors, you are eligible for this extension, too! The application deadline is May 26. Please call HS at x42091 for more info.

If you are traveling to a foreign country and need immunization, please make an appointment in the Health Service as soon as possible. You may need a series of inoculations and time to build up immunity.

If you are going abroad this summer, make sure to look into your destination's health care policies and concerns before you go. Be sure to have enough of your prescriptions (in their original containers!) to last your trip.

Wear sunblock! Remember, hormonal birth control and some antibiotics can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

YEAR-END ACADEMIC PROCEDURES: Please refer to Dean Blank’s e-mail message about end-of-the-semester completion of coursework, which has been sent to students and faculty members. We know that this time of year is often stressful, and we're counting on you to contact your Class Dean, your adviser, Counseling Services, and other student services if you need help.