Weather Update
Due to the storm, Barnard College closed at 4pm Friday, for non-essential personnel. “Essential personnel" include staff in Facilities, Public Safety and Residence Halls.
Friday evening and weekend classes are cancelled but events are going forward as planned unless otherwise noted. The Athena Film Festival programs are also scheduled to go forward as planned but please check http://athenafilmfestival.com/ for the latest information.
The Barnard Library and Archives closed at 4pm Friday and will remain closed on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Library will resume regular hours on Sunday opening at 10am.
Please be advised that due to the conditions, certain entrances to campus may be closed. The main gate at 117th Street & Broadway will remain open. For further updates on college operations, please check this website, call the College Emergency Information Line 212-854-1002 or check AM radio station 1010WINS.
3:12 PM 02/08/2013
VISP-Specific Resources
When they first arrive on campus, VISP students will participate in a special track of Barnard’s New Student Orientation Program that will integrate them into campus life, introduce them to other new students at Barnard and also address concerns and questions specific to VISP. The VISP Extended Orientation Program follows Barnard’s general New Student Orientation Program, adding additional sessions throughout the spring semester to help VISP students adjust to life at Barnard. These events include:
Welcome meeting specifically for VISP students
Individual Advising Appointments with a faculty member or academic dean
Sessions on American Culture, Culture Shock, American Slang and Colloquial English
Sessions on Public Speaking, Writing Papers, Study Skills
Barnard Reach Out (BRO)— VISP students will be eligible to participate in a variety of community service projects on the final day of NSOP. This is a great way to start becoming familiar with various neighborhoods in New York City, to get to know other visiting students, and to meet other Barnard students and faculty/staff. The program is modeled on Barnard’s well-known programs for first-year and transfer students during fall Orientation.
Prior to coming to Barnard, VISP students will be matched with a Visiting International Student Ambassador (VISA), a current Barnard student interested in introducing VISP students to the Barnard campus, to the University, and to New York. Ambassadors will be matched for the entire semester, and are available to the incoming students before the semester begins, to answer questions and give advice.
All VISP students will also be assigned a full-time faculty member to assist them in choosing and signing up for courses when they arrive.
All VISP students are eligible to take an American Language Course through Columbia’s ALP. Placement will be determined upon arrival; depending on TOEFL/IELTS scores, some students may be required to take a course through ALP.
Throughout the semester, VISP students will have the option of participating in:
- Monthly food and cultural festivals sponsored by VISP students from different countries, in collaboration with various Barnard offices and student cultural groups
- Sporting/Cultural Events on and off-campus
- And much more!
General Campus Resources
VISP students have access to the same services and support as all Barnard students, including but not limited to:
Academic Support Services: Academic support is available to all VISP students via the Academic Support Services Center.
Computing and Email at Barnard
