Real mature

A source close to Professor Ellsberg has informed us that the majority of students suspected of cheating in the so-called “Barnard Cheating Scandal” are actually men and women from Columbia College.  Of the 123 students, only around a fifth of the students have been specifically marked out as having cheated–and Ellsberg has a list of names.

Additionally, our source tells us that the alleged cheating was more serious than previously believed. It was not simply Googling answers, but students paying other students to help them receive higher grades.  It is of note that students did not personally grade their own quizzes; they were scored by classmates (peer-graded, not self-graded).

Finally, it is apparent that a number of students (all CC) dropped the class as soon as the final was added, and that those suspected of cheating will be hearing from the disciplinary board soon.

Update, 12:34 am: The New York Times has picked up the story, describing the incident as “quite tame” (compared to the Harvard scandal of 2012). The Times also reports that, after learning about cheating early in the semester, Ellsberg delegated the responsibility of grading all quizzes to “a few reliable students.”

To scale model via Shutterstock

Apparently, Harvard isn’t alone in its recent tradition of academic dishonesty. Over the past few weeks, the English department at Barnard has also faced a major cheating scandal. The wildly popular Major English Texts II class, in which 123 students are enrolled, is currently under review by the registrar and dean after several students reported widespread cheating across the lecture.

Students allegedly passed answers back and forth and confirmed responses on their phones during regular reading quizzes, which consisted of basic poem identifications. Without a TA to help her grade the work of such a large class, Senior Lecturer Peggy Ellsberg, who is teaching the course this spring and has been at Barnard for over 20 years, allowed her students to self-grade. Ellsberg became suspicious of cheating after the majority of the class was consistently receiving 90+ percent on their quizzes. All quizzes, many with nearly identically-marked answers, are now being held by Barnard as “evidence.”

Ellsberg was allegedly given a choice as to whether she wanted to subject her entire class to a formal academic investigation, which could potentially end in expulsion. According to students in the class, no students have yet been expelled but Ellsberg did call for witnesses and confessions during class, emphasizing that anyone who came clean would avoid expulsion but receive a zero in the course. The Barnard administration has not interfaced with the class directly, either through email or in person; thus far, all potential consequences for the cheating incident have been relayed through Ellsberg. The class will be capped at 40 students next semester and will likely not feature reading quizzes.

Grades for Major English Texts II, a notoriously easy class, were calculated solely based on a single 2-3 page paper and the weekly quizzes. In an attempt to balance the class’ grades, Ellsberg eliminated all quiz scores from the grade book and added a final exam, worth 70% of each student’s final grade.

The class will now be subject to a blue book final tomorrow at 9 am with extravagant anti-cheating measures, like splitting students into several rooms and having the exam proctored by multiple administrative members. Additionally, Barnard is bringing in “the fuzz,” as Ellsberg called them, to keep an eye on any would-be delinquents.

Ellsberg and the Barnard administration have yet to comment on this incident publicly and had not responded to our requests for comment at the time of publishing. We will update you as we learn more.

Update, 6:26 p.m.: Ellsberg informed the class yesterday that the final will be proctored by admins, possibly including Dean Hinkson and Peter Platt, the chair of the English department. One of the rooms in which the final is scheduled to be held, Held Auditorium, currently has multiple video surveillance warnings taped to its exterior, though that’s not necessarily related to the final.

Update, 10:30 pm: A statement from Hilary Link, Barnard Vice Provost and Chair of the Committee on Instruction:

The College takes all allegations of cheating seriously. In this particular situation, college procedure was followed in that the professor, in consultation with relevant committees and her department chair, discounted quizzes because of a serious concern that academic integrity may have been compromised. In accordance with college policy, the professor supplemented the course assessment with a final exam. To date, no Barnard students have been identified as having cheated.

The final issue of The Blue and White will be on campus next week! While anxiously awaiting it’s arrival, we humbly offer you this excerpt to tide you over. 

In her Senior Wisdom, Greta Gerwig, BC ’06, offered this piece of hard-learned advice: “I’m a douchebag if I say I go to Columbia.” Since graduating, the 2004 Varsity Show star and Tea Party improv alum has worked with some of the truly great luminaries of contemporary film, from Woody Allen to Whit Stillman. She was described by the New York Times film critic, A.O. Scott, as “the definitive screen actress of her generation.” Gerwig is charming, natural, and remarkably level-headed about her success. She took some time to chat with managing editor Anna Bahr about harsh critics, getting stuck with the “Hollywood’s indie darling” brand, and why Los Angeles sucks.

Illustrations by Jiyoon Han, CC ’13

The Blue and White: I feel like you’re at Barnard all the time. I saw you speak at the opening of the Athena Film Festival a couple months ago and there were rumors of Frances Ha being shot here in the fall…

Greta Gerwig: I shot something at Barnard in the fall but Frances Ha was all done up at Vassar. You saw me speak? Oh my god I was terrified. I don’t know why I guess I don’t usually speak in front rooms like that.

B&W: What is it like coming back?

GG: I loved Barnard. I loved going to school there. It changed my life, which sounds like I’m overstating it, but I’m not. Barnard College and The Varsity show were the two formative things in my life.  V-show especially in terms of the people I met and that uniquely collaborative spirit that translated into what I was doing later. I thought they were the funniest coolest people ever and I wasn’t as funny or as cool as they were. I was an okay singer and an okay dancer and was okay at being funny and cool.

B&W: Do you ever miss it? And by it I mean being back in school?

GG: Two years out of college, yes I missed it. But not now. There is definitely a time when you stop talking about your life in terms of college and it stops being the kind of thing you invest in. It’s a nice thing to be able to frame your existence around something new. I love Barnard and will always participate in it and support it but I’m happy to have distance from that part of my life. (more…)

Rejoice! The March 2013 issue of The Blue and White is now on campus. Pick it up in Lerner, Butler, or select residence halls (or find it “online“). To honor our heritage/amorousaffair with our mother magazine, we will continue posting pieces from the upcoming issue. In this feature, mag contributors Naomi Cohen, CC ’15, and Claire Heyison, BC ’13, discuss the complexities of the tenure process at Barnard and why a beloved Barnard English professor packed off for Brown University. Want more? Catch the writers discussing the piece tonight from 9-9:30 pm on 89.9 WKCR’s “Late City Edition.”

“It’s a body blow,” says Barnard English chair Peter Platt. “But we’re big and we’re strong. We have to pick up the pieces, and we’re doing that.”

Platt is referring to the loss of former colleague Bashir Abu-Manneh, whom he helped hire in 2004—and who, in November 2012, was denied tenure by his department, effectively ending his employment at Barnard.

Illustration by Alexander Pines, CC ’16

While students were quick to voice their resentment toward the tenure decision by circulating a high-profile petition demanding his reinstatement, Abu-Manneh’s colleagues in the department have largely refused to speak on the matter. Abu-Manneh, too, declined to comment.

Abu-Manneh taught a number of courses, including Cultures of Colonialism: Israel/Palestine; Global Literature; Postcolonial Theory; and Marxist Criticism. He was the only Barnard English professor who specialized in postcolonial literatures and the only professor on campus who taught a course built exclusively around Arabic literature in translation. While Abu-Manneh’s deep engagement with Marxist theory and Israel-Palestine was new for many students, his openness and dynamism attracted students of disparate viewpoints. Abu-Manneh is remembered as having the rare ability to strike a pedagogical balance that was neither dogmatic nor apolitical.

“Atypical,” says Platt of his role in the department. “I’ve always been a big fan of his.”

As Abu-Manneh was a campus favorite, his dismissal has invited speculation regarding the tenure process led to his rejection. In all cases, candidates are evaluated along three distinct criteria: teaching, research, and service. Linda Bell, Provost and Dean of the Faculty at Barnard, stresses, “Nobody can pass the Barnard tenure process without distinguishing themselves in all three areas.”

While these three expansive categories are known, because tenure deliberations are confidential, cases often invite drama. What’s more, Barnard tenure protocol requires that candidates be reviewed first at Barnard, then at Columbia. Since every step of the process is confidential (and since there are many steps), where and why a candidate was rejected is always obscured.

According to multiple sources, Abu-Manneh was initially approved for tenure by the Barnard English department, by Barnard’s tenure committee, and, since the case went over to Columbia, presumably by President Spar.

Abu-Manneh’s dossier was then passed to the Columbia tenure committee, which recommended that the Provost reject his case. While rejection at this stage is usually final, Abu-Manneh’s colleagues appealed to the Columbia Provost to return the case to Barnard in fall 2012. These appeals are considered on the merit of “evidence of substantial scholarly growth,” or publishing.

Because he had only published one book during his eight years at Barnard, the same panel that approved Abu-Manneh once before was now backed into a corner, as a process which was once based on three criteria was now whittled down to an evaluation of his publication history.

Of the four candidates considered for tenure in 2012 at Barnard, Abu-Manneh was the sole candidate that was denied. According to Professor Frederick Neuhouser, Chair of the Philosophy department at Barnard and a close friend of Abu-Manneh’s, “after maybe years of serving Barnard and Columbia with great energy, Bashir is feeling very betrayed by the tenure process.”

But what is the process like?

Admissions officers carrying ED acceptances

Needless to say, this makes Barnard the most selective women’s college in the country. It’s also a record low admissions rate (last year’s was 22.5%) and record high number of applications for the College.

Unlike Columbia, Barnard tends to release really detailed data on their pool of accepted students, including their race/ethnicity, what they got on the SATs, and where they live. We expect Barnard will release that data on Monday, and we’ll update this post when they do.

In the meantime, congratulations to all the new freshbears!

ED admissions via Barnard College/Ayelet Pearl, BC ’14

Update, 4/1: Jennifer Fondiller, Barnard’s Dean of Enrollment Management, has nice things to say about the Class of 2017:

This was the most competitive year for applicants in Barnard’s history. Hailing from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 39 countries, they are among the most accomplished young women in the world. And their accomplishments, interests and experiences are just as varied. From all around the world, within minutes of receiving their acceptance letters via email, students were accepting our offers, sending in their deposits, downloading our new mobile app and signing up for open house programs. It will be exciting to meet the Class of 2017 this fall—they are a truly impressive group.

Speaker Quinn and DSpar

Last night, Speaker of the City Council Christine Quinn stopped by Barnard to campaign for mayor discuss the problems facing women and those facing the city. Bwog’s City Hall bureau chief Peter Sterne reports.

The Diana Event Oval auditorium was packed with Barnard (and a few Columbia) students hoping to hear from Quinn, who is the first woman and first openly gay Speaker, as well as the frontrunner in the race to succeed Mayor Bloomberg.

Quinn began her talk by praising Barnard—”a place where women are encouraged to take risks”—and noting that more people working on her campaign came from Barnard than any other college. Later, she explained that she is a fan of single-sex education in general, and Barnard in particular. A plurality of people working on her mayoral campaign, she added, are Barnard graduates. Later, DSpar asked her a question submitted by a member of the audience—”a man, judging by the sloppy signature”—about whether single-sex education was worth it. Quinn, who attended an all-girls high school and a co-ed college, insisted it was because it provides “less distraction.” Single-sex schools, she added, have a “much better impact in creating leaders than co-ed schools.”

Bwog expected Quinn to deliver a stump speech and was surprised that she instead talked about how the young women audience should seek to break out of rigid gender roles. She explained that breaking free of gender expectations saved her grandmother, who was a passenger on the Titanic and only survived because “when the other girls got down to pray, she started running.” She also encouraged the audience not to trust “naysayers,” including their own “internal naysayer voice.” She recounted her run for City Council Speaker, when “naysayers” told her that she could never win since she was a gay woman who represented the West Village. Of course, she ignored those concerns and proved them wrong. The lesson for young women? “Every time they tell you, you can’t do something, it’s not because you can’t do it. It’s because they’re afraid they can’t.”

Read on for all the political stuff

(Former) Dean Dorothy Denburg

Dorothy Denburg, BC ’70 and the former Dean of Barnard College who currently serves as “Vice President for College Relations“, will be retiring next year. She has overseen student and alumni activities at Barnard since 1993.

Later today, DSpar will send out a touching email announcing Dean Denburg’s retirement, which Bwog has obtained. Here it is:

I am writing to let you know that Dorothy Denburg will be stepping down from her role as Vice President for College Relations at the end of the academic year, capping off an astonishing four decades of service to the College, not counting her stellar years as a Barnard student. There is simply no one like Dorothy, and simply no way to quantify what her influence, energy, and amazing spirit have meant to us all.

Most recently, in her three years as Vice President for College Relations, Dorothy has found new and compelling ways to connect our alumnae to the College, and our students to our alumnae. Her outreach to alumnae has extended well beyond the gates—from Paris and London to Seattle and St. Louis, and beyond. In many of these areas, she was the first senior administrator to visit, and her efforts have helped double the number of alumnae clubs to a total of 52, both stateside and abroad. In addition, she organized faculty lectures in cities throughout the world, and secured grant money to increase programming for 350 alumnae and 40 gap-year students in Israel.

When charged with building a program of alumnae education, Dorothy’s response has been masterful and extensive. Because she has a profound understanding of our alumnae, not to mention an insider’s perspective, she has been able to develop courses and curricula that have truly captured their attention. And they have shown up in droves for Conversations in Contemporary Art and Revisiting the Classics I and II, for series such as Barnard on the Hudson and Barnard@work, and for the College’s first-ever online course, Mary Gordon’s The Modern Novel, to be followed next year by another of Mary’s signature courses, Middle Fictions. They have also had more opportunities than ever to return the favor by means of expanded mentorship programs that pair students with alumnae mentors.

Keep reading about how amazing she is

Spring Breakers 2013

While Bwog was imbibing in the Caribbean on the couch with our dog watching the Girls finale, Barnard bears were actually doing something in the form of a delegation sent to São Paulo, Brazil for its fifth annual Global Symposium, “Women Changing Brazil.”

According to the full press release the Symposium, held last year in Mumbai, India, garnered “approximately 400 people” for the “day-long event, which brought together exceptional leaders from all over the country as well as Barnard students, alumnae ad faculty.” “Global Symposium Student Fellows” also led a “Young Women’s Leadership Workshop for high-school students from around São Paulo.” Among the day’s speakers were Eleonora Menicucci, Brazil’s Minister of the Secretariat of Policies of Women, and, of course, DSpar.

The annual Symposia series, held first in Beijing in 2009, next in Dubai and Johannesburg, will return to its last continent, ours, next year in celebration of Barnard’s 125th Anniversary. Read Barnard’s full press release below.

(more…)

Strong, Independent Portrait Included

For a take or two on what the kids are saying these days about the American career woman and Marissa Mayer, both timely subjects in the wake of the release of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s new book on female leadership, CNN came to the obvious place to talk to the world’s next generation of powerful women: Barnard College.They interviewed a group of Barnard students about the meaning of “having it all,” and their views on marriage, children, and independence.

Watch the segment here.

Full disclosure: Renée Kraiem is Bwog’s Head Barnard Correspondent and Anna Bahr is the managing editor of The Blue and White.

What if we made Barnard’s bathrooms gender inclusive AND installed more full length windows?

As spring break approaches, SGA met last night to discuss gender inclusive bathrooms on Barnard’s campus. Bwog sent towel-equipped Maddie Ball (in honor of Douglas Adam’s birthday) to get the details.

This week, SGA was joined by Maddy Popkin of Q, Barnard’s premier and only LGBTQA club. The topic of discussion? Bathrooms. Before you wrinkle your nose in disgust, Popkin joined the rep council to discuss a real shortcoming on Barnard’s campus: gender inclusive bathrooms. In case you were wondering, a gender inclusive bathroom is exactly what it sounds like: a restroom that can be used by any and all genders. For those who identify outside of the gender binary, having these restrooms available could mean increased convenience and comfort throughout the day.

Popkin’s primary goal is to have one gender inclusive bathroom in each of Barnard’s buildings- a certainly achievable goal. It also doesn’t hurt that President Spar is also totally on board, enthusiastically supporting Q’s project. After all, Q isn’t asking for renovations or rebuilds. They just want to change some signs around, removing the not so helpful stick figures that indicate gender (that skirt could be a kilt, amiright?) and adding obvious gender inclusive descriptors. Before plans could go into action, however, Dean Hinkson insisted on some form of indication of general student body support for Q’s initiative. SGA responded to this minor speed bump with enthusiasm, drafting up a letter of support for gender inclusive bathrooms that will hopefully get the ball rolling in the right direction.

(more…)

.2: the difference between being mortal and being the Sun

In an email sent to students yesterday, it was announced that Barnard would be raising the GPA cutoff for the Dean’s List from a 3.4 to a 3.6. The change will take place Fall of 2013. This will align standards at Barnard with the 3.6 GPA cutoff for Columbia College, which has been in place since 2001. Registrar Brown points out that besides changing the GPA cutoff, it is important that Barnard is making the move from a year-long requirement to a standard that operates on a semester basis. This will, “for the first time enable January transfers, February graduates, and students who go on study leave for one semester to be on Dean’s List,” says Brown. It looks like majoring in Unafraid just got a little more difficult – with honors, anyway. Read the full email below.

To all students:

Effective fall 2013, the requirements for Dean’s List will change, as approved by the Barnard faculty. Dean’s List will be based on the semester GPA, not on the year GPA, and the threshold will rise. Starting in fall 2013, a student who completes at least 12 letter-graded points (that is, points graded A through F, not Pass) with a semester GPA of at least 3.60 will be on Dean’s List. (For 2012-13, the previous policy is still in force: 12 letter-graded points for each semester and a full-year GPA of at least 3.40.) The new policy is in line with that of Columbia College. The new policy will recognize strong academic performance each semester, and will for the first time enable January transfers, February graduates, and students who go on study leave for one semester to be on Dean’s List.
 
Constance Brown, Registrar

The next step via Shutterstock

Barnard students received another curiously worded security alert today about a concerning interaction between a student and a potentially dangerous male who “approached her in the vicinity of Milbank hall, as she was walking towards Barnard Hall, and engaged her in conversation” until he “became agitated” and threatened her.

The full email and description of the individual is below. Bwog would like to take this opportunity to remind all individuals in the vicinity of Milbank Hall that you are in New York City and that there’s a reason that we’re all rude here, and it’s because things like this happen.

Scary security alert after the jump

Strong, bold and beautiful women take cabs

In the fall Barnard reported a record number of early decision applicants and this year’s round of regular decision applications is just as strong, apparently. Bwog is still waiting for stats on the extent to which it is also bold and beautiful. Barnard’s Media Relations Director Sun Min reports:

• Following the upward trend in recent years, Barnard College received a record-breaking 5,609 applications for the Class of 2017.
• This year’s number is a 3% increase from last year and, notably, a 31% increase from just five years ago when 4,273 applications were received.
• The college also received a record number of early decision applications, 599, a 6.8% increase from last year when we received 561 and a 53% increase from five years ago when we received 392.
• Barnard maintains its standing as the most sought-after women’s college in the U.S.

Regarding the increase Barnard’s Dean of Enrollment Management Jennifer Fondiller writes:

There are so many reasons we continue to attract more and more applicants—the College’s rising profile not only in the U.S. but internationally; our very hands-on and personal approach to recruiting which includes one-on-one interviews during a time when many schools have abandoned the practice; our hugely successful fly-in program that allows low income students to visit the campus; and of course, Barnard’s 124-year history of empowering young women poised to make their mark in New York and beyond.”

We all get by with a little help from our friends…

And no, it’s not because you finally got your flu shot.

The latest in a series of impressively diverse emails from AHinks, all Barnard students received notice yesterday announcing Barnard’s Responsible Community Action Policy. The Responsible Community Action Policy is basically the Good Samaritan policy that’s already been adopted across the street and which Dean Hinkson admits in her email has “long been in practice at Barnard.”

Dean Hinkson’s email is below, and you can read the official policy here.

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce Barnard’s Responsible Community Action Policy.  Effective immediately, this policy encourages students to help one another in the event of a medical concern. Any student can seek assistance for herself or a fellow student without worrying about disciplinary action for possession of alcohol or use of alcohol or other substances.

Although a “Good Samaritan” approach has long been in practice at Barnard, the College has now established this written policy to formalize the process.  We believe that this new policy, along with existing regulations and prevention education, will encourage life-saving reporting, peer intervention, and responsible behavior when alcohol or other substances are involved.

This policy will have the greatest impact if members of the Barnard community are aware of its details.  Most importantly, help should be summoned for someone who is incoherent, passed out and/or in need of medical assistance, by calling Public Safety at 212-854-3362 or x88 and notifying the RA on-duty.

We encourage you to read the complete policy, which can be found on the Dean of the College and Residential Life websites.  Please also visit the Barnard Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program resources  at http://www.barnard.edu/doc/rcap  for information about counseling, support, and other substance-related health and wellness issues.

The implementation of the Responsible Community Action Policy is the direct result of the continuing collaboration between the SGA Committee on Policy, the Housing Advisory Board, and the Barnard administration.  The collaboration also speaks to the fact that the health and safety of our students is a top priority that we all share. We thank the members of those committees for their hard work, and look forward to a safe and successful semester.

Respectfully,

Dean Hinkson and the SGA Executive Board

Friends  via. Wikimedia.

Barnard is mailing its acceptance letters for early decision applicants this week, and reports record numbers of applicants for the third year in a row.

Admissions officers that are almost as excited as those people at Midnight Breakfast last night…

Congratulations to the Class of 2017, who now await their decision by snail-mail only. Believe it or not, future first-years, that part might be easier than using eBear.

Statement from Director of Media Relations Sun Min, below:

• For the Class of 2017, Barnard received 599 early decision applications, a 6.6% increase from last year when we received 562.
• This year’s number represents a 53% increase from just three years ago when we received 392 early applications.
• Notably, this year’s applicant pool was the most diverse–including ethnic, geographic and schools–in the College’s history. There were many schools from which the College had never previously received applications, and we received a record number of early applicants from international students.

Good luck to applicants waiting to hear–we’re all rooting for you!

Joy to Milbank via Barnard College/Ayelet Pearl BC ’14.