The Y (which is very much not the YMCA).

Plimpton residents, you could have it worse. Barnard really, really, lacks space. A tipster forwarded us this “email [that] students received who are returning from time off, and (possibly) all transfers also.”

The email opens ominously:

Thank you for applying for on-campus housing and for your patience as the College waits to see if any additional space opens up for the Fall. At this point, we are still not able to offer you a room assignment.

Barnard Housing subsequently encourages these students to find an off-campus apartment, then a room at the 92nd Street Y. Finally, it bumps an old-fashioned SRO at the Brandon Residency for Women, whose rules read that male visitors are allowed “[o]nly on the first floor, in the main sitting room.”

We’re wondering whether students forced to live off-campus lose some financial aid, and we’re looking into it. (especially since the Brandon requires residents to buy breakfast and dinner every day.)

N.B. This is for students who took time off, and possibly transfers. Students who went abroad keep housing.

Update, 1:07 pm: We contacted Barnard Financial Aid, but they said that the director isn’t in, and will get back to us on Monday.

Update, 2:38 pm: Though Barnard Financial Aid hasn’t told us anything, we did find the below on Barnard ResLife. (emphasis ours)

Please note that housing options like The Bayit and International House are not considered part of undergraduate housing and are not part of the Barnard/Columbia Housing Exchange. Students who move into these locations would cease to be eligible for participation in the Room Selection process and would loose their guarantee of housing for future semesters. Additionally, students who choose to live in these locations would be classified by the Barnard Financial Aid office as living off-campus and would eligible for less financial aid.

Full email after the jump.