FIRSTYEAR GUIDE 2016 Bard m
Find It Fast 4
Letter from the Dean of Students
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From the Director Language and Thinking Program Citizen Science
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Note to International Students
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First-Year Summer Checklist
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Academic Calendar
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Good Things to Know Pre-Arrival Traveling to Bard Arrival Day Schedule
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Campus/Student Life
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Academic Life/Resources
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Bard in the World
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Campus Map
©Peter Aaron’68/Esto 3 First-Year Guide
Ba rd
PO Box 5000 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000
Hello and Welcome to Bard! It is a pleasure to be among the many who will welcome you to the Bard College community. You will soon join your classmates in Annandale to participate in the unique, interdisciplinary Language and Thinking Program (L&T). This guide will help you prepare for L&T, arrival day, and your first year at Bard. The Dean of Student Affairs staff is here to support you through all facets of your experiences at Bard. We’ll help you find your path, manage new challenges, understand campus policies and procedures, and connect to resources on and off campus. We meet with students one-on-one, and develop programs and structures for the entire community. No doubt your summer will be filled with packing, saying goodbye to friends, and getting ready to move. Please allow yourself some time for thinking (and perhaps even writing!) about what you would like to learn at Bard—both in and outside of the classroom. Is there a specific topic that you’ve always wanted to explore? Would you like to develop your leadership skills or participate in particular student organizations or activities? Don’t hesitate to talk about these questions with your friends and family and, when you arrive on campus, to share your thoughts with classmates, faculty, and staff. All of us in the Dean of Student Affairs Office are excited that you will be joining us this August, and we look forward to meeting you. This guide includes a list of academic and cocurricular resources, and answers to commonly asked questions. If you have any remaining questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 845-758-7454. I can also be reached via e-mail at nohlgren@bard.edu.
See you in August!
Bethany Nohlgren Dean of Students
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©Pete Mauney‘93 MFA‘00 Guide 5 First-Year
L&T Director’s Letter to the Class of 2020 Dear Students of Language and Thinking, Welcome to the Language and Thinking Program. I want to briefly introduce you to some of the work that we will be doing in August and tell you what you need to do to get ready for it. This year we will be considering a difficult question. What needs to be the case for things to be otherwise? You might begin your preparation for August by getting a notebook and writing that question out. Then, you might go on to think about the question in writing for a few minutes. What is this question really asking? How might you rephrase it? Look again at the individual words and the distinct parts of the question. In your rephrasing of it, did you leave anything out or add anything new? If you know another language, try translating the original question. In your rephrasing or your translation, how did the question change? Write about this too. Throughout our work together in August, we will find this question emerging across texts, disciplines, genres, and art forms. We will read Gertrude Stein on how the arts became otherwise after World War I, and James Gleick on what needed to be the case for chaos theory to emerge in modern physics. We will hear James Baldwin, Etel Adnan, and Ursula Le Guin make the case for migration and exile, and we will argue about revolutions (and their preludes) with Thomas Kuhn, Edmund Burke, Euripides, and Karl Marx. We will hear live performances of music composed by Giacomo Puccini and think through the differences between hearing music, reading about it, and performing it. Our work will take us to poetry readings, film screenings, and philosophy lectures. We will gather around modern sculptures at the Hessel Museum of Art and upon wooded trails alongside the Hudson River. We will write about all of this, as well—sometimes alone, sometimes together, and always in conversation. The second thing you need to do before arriving in August is to purchase and read two books, Jonathan Lear’s Radical Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural Devastation and Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric (see the information below). In Radical Hope, philosopher Jonathan Lear thinks about the extraordinary pressures besieging the Crow people and their chief, Plenty Coups. Confronting the imminent loss of their world, Plenty Coups and the Crow found that the larger meanings that made their lives possible no longer made concrete, practical sense. Even the most ordinary activities like hunting, cooking, and child rearing were abruptly and profoundly thrown into question, as the Crow’s nomadic life suddenly became impossible to defend. Lear calls this the problem of “radical hope.” How do we create and enact hope for the future when the future in question is so unknown, so totally “otherwise” to our sense of the here and now? This same question emerges in Claudia Rankine’s Citizen. Early in her poem, Rankine tells a story about Serena Williams playing at the U.S. Open, where Williams suddenly confronts a new and unreal set of rules, and improvises some defiant changes of her own in response. There are games being played on the court here, but they are far removed from the rules of tennis. Rankine’s applause for Williams echoes Lear’s questions 6
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about hope and the Crow. In very different ways, both Lear and Rankine evoke a creative hope for the future, a hope that is at once palpably rooted in the practical present and yet utterly and unknowably different from it. There are many other points of contact between Lear and Rankine. The third way to prepare for August is to write about some of them. As you read Lear and Rankine, use that same notebook (where you wrote out our question) to record your own questions, thoughts, and impressions about the texts. Try restating Lear’s arguments in your own words. You might also think about the role of dreams in Lear’s book, or you might write about the importance of the Chickadee for philosophy. As for Citizen, try reading Rankine’s verse out loud. Think about how it sounds. You should pay close attention to the images in the book too. Write out what you take Rankine’s arguments to be, and compose a few thoughts of your own in response to them. You might even imagine what a dialogue between Lear and Rankine might look like. I look forward to meeting you in August. Welcome to Bard!
Sincerely,
William Dixon Ph.D. Director, Language and Thinking
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©Peter Aaron’68/Esto 8 First-Year Guide
From the Director of Citizen Science The first-year experience at Bard is designed as an immersive introduction to many modes of human expression—liberal arts and critical thinking across disciplines. It is a foundation for all students as they discover, refine, and pursue their particular area of interest. Citizen Science is aimed at elevating the ability of each student to understand the nature and application both of scientific evidence and quantitative thought. They learn to identify, obtain, and digest the types of scientific evidence needed to make informed decisions about current issues. The program emphasizes skills used by scientists, and their applications. Science and scientific research permeate our society, impacting our daily lives. Citizen Science mirrors what it is to think like a scientist. Throughout the program, students engage with scientific thought from a variety of perspectives. Class time is supplemented by two different lecture series that explore the breadth of possibilities in cutting-edge approaches to critical issues. Weekend workshops demonstrate interdisciplinary applications of scientific knowledge. Finally, all students team teach in science education outreach activities in area K–8 schools. These experiences are many things to many students. While we cannot predict what will resonate with you, we know you will have a truly unique and engaging first-year experience during Citizen Science at Bard College. Amy Savage Director of Citizen Science
A Note to International Students We are excited to welcome you to our international community! Bard students come from more than 60 countries; approximately 70 new international students will join us this fall. We hope that you will share your cultural background with others in the Bard community through classroom discussions, student clubs, leadership projects, and other activities. As you prepare for your arrival in August, think about how you would like to make an impact here. Traveling to the United States and attending college abroad can be challenging on many levels. Over the next few months, we will guide you through this transition and prepare you for your arrival at Bard. Manishkamala Kalupahana International Student Adviser
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Incoming First-Year Summer Checklist Fill out and return the following forms: All forms can be found online at bard.edu/admission/accepted/forms. Athletics and Recreation Profile (if applicable) Disability Registration Form (if applicable) Housing Profile Medical Forms Health Insurance Forms Health Insurance Plan Opt-Out Waiver (if applicable) Parent/Guardian Contact Form
Purchase and read the following Language and Thinking Program texts: Jonathan Lear’s Radical Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural Devastation (ISBN 13: 978-0-674-02746-6 or ISBN 10: 0674027469) Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric (ISBN 13: 978-1555976903 or ISBN 10: 1555976905) The edition matters: rely on the ISBN to be sure you are getting the correct edition. Please read both texts in their entirety and bring both books with you in August. For more information on the Language and Thinking Program, contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office at 845-758-7454 or firstyear@bard.edu.
Log in and begin using your new Bard College e-mail account. Bard is currently transitioning to Google Apps for Education for e-mail. You will receive a letter titled “Your Bard Account” via the Bard Admissions Portal on July 1 that details how to access your Bard e-mail and other digital resources. More information on Bard e-mail can be found at bard.edu/it/email-setup-for-first-year-students; an overview of our computing and technology resources can be found at bard.edu/it/welcome-first-year-students.
Submit your digital student ID photo. Your student ID is your primary identification on campus. Student IDs are used to purchase meals at dining halls, gain access to buildings and events, use library services, and access individual dorm rooms. Please log in to the Student ID Photo Tool website at studentid.bard.edu to review photo requirements and upload your ID photos. If you submit your image by July 15, your ID card will be in your check-in packet upon arrival. Students who do not submit a photo by this deadline will be required to have their photo taken at check-in.
Bard photo ID image requirements: Please make sure that your image adheres to the following requirements. If it does not, you will be contacted by Bard and asked to submit a replacement. All images will be reviewed by Bard College Security and IT staff. • Submit your photo by Friday, July 15, 2016. • The ideal image is a passport-type photo (600px x 600px or larger). • Images should be no smaller than 250px x 250px. • The photo should be a standard color image (no black and white, sepia, or other treatment). • Accepted file types are JPG, JPEG, PNG, and GIF. • The file should not exceed 5Mb in size. • The background should be uniform and a light color. • You must be facing forward, with your head and shoulders clearly visible. • Photos with sunglasses, hats, pets, or props will NOT be accepted.
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Complete the Math Placement Diagnostic. This diagnostic helps us determine which math and science courses would be most appropriate for you. Once you have set up your Bard e-mail account, log in to math.bard.edu/placement to take the diagnostic, which will be available until August 5. Please complete it before you arrive.
Complete CampusClarity’s “Think about It” Program. “Think about It” is an online educational program that addresses the important issues of gender-based misconduct and alcohol/drug awareness. The program link will be sent to your Bard e-mail account in early July. The course must be completed by August 1.
Sign the Bard College Sustainability Pledge. Go to goo.gl/forms/ZcYY8O4UeK to fill out our Sustainability Pledge. Students who complete the form by July 15 will be eligible for a raffle (great prizes, we promise!).
Download the official Bard College First-Year Guidebook app. The app includes the entire Language and Thinking program schedule and important updates and notifications. It is compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and Android devices. Windows Phone 7 and BlackBerry users can access the same information via our mobile site. The Bard College First-Year Guidebook app will be available in late July.
Send us a postcard from home! Every year, incoming students mail the College a postcard from home. It can be store-bought or homemade—get creative! On it, write a message to your fellow first-year students. The cards will be on display during L&T. Consider it your first group installation! Mail the card to: Bard College, Dean of Student Affairs Office, PO Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000. If, by chance, you are somewhere that you can’t mail, e-mail a photo and message to us at firstyear@bard.edu, and we’ll make a postcard for you!
Have questions? E-mail firstyear@bard.edu, or call 845-758-7454. Follow us on Twitter! @firstyearatbard.
Center for Student Life & Advising, Bard College, PO Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000 Telephone: 845-758-7454 | Fax: 845-758-7646 | E-mail: firstyear@bard.edu | Website: bard.edu/csla
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Academic Calendar Summer 2016 August 6, Saturday
Arrival date, financial clearance, and orientation for first-year students
August 8, Monday – August 24, Wednesday
Language and Thinking Program for first-year students
Fall Semester 2016 August 24, Wednesday
Arrival date and financial clearance for transfer students
August 24, Wednesday – August 25, Thursday
Orientation for transfer students
August 25, Thursday – August 26, Friday
Advising and registration for new students
August 27, Saturday
Arrival date and financial clearance for all returning students
August 29, Monday
First day of classes
September 7, Wednesday
Drop/add period ends
September 28, Wednesday
Late drop period ends; pass/fail grading option deadline
October 10, Monday – October 11, Tuesday
Fall break
October 21, Friday
Moderation papers due
October 28, Friday – October 30, Sunday
Family Weekend (see below)
November 18, Friday
Last day to withdraw from a course
November 23, Wednesday (5:00 p.m.) – November 27, Sunday
Thanksgiving recess
December 5, Monday
Senior Projects due for students finishing in December
December 7, Wednesday
Advising day
December 8, Thursday
Course registration opens for spring 2017 semester
December 12, Monday – December 16, Friday
Completion days
December 16, Friday
Last day of classes
December 17, Saturday
All residence halls close at 3:00 p.m.
Intersession December 17, 2016, Saturday – January 27, 2017, Friday
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Winter intersession (no classes for sophomores, juniors, and seniors)
Spring Semester 2017 January 7, Saturday
First-year students return for Citizen Science
January 8, Sunday – January 25, Wednesday
Citizen Science
January 25, Wednesday
Arrival date and financial clearance for new first-year and transfer students
January 26, Thursday – January 27, Friday
Academic orientation, advising, and registration for new first-year and transfer students
January 28, Saturday
Arrival date and financial clearance for all returning students
January 30, Monday
First day of classes
February 8, Wednesday
Drop/add period ends
March 1, Wednesday
Late drop period ends; pass/fail grading option deadline
March 17, Friday
Moderation papers due
March 18, Saturday – March 26, Sunday
Spring recess
May 1, Monday – May 2, Tuesday
Advising days
May 2, Tuesday
Last day to withdraw from a course
May 3, Wednesday
Senior Projects due for students graduating in May
May 11, Thursday
Course registration opens for fall 2017 semester
May 17, Wednesday – May 23, Tuesday
Completion days
May 23, Tuesday
Last day of classes
May 24, Wednesday
All non-graduating students must vacate their residence halls by 3:00 p.m.
May 25, Thursday
Baccalaureate service and Senior Dinner
May 27, Saturday
Commencement
Family Weekend: Save the Date! Bard hosts a Family Weekend every year that features academic and social events for the whole family. This year, Family Weekend will be held October 28–30. Local accommodations fill up quickly, so it’s best to make reservations as soon as possible. For more information on area lodging, see bard.edu/visiting/accommodations.
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Good Things to Know Pre-Arrival What to Bring
Mailing/Shipping
The following items are suggested: bedspread, blankets, extra long–sized twin sheets, mattress pad, towels, toiletries, shower shoes, pillows, flashlight, clothes hangers, laundry detergent and basket, first aid kit (including insect repellent), wattage adapter (for international students), personal computer, surge protectors, wastebasket, recycling basket, desk lamp*, radio, bicycle, and bicycle lock. If you plan to bring a laptop computer, we suggest you also bring a laptop desk lock.
Each student is given a unique mailbox number upon arrival. Student mail should be addressed as follows:
Note: We strongly encourage the use of ENERGY STAR–labeled light bulbs and lamps, which are available at the Bard Bookstore. A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) should last through your four years at Bard; LED bulbs have no mercury and are even more energy efficient than CFLs. A room outfitted with products (lighting, computers, stereos, TVs) that have earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR label can save about $130 per year on energy costs, reduce pollution, and help protect the environment. The following items may be used in residence hall rooms: alarm clock, electric fan, hair dryer, computer, radio, television (rooms do not have cable access), study lamp, and small refrigerator (no more than 3 cubic feet). The College works with a refrigerator rental company that will deliver and pick up for you. For more information, visit nestudentservices.com. The code for Bard is 2341. A representative will be on campus August 6. The following items may only be used in the designated kitchen areas: coffeemaker, clothes iron, popcorn maker, toaster oven, and hot pot. Only UL-approved appliances may be used. The following items are not allowed in any residence hall: exposed coil heaters of any kind, heating pads, microwave ovens, halogen lamps**, portable heaters, and subwoofers. (For more information regarding heaters, please check the Student Handbook at bard.edu/dosa/handbook.) Candles and incense are strictly prohibited. Removing, replacing, or altering furniture or equipment provided by Bard is not permitted. Try to coordinate with your roommate(s) and share appliances when possible. Besides saving energy and money, you’ll have less to move at the end of the year. Remember, simple changes made by many people can multiply into a huge difference for our environment. To pick up items you may have forgotten or find you need once you arrive on campus, you can take the Bard shuttle to local stores and nearby malls. (During the Language and Thinking Program, the shuttle only goes to the mall.) * To find out more about purchasing ENERGY STAR products, visit the ENERGY STAR website at energystar.gov. **Aside from being a fire hazard, halogen lamps use five times more energy than fluorescent lamps.
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Student Name Bard College PO Box 5000 – MSC (insert box number here) Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000 Packages received before the arrival date will be stored. Our shipping department will be open on August 6 for people to pick up their packages. You will receive a notification in your campus mailbox if you have a package. Please mail packages so that they arrive no earlier than July 24, 2016. Packages can be sent to the following address: Student Name – “Incoming First-Year Student” Bard College 30 Campus Road Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000
Renters’ Insurance All students are encouraged to obtain renters’ insurance if they live on campus. While the College does not endorse any specific company, many students have utilized National Student Services: nssi.com.
Cars All students are allowed to bring cars to campus; however, Bard encourages biking and alternative methods of travel as a part of the College’s commitment to sustainability. An annual $200 vehicle registration fee goes toward the Green Fund, which supports campus sustainability projects and scholarships. To register your vehicle online, please visit tools.bard.edu/wstools/webforms/view.php?id=50807. You may pay Student Accounts on the day that you arrive on campus. Please note that students are only allowed to park in designated student parking lots. Bard works with 511NY to maintain a ride-sharing service; students are encouraged to register, whether they have a car or not, at bard.edu/bos/rideshare. Bard has also partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to campus. Visit zipcar.com/bard to learn more about the program and to sign up.
Pets Fish and small caged animals are the only pets that may be approved to live in a residence hall room. A student who wishes to keep a pet must obtain written authorization from the Office of Residence Life and Housing (reslife@bard.edu) prior to bringing the pet to campus.
HUDSON RIVER
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Albany
TACONIC PARKWAY
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Scranton
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Bard College Saw Mill River Parkway
Bard High School Early College
NY STATE THRUWAY
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Longy School of Music of 91 Bard College
Boston
MASS. TURNPIKE
Bard College at Simon’s Rock: The Early College 95
Hartford
Philadelphia
Bard College R I V E R
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H U D S O N
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NY STATE THRUWAY
New York
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Baltimore 209
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Red Hook
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Kingston
TACONIC PARKWAY
Bard Graduate Center
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Exit 19
Arrival Day: Traveling to Bard
Flying
Students are expected to arrive on Saturday, August 6, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Information about where to go once you arrive on campus will be e-mailed to you in late July via your Bard e-mail account. If navigating by GPS, use the following address: 1 North Ravine Road, Red Hook, NY, 12571.
Albany International Airport albanyairport.com Located 60 miles north of Bard, Albany International Airport is the closest airport for travel to the College. You may rent a car at the airport or you can take an Amtrak train from Albany to Rhinecliff (you will need a cab to get to the Albany-Rensselaer station). From the Rhinecliff station it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to campus.
For additional information regarding travel to campus, please see bard.edu/visiting. If you are not planning to drive to Bard, the following information may be helpful.
Train Amtrak amtrak.com Amtrak runs from New York’s Penn Station to the Rhinecliff station and provides the closest train access to Bard, which is 10 minutes away. Metro-North mta.info/mnr Metro-North trains depart from Grand Central Terminal to Poughkeepsie, which is 45 minutes south of the campus, a much longer and more expensive taxi ride. Bard will be running regular shuttles from the Poughkeepsie and Rhinecliff train stations on August 6. You do not need to make a reservation for the shuttle service.
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Stewart International Airport panynj.gov/airports/stewart.html Stewart is 50 miles south of campus in Newburgh, New York, but there is no train connection and the number of carriers is limited. We do not recommend flying to Stewart unless you and your family will be renting a car. JFK, LaGuardia, Newark The major New York City airports all have public transportation into New York City (bus, taxi, and subway for JFK) and to both train stations: Grand Central Terminal (Metro-North Railroad) and Penn Station (Amtrak). The following websites may be helpful when making your travel arrangements: John F. Kennedy International Airport: panynj.gov/airports/ jfk.html LaGuardia Airport: panynj.gov/airports/laguardia.html Newark Liberty International Airport: panynj.gov/airports/ newark-liberty.html NYC Bus and Subway System: mta.info/nyct Grand Central Station: grandcentralterminal.com Penn Station: infofornyc.com/travel/penn_station_new_york.html
Arrival Day Schedule 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Arrival and Check-In Residence Halls and Bertelsmann Campus Center Check-in is a two-step process: new students will check in at both the Bertelsmann Campus Center and their residence hall. Students whose last names begin with the letters A–L should proceed directly to the Campus Center when they arrive on campus. Students with last names beginning with M–Z should proceed directly to their residence hall.
11:00 AM & 12:00 PM
Tours of Campus Leave from Admission Office, Hopson Cottage Families are invited to take a tour of the campus and learn more about the College. Tours last about an hour and a half.
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Lunch Kline Dining Commons Tickets are available in Kline or the Bertelsmann Campus Center. Lunch is free for first-year students; $10 a ticket for friends and family.
12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Trustee Leader Scholars Bertelsmann Campus Center Trustee Leader Scholars are students who design, organize, and implement social action projects in communities locally and around the world. Students can start their own project or join an already established project.
12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Bard Learning Commons Bard Learning Commons, Stone Row Basement Bard Learning Commons gives students the chance to learn collaboratively with peers through academic workshops, drop-in and subject tutoring, study rooms, and the Writing Fellows program. The Learning Commons offers time management and study skills workshops; provides academic assistance for students with disabilities; and leads credit-bearing courses in writing, public speaking, mathematics, and English for non-native speakers.
12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Bard College Farm Bard College Farm The Bard College Farm grew out of a student-led initiative to develop a more sustainable food system at the College. Many students work at the farm, and much of the produce is used in our on-campus dining facilities. Stop by and see what’s growing.
12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Library Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Library Come meet our research librarians and get a tour of the Stevenson Library and its rich resources.
12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Center for Civic Engagement Center for Civic Engagement, Ward Manor Gatehouse The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) sponsors lectures, conferences, and workshops; and facilitates undergraduate fellowships that reinforce the links between education, democracy, and citizenship. Stop by and learn how CCE shapes the intellectual and professional trajectories of Bard undergraduates and graduates.
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12:00–2:30 PM
Open House: Difference and Media Project Albee Annex Basement The Difference and Media Project encourages all students to think expansively about race, gender, sexualities, religion, class, culture, and new modes of inquiry about these and other categories. Learn about our fall semester plans and how to get involved.
1:30–2:30 PM
Open House: Athletics and Recreation Stevenson Athletic Center Meet members of the Bard Athletics and Recreation staff and tour the Stevenson Athletic Center. Learn about Bard’s various athletic facilities, fitness programs, and recreational sports opportunities.
3:00–4:00 PM
Q&A Session for Parents and Friends: “One Last Question before We Part” Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Sosnoff Theater Members of the Center for Student Life and Advising and the Office of Residence Life and Housing answer last-minute questions.
4:00–5:00 PM
President Botstein Welcomes Parents and Friends of the Class of 2020 Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Sosnoff Theater
5:00–6:00 PM*
Residence Hall Gathering Your Residence Hall New students gather together to meet their Peer Counselors (PCs) and other members of their residence hall community. PCs will also take students to the Opening Dinner and Welcome.
6:00 PM*
Opening Dinner and Welcome Ludlow Lawn (rain location: Kline Commons) First-Year students are invited to join their Peer Counselors and other members of the Bard community for a welcome dinner.
7:30 PM*
Orientation Program: Residence Hall Meetings Your Residence Hall Residence Life staff and your Peer Counselor will introduce you to your new residential community and discuss community expectations.
* Mandatory event for first-year students Please note: Many of the open houses are scheduled at the same time, so you may not be able to attend all the sessions that interest you. We will provide other opportunities for you to learn about these programs.
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Campus/Student Life Banking
Computers/Computer Labs
During the Language and Thinking Program (and throughout the semester) there will be shuttles to Red Hook, where you can open a local bank account. There are two ATMs on campus. One is owned by KeyBank and the other by Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union. Bank of America 1343 Ulster Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401 and 239 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477, 800-432-1000 KeyBank Campus Center ATM and 28 West Market St., Red Hook, NY 12571, 845-758-2311 M&T Bank 7280 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, 845-758-8811 Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union 7472 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, 845-336-4444 Rhinebeck Bank 7350 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, 845-758-1500 Ulster Savings Bank 7296 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, 845-758-4020
Bard has more than 250 public access computers available for use on campus. These computers are located in the Bertelsmann Campus Center, Stevenson Library, Henderson Computer Resources Center and Annex, and Jim Ottaway Film Center (Avery). Many students choose to bring a computer to campus. All residence hall rooms have WiFi. Given their portability, unmonitored laptops are easy targets for theft; students are encouraged to register laptops with homeowners/renters insurance, and are advised not to leave laptops unattended. The College does not recommend any one computer type or brand. Both PCs and Macs are supported. However, students interested in the Film and Electronic Arts Program tend to use Macs for their editing capability.
Biking Many students choose to get around our campus by bike. If you are interested in renting a bike, Bard has partnered with Revolution Bikes to provide students with alternative options to bike ownership. For additional information, please visit revolutionbikesny.com.
Bookstore The campus bookstore is owned by Barnes and Noble. Declining balance accounts can be set up through our Student Accounts Office on arrival day; students can then use their school ID card to purchase items in the bookstore. Families might also choose to purchase a Barnes and Noble reloadable gift card. The bookstore accepts all major credit cards and cash.
Campus Shuttles/Transportation During the semester a free shuttle operates seven days a week through Tivoli, the Bard campus, and Red Hook. Shuttles to the local train stations operate on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Shuttles to the Hudson Valley Mall operate on Wednesday and Saturday. During school breaks and at the end of the semester, there are shuttles from campus to JFK, LaGuardia, and Albany airports for a $30 fee. (Please note: due to myriad return possibilities, shuttles are not available for returns from the airport.) We encourage the use of public transportation, and Bard provides shuttles to/from the Poughkeepsie and Rhinecliff train stations at no cost. For further information, please visit the Transportation Department website at blogs.bard.edu/transportation.
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Family Visits and Guests Students are encouraged to invite their families to visit campus at any time. Students are allowed to have overnight guests as long as they have discussed it with their roommate(s). All guests must be registered with the Safety and Security Office, where they will receive a guest pass for the entirety of their stay. Advanced notice is not necessary; just bring your guest and their ID to the Safety and Security Office.
Meal Plan/Dining Services Bard Dining dineoncampus.com/bard All students living on campus are required to be on one of six meal plans. For incoming first-year students, the meal plan is set at 19 meals a week (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monday through Friday; brunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday). After the first semester, students may change their plan to a 265-meal block plan. All meal plans are of equal cost. Bard Dining offers a variety of cuisines, and vegan and vegetarian options are available at every meal.
Bard EATS/Food Sustainability bard.edu/bardeats Bard’s sustainable food initiatives are guided by Bard EATS (Eating Awareness Transforms Society), a collaborative effort by Bard students, dining services, faculty, and staff to increase food purchasing transparency, reduce waste, decrease the College’s carbon footprint, promote food access, and support local farms and sustainable products. The Bard EATS logo is used by Bard Dining to showcase local and/or sustainable menu options.
Bard College Farm bardfarm.org Creating a connection between students and their food is the central mission of the Bard College Farm, a 1.25-acre sustainable urban farm located on campus. Since the farm’s creation in 2012, more than 80 students have worked to produce 60,000-plus pounds of fresh food for the campus dining halls.
vehicle registration and parking enforcement, policy violation investigations, and campus crime and fire safety reporting. The office also works with Bard’s EMS and with local law enforcement when necessary and possible. More information regarding the office, policies, emergency services, and contact information can be found at bard.edu/security.
Title IX Coordination/Gender Equity Residence Halls
Bard Doesn’t Discriminate
Intersession Use
Bard College is committed to ensuring equal access to its educational programs and equal employment without regard to an individual’s sex, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, ex-offender status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Students, employees, applicants, and other members of the Bard College community shall not be subject to discrimination or harassment prohibited by law or otherwise treated adversely based upon a protected characteristic.
During intersession, Upper College residence halls are typically used for conferences and groups, Citizen Science faculty, and Bard student athletes and other students in need of on-campus accommodations. Generally, students will not be allowed to remain in their rooms over intersession. Students will be notified in advance of the plans for use of their rooms. First-year students will live in their own rooms during Citizen Science. First-year students should plan to be on campus for the start of Citizen Science on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
Laundry Facilities Most residence halls are equipped with coin-operated washers and dryers. If there is no laundry facility in a residence, one is available within a short walking distance.
Phones We do not have phones in individual residence hall rooms. All residence halls have phones in the hallway for emergency use, local calls, or calling-card calls. Calling cards can be purchased in the campus bookstore. Most students have cell phones. Check with your cellular provider to find out about availability of service in the Hudson Valley. On campus, many students use Verizon or AT&T, which have offices in nearby Kingston. AT&T offers a special discount to Bard students. AT&T 1137 Ulster Ave., Kingston, NY 12401, 845-336-0710, college code: 2529324 Verizon Wireless 1200 Ulster Ave., Kingston, NY 12401, 845-853-7351
Safety and Security The College employs New York State–certified security guards who provide coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Emergency dispatch services assist with safety and security concerns as well as emergency management and policy enforcement. Additionally, the Office of Safety and Security provides the following services: emergency notifications and response, emergency phones (yellow phones and blue-light phones throughout campus), security/community bike patrols, medical transports (as approved through Health Services),
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Bard Acts The College will not tolerate harassing, violent, intimidating, or discriminatory conduct by its students, employees, or any other member of, or visitor to, the College community. This includes, without limitation, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, dating violence, and domestic violence.
Bard Cares Bard College and its affiliated programs are committed to providing a learning environment free from sexual and gender-based harassment, discrimination, and assault (gender-based misconduct). Bard College is committed to preventing, responding to, and remedying occurrences of gender-based misconduct.
Bard Listens Any member of the community who wishes to file a report for gender-based misconduct may do so by contacting Linda Goldsberry Morgan, J.D., our Title IX Administrator, who can discuss options for reporting and provide information on other resources that offer support and assistance. Reports can be submitted to the Title IX Administrator by phone at 845-7587542, by e-mail at titleix@bard.edu, through Campus Mail (Office for Gender Equity), or by using the online reporting system at tinyurl.com/BardIncidentReport. Bard College strongly recommends reading its entire gender-based misconduct policy, which includes information on its investigative process and the Student Bill of Rights. You can find the policy, FAQs, and other resources at bard.edu/titleix.
Academic Life / Resources Academic Advising and Course Registration For their first semester, students meet with an academic adviser and register for courses on Thursday, August 25, and Friday, August 26. During this time they will have the opportunity to meet with and talk to faculty about specific courses and registration procedures. After the fall semester, students participate in online registration.
Overview of Academic Advising All members of the faculty serve as academic advisers. Students meet with their advisers throughout the academic year to design plans of study suited to their academic interests, select classes, find opportunities outside of the curriculum to explore their interests, and discuss their adjustment to the demands of college work. First-year students meet with their advisers and register for fall semester classes during the final week of L&T. They participate in group advising sessions, which provide them the opportunity to meet faculty and other students who share their academic interests; and in individual advising sessions, in which they work with their advisers to craft programs of study for the fall term. Advisers are also available in the first weeks of the fall term to help students finalize their programs of study and throughout the fall to help them settle into the semester.
Structure of the First Year All first-year students participate in a common curriculum— the Language and Thinking Program, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science—and take elective courses. The Language and Thinking Program is an intensive introduction to the liberal arts and sciences with a particular focus on writing. It is attended by all incoming Bard students during the last three weeks of August. Students read extensively, work on a variety of projects in writing and other formats, and meet throughout the day in small groups and in one-on-one conferences with faculty. The work aims to cultivate habits of thoughtful reading and discussion, clear articulation, accurate self-critique, and productive collaboration. Students who fail to complete the program successfully must defer enrollment for a full academic year. First-Year Seminar: “What Is Freedom? Dialogues Ancient and Modern” To raise the question “What is freedom?” could hardly be more necessary today. Why have so many people in so many times and places identified freedom as a self-evident value, but then excluded many around them from its benefits? How have different civilizations defined freedom at different times? What does freedom mean in a democracy, an empire, a totalitarian regime? How do we understand the difference between “freedom to” and “freedom from,” between rights and responsibilities? These are just some of the questions addressed in the First-Year Seminar. In the fall semester, we
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ask: “What is political freedom?” Texts include works by thinkers from Socrates to Gandhi and Hannah Arendt. In the spring, we consider “What is personal freedom?” in the company of authors including Aristotle, James Joyce, and Malcolm X. By studying these texts, discussing their ideas in small seminars, and writing critical papers on them, students establish a foundation for their learning experience at the College and acquire a shared basis for conversation with fellow students, faculty members, and the world beyond. Citizen Science, a two-and-a-half-week program that takes place during the January intersession, seeks to promote science literacy and introduce first-year students to methods of evaluating scientific evidence. Teaching occurs in three distinct classroom modules: laboratory experimentation, computer-based strategies, and problem-based learning. For the past six years, the program has focused on the critical theme of infectious disease and the impact that infectious disease outbreaks and subsequent management can have on global society. Satisfactory completion of the program is required for graduation from the College. First-Year Electives allow students to explore fields in which they know they are interested and to experiment with unfamiliar areas of study. Students select three elective courses in each semester of the first year (the fourth course is the First-Year Seminar). For more information about Bard’s curriculum, programs, and concentrations, see the Bard College Catalogue or go to bard.edu/undergraduate/curriculum. For information about college-wide and program-specific requirements for moderation and graduation, please see the Guide to Academic Programs and Concentrations, available at inside.bard.edu/ academic/courses/advising.
Bard Learning Commons The Bard Learning Commons provides academic support through peer tutoring in writing and English Language Learning, as well as on-request tutoring in all subjects offered at the College; support for the Math Placement Diagnostic; and academic and skills workshops and courses throughout the school year. Additionally, the Learning Commons will be open during the Language and Thinking Program to provide peer tutoring in writing and writing tutoring for students whose second language is English. For more information about the resources available, please visit bard.edu/learningcommons.
Beginning of Term Classes for the fall semester begin Monday, August 29. All accounts must be current in order for students to be cleared for fall registration. Please contact Student Accounts if you have any questions regarding financial clearance.
Procedure for Registering as a Student with a Disability Students who claim learning, psychological, or physical disabilities should register with Disability Services upon admission or as soon as the diagnosis of disability is made. The student will be asked to complete the disability registration form and present documentation that verifies the disability, details the impact of the disability, and provides suggested accommodations to mitigate the impact. Registration forms are available at bard.edu/admission/accepted/forms. Disability accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Students meet with the Disability Support Coordinator to review documentation and develop an appropriate and reasonable accommodation plan for the classes being taken that term. Meetings may also take place periodically throughout the semester to assess the efficacy of the accommodations being provided. The Disability Support Coordinator (located on the second floor of the library) provides registered students with letters outlining their approved accommodation plan, which students then present to faculty. The student is responsible for meeting with the instructor to review the contents of the letter and for arranging particular in-class accommodations. The coordinator is available to help facilitate the logistics of particular accommodations, when necessary.
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The particular accommodations afforded a student will be determined jointly by the student and the Disability Support Coordinator through a dynamic process that includes professional recommendations, student history, and current academic requirements. What is considered appropriate for one student may not be considered appropriate for another student. The College reserves the right to refuse particular accommodations if other accommodations will serve the student’s needs equally as well and place less of a burden on the College.
Study Abroad Bard offers its students a wide range of opportunities to engage in international dialogue, both on campus and abroad. The College believes that such engagement is critical to a liberal arts education and global citizenship. A significant percentage of Bard undergraduates participate in at least one international program. Some students spend a year, a term, or a summer studying abroad. Others work with leading international organizations or on social action projects outside the United States. Study abroad options include integrated programs at Bard partner institutions in Germany, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and the West Bank; exchange programs with institutions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America; and language intensives and immersion programs. To learn more about Bard’s international partnerships and study opportunities, see bard.edu/bardabroad.
Useful Academic Websites
Useful Campus/Student Life Websites
Bard College Conservatory of Music bard.edu/conservatory Bard First-Year Dean bard.edu/firstyear Bard Learning Commons bard.edu/learningcommons Center for Student Life and Advising bard.edu/csla Citizen Science citizenscience.bard.edu Computing at Bard bard.edu/it Course List inside.bard.edu/academic/courses/current Dean of the College bard.edu/doc Dean of Studies inside.bard.edu/deanofstudies Faculty bard.edu/faculty First-Year Seminar bard.edu/fysem Inside Bard bard.edu/inside Language and Thinking Program languageandthinking.bard.edu Library bard.edu/library Other Study and Research Opportunities bard.edu/ academics/additional Registrar’s Office inside.bard.edu/academic/courses/registrar Student Accounts bard.edu/studentaccounts 3+2 and Dual-Degree Programs bard.edu/academics/3+2
Athletics and Recreation bardathletics.com Campus Housing, Dining, and Facilities bard.edu/ campus/reslife Center for Civic Engagement bard.edu/cce Chaplaincy bard.edu/chaplaincy Counseling Services bard.edu/counseling Dean of Student Affairs Office bard.edu/dosa Dining on Campus dineoncampus.com/bard Events Calendar bard.edu/news/events Health Services bard.edu/healthservices International Students bard.edu/international Multicultural Affairs barddmp.tumblr.com Residence Life bard.edu/reslife Safety and Security bard.edu/security Student Activities studentactivities.bard.edu Sustainability at Bard bard.edu/sustainability Title IX bard.edu/titleix Trustee Leader Scholar Program bard.edu/tls
First-Year Guide
Bard in the World Numerous institutes for special study, both on and off campus, connect Bard students to the greater community—and the world. Undergraduate students can take advantage of Bard’s network of partner programs, from New Orleans to Budapest, and from graduate programs to prison education initiatives. For a comprehensive list of affiliated programs and institutes, please visit bard.edu/network. Al-Quds Bard bard.edu/bardabroad/aqb American University of Central Asia bard.edu/bardabroad/auca Bard College Berlin bard.edu/bardabroad/berlin Bard Early Colleges bard.edu/earlycollege Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program bard.edu/bgia Bard Prison Initiative bpi.bard.edu Central European University in Budapest bard.edu/bardabroad/ceu Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, St. Petersburg State University (Smolny College) smolny.bard.edu Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities hac.bard.edu Human Rights Project hrp.bard.edu Graduate Programs bard.edu/graduate Levy Economics Institute levyinstitute.org Rift Valley Institute riftvalley.net
Important Contact Info New-Student Website bard.edu/firstyear 845-758-7454 | firstyear@bard.edu
Office of Residence Life and Housing bard.edu/reslife 845-758-7455 | reslife@bard.edu
Center for Student Life and Advising bard.edu/csla 845-758-7454 | csla@bard.edu
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Campus Map Achebe House (offices) Administrative Offices (Ludlow) Admission (Hopson Cottage) Albee (classrooms and offices) Alumni Houses (residence halls) Bluecher, Bourne, Honey, Leonard, Obreshkove, Rovere, Rueger, Shafer, Shelov, Steinway, Wolff Annandale Hotel (Publications and Public Relations Offices) Anne Cox Chambers Alumni/ae Center (Alumni/ae and Development; Bard MAT) Aspinwall (classrooms and faculty offices) Bard Center for Environmental Policy (Bard CEP) (Hegeman Hall) Bard College Farm Bard College Field Station Bard Community Children’s Center Bard Educational Opportunity Programs (BEOP) (Stone Row) Bard Hall (recital space) Barringer House (Institute for Writing and Thinking) Bertelsmann Campus Center Blithewood (Levy Economics Institute) Bookstore (Bertelsmann) Brook House (residence hall) Buildings and Grounds Career Development Office (Bertelsmann) Carriage House (Central Services) Center for Civic Engagement (Ward Manor Gatehouse) Center for Curatorial Studies (CCS Bard) Center for Moving Image Arts (Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center) Center for Spiritual Life (Resnick Commons A) Center for Student Life and Advising (Sottery Hall) Chapel of the Holy Innocents Community Garden Cruger Village (residence halls) Bartlett, Cruger, Keen North, Keen South, Maple, Mulberry, Oberholzer, Sawkill, Spruce, Stephens, Sycamore Edith C. Blum Institute (Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center) Fairbairn (see Warden’s Hall) Feitler House (residence hall) Financial Aid Office (Buildings and Grounds) Finberg House (residence) Fisher Annex (MFA Office) Fisher Studio Arts Building Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation Gahagan House (Title IX/Gender Equity) Griffiths House (John Cage Trust) Hannah Arendt Center (McCarthy House) Health and Counseling (Robbins House) Hegeman Hall (classrooms, offices, Bard CEP, Rift Valley Institute, La Voz Henderson Computer Resources Center and Technology Laboratories (Annex) Hessel Museum of Art Hirsch Hall (residence hall) Honey Field Hopson (see Warden’s Hall) 23
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Hopson Cottage (Admission Office) Institute for International Liberal Education (IILE) (Jim and Mary Ottaway Gatehouse for International Study) Institute for Writing and Thinking (Barringer House) Jim Ottaway Jr. Film Center (Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center) Jim and Mary Ottaway Gatehouse for International Study (IILE) Kline Commons (dining) László Z. Bitó ’60 Auditorium László Z. Bitó ’60 Conservatory Building Learning Commons (Stone Row) Levy Economics Institute (Blithewood) Library (Stevenson, Hoffman, Kellogg) Lorenzo Ferrari Field Complex Ludlow (administrative offices) Lynda and Stewart Resnick Science Laboratories Manor Annex (residence hall) Manor House Café Meditation Garden Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center Montgomery Place Campus (mansion, Coach House, Greenhouse, Squash Court) Music Practice Rooms Nursery School (Abigail Lundquist Botstein Nursery School) Old Gym (Security Office) Olin Humanities Building, Auditorium, and Language Center parliament of reality, the President’s House Preston Hall (classrooms, offices) Residence Life and Housing (Shea House) Resnick Commons (residence halls) Brown, McCausland, Resnick Commons A-L Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts Robbins House (residence hall, Health Center) Rose Laboratories Sands House (residence hall) Security Office (Old Gym) Seth Goldfine Memorial Rugby Field Seymour (see Warden’s Hall) Shea House (Residence Life and Housing) Shafer House (Written Arts) Shipping and Receiving (Buildings and Grounds) Sottery Hall (Center for Student Life and Advising) South Hall (residence hall) Stevenson Athletic Center Stone Row (Learning Commons, BEOP, residence halls) North Hoffman, South Hoffman, McVickar, Potter Student Accounts (Buildings and Grounds) Tewksbury Hall (residence hall) Tremblay Hall (residence hall) Ward Manor (residence, Bard Music Festival Office) Ward Manor Gatehouse (Center for Civic Engagement) Warden’s Hall (faculty offices, residences) Fairbairn, Hopson, Seymour Weis Cinema (Bertelsmann) Woods Studio (Photography)
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