Thanks for your thoughtful response. While It is possible that other universities have similar policies to Barnard, Columbia University, which is an academic partner with Barnard (Barnard grads’ diplomas read 'Barnard College of Columbia University" does in fact allow their students to remain in student housing during winter break, and, Columbia allowed their students who worked on the school newspaper to move in early into their student housing. Barnard did allow ‘some’ students to move in early before fall term, just not my daughter. So from our standpoint, what we were asking was not all that unusual or even impossible for Barnard to accommodate.
And, in years past, Barnard did in fact allow students to stay in student housing during winter break - the problem started last month when Barnard announced a change in their past policy and stated they would shut down all housing during this upcoming winter break, telling students to find a couch, with such short notice.
There might be lots of listings for housing through sites like AirBnb, however, that comes at an additional cost. Columbia charges less for student housing than Barnard, and, allows students at Columbia to stay in student housing during winter break, at no extra charge. Many students can not afford additional winter break housing - we’re talking about nearly three weeks.
Columbia policies and Barnard policies differ on a lot of things. Columbia has a much larger student body overall, including a large population of graduate students, and much deeper pockets. A decision as to whether to keep dorms open is ultimately a financial one: does the number of students who use housing during break periods justify the cost for staffing and maintenance - and power and heating. How much do you suppose it costs to keep buildings in the quad heated during winter months? What would your view be if the dorms at Barnard were kept open but left unheated over break?
There are also obviously significant security concerns as well as liability issues. Would you be comfortable if the dorms were kept open but unstaffed – no doorman to control access, no RA or other staff to assist a student who became ill?
I also think you are misrepresenting Barnard’s position, because I think they do make accommodations for international students and students on financial aid. In other posts you’ve complained about Barnard’s annual costs and fees… so it sounds like you are full pay. If I’m mistaken, I’m sorry – but I’m a little puzzled as to why your daughter is choosing to remain on campus over winter break. My DD couldn’t leave fast enough-- she was on the first plane out as soon as she had finished her last exam. Of course we are west coasters, so weather might have been a factor.
But anyway – I’m not debating whether your daughter has the right to stay in NY during that period – of course she does --I am just questioning the assumption that the college is required to provide housing over a long break periods, at no extra cost.
The fees charged for housing are based on occupancy while school is in session. Would you favor an increase in dorm fees overall to cover the costs of keeping the dorms open over winter break? Bottom line, you’ve paid for a certain number of days occupancy – sticking around for winter break is adding on extra days.
Also,although you claim that there was a sudden change of policy - I can see that the Barnard web site clearly states that the residence halls are closed during winter break.
I can see that the policy changed somewhat from the previous year – but it is hardly the “short notice” you are complaining of. The policy obviously was in place before the current year’s room contracts were signed.
Again, it is valid point that parents and students should consider housing policies when choosing a college – not just when dorms are open, but the whole package. Is a meal plan required? Is housing guaranteed for four years? etc.
But it’s common practice for colleges to close their residence halls over extended break periods - so that is also something that parents and students need to check out well in advance of making whatever plans they have for those time frames.
I agree with Calmom. I’m also not certain why this particular parent is taking to College Confidential to air this grievance. What Columbia, or NYU, or Princeton may do is immaterial. Barnard’s policy is well known. All students are aware of it. Other students do find housing in the city and it is simply nonsense to say that the college’s “attitude” was putting your child at risk. What is happening is that you want the college to change its policies to suit your daughter.
I can also comment on international students and financial aid. The financial aid program at Barnard is excellent and they have offered every assistance. It easily matches what members of my family have received at other Ivy Group universities. Barnard is expensive, but you knew that before your child enrolled.
It is said that you are using this forum to try to dissuade others from attending Barnard. I find that to be very dubious, especially since you have not provided a unbiased, or even accurate, portrayal of Barnard’s housing policy.
Again, I do think it’s a valid point that students and parents need to consider these issues in advance of selecting a college – whether it is the issue of the availability and cost of housing during breaks, or the transportation costs of travel to & from college. It’s a factor to take into account when choosing any college that is distant from the family home, whether it is a college that requires a cross-country flight or one that requires an 8 hour drive. And that also means considering how often the student plans to come home. Spring break? Thanksgiving? etc.
It’s just a mistake to cast the issue in term of something wrong with the college-- as opposed to the issue of failure to adequately plan ahead on the part of the parent or student. @Truth12 wrote an excellent post here - http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18992132/#Comment_18992132 – on the topic of “Checklist for Parents of Incoming Freshman” - so obviously s/he is fully capable of thinking about a wide variety of issues in advance - and certainly checking into housing policies is one more thing to add to that list. (Oddly enough, it wasn’t included - instead in that post there is praise for Barnards’ provision of “air conditioned coach buses that took us to and from Bed Bath and Beyond, multiple times”.)
Thanks to everyone who has posted their comments and opinions. That is the value of this website - providing a forum for open and lively discussion. My daughter did not plan to stay at Barnard over winter break, so the change in winter housing policy did not affect her or us personally. However, just because the change did not affect us personally, does not mean we ignore or fail to see the unfairness of the change as it affects other students.
If you read the articles in the Daily Spec, you will learn what the students’ objections were. Our problem involved housing between the time summer housing ended and before fall term started, and the unequal treatment in terms of who was allowed to move in early and who was not. We’ll be taking care of that issue on our own.
Whether or not individuals choose to attend Barnard, or any other college, is his/her own personal choice. I shared some of our experiences with Barnard to let others know about these issues. With a student body of about 2,400, I am confident that we are not the only ones with these issues and concerns.
Again, the winter housing issue does not personally affect my daughter - but it affected enough Barnard students that their petition garnered in excess of 1,800 signatures on a petition requesting Barnard administrators re-think and revise their change to winter housing policy. (The 1,800 figure is from a recent Daily Spectator article).
If your child attends Barnard and is perfectly happy there, that is terrific and I’m happy for all of you.
@Truth12- The student activism regarding housing accommodations and fees is one which, I suspect you know, is being taken up by students at NYU as well.
There is a group there, SLAM, which is calling on NYU to be (among other issues) more transparent about the bottom line of housing costs for students and have that bottom line be in keeping with the understood fees and costs that families had upon placing deposits for enrollment. That group has as a sort of emblematic “face” the issues and images of one student from India who is described in articles as a student-debt organizer.
I suspect we will see more such activism and calls for re-examination of the cost of attendance, fees and manner in which student and EFC is expected to be met.
@calmom: Nicely laid out information and commentary. Thanks.
Student newspapers are a good way to get a sense of the issues that concern students, but you need to also view that stuff with a healthy grain of salt. There will always be something for students to complain of, without exception, at any university large enough to support a critical mass of student journalists. And any change in university policy is going to generate controversy.
That’s not a Barnard-thing. It’s an any-University thing. There certainly were plenty of Spec articles expressing outrage of some policy or another at the hands of the Columbia administration while my d. was at Barnard, feeling smug whenever the issue du jour didn’t impact her.
According to CC threads last year, ED applicants heard back on 12/11 (the second Thursday in December). If they follow that pattern, we might hear back as early as 12/10!
Also, even if it is a little late in the game, I am also an ED applicant to Barnard. I am in love with the school and the wonderful body of individuals that attend it. Needless to say, I would love to call Barnard my home for the upcoming years.
I want to major in Film and Philosophy and then go on to do documentary filmmaking. Philosophy’s still tentative and I might change it for History, but I still have time to change my mind, so I’m not really worrying over that.
I am interested in learning and meeting all of you, you all sound incredible and it would be awesome for all of us to attend Barnard next year. More specifically, I love to cook vegan food, be a feminist voice in my community, hang out at cafes and meet cool strangers who always teach me something, and exploring.
Hey everyone!
I know I’m a little late, but I am also an early decision applicant to Barnard College. Barnard has been my dream school for as long as I can remember, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to call it home for the next 4 years.
I want to major in Anthropology, along with completing the requirements for medical school. I play volleyball and I plan to pursue it with club or as an intramural. Something I’m most excited about is being able to branch out and try as many new things as I possibly can. I wrote in one of my essays that, “I’ve learned that I get along the best with people who have passion for what they do and are willing to share their passion with me.” All of you seem so passionate about the things you love, and I can’t wait to learn as much as I can, in addition to meeting some amazing women.
Other fun facts about me:
I love winter, and one of my favorite activities is curling up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a group of new friends. Cooking is always a skill I’ve been interested in, but I’m still not very good at it! I love exploring and finding hidden places (NYC is the perfect place for this).
Can’t wait to meet all of you! Good luck!
@mrnwkl omg we are so similar it’s a little freaky!! i’m applying to Barnard ED too! crazy to think we’ll all know what happens in at the most two weeks!
@teenwitch I’m Barnard RD but I’m really hoping that all the ED girls on this thread get in! As for fun: what are all of you’re favorite TVshows/the TV shows you binge-watched recently. Thanksgiving break I binged Jessica Jones and How to Get Away With Murder and I LOVED both. Jessica Jones has to be one of my favorite shows now.
I’ve been suffering from silent thread stalker syndrome, so I thought I’d finally make an account. Hey, guys!! Ah, I’m so nervous/excited for decisions to be released! Every time I realize how close mid-December is, I get mini heart palpitations and marvel at the fact that time has been passing far quicker than I imagined. Mid-December felt so far away when I first submitted and now alsdkfjals.
I first heard about Barnard from a retired professor, and after I visited, everything basically clicked. Part of me probably agreed to living in a dusty basement if it meant studying there at that point, to be honest. I want to major in Women’s Studies and perhaps study law as well. I adore cooking/baking (hey, @BlueMoon6793), all that is Wes Anderson’s creative style… and tomato basil soup.
Anyway, fingers crossed that things work out for everyone in a couple of weeks!! You guys seem so wonderful, and I really hope we all end up sharing the same campus come freshman year!
hey gals!!! i love carrot cake, baking, baking carrot cake, and cheesy tv shows (scream queens???). i also have luuuved barnard forever and i just wanna know. i totally know what you’re talking about @blooberries honestly where has the damn time gone since we submitted?! i really like psychology as a potential major, but to be honest i’m open to so much! i really hope that it works out for us all!!!
