On Wednesday evening, Barnard Dean Leslie Grinage announced that all final exams will now be remote, among other updates to academic policies following NYPD activity on campus.

On Wednesday, May 1, Barnard Dean Leslie Grinage announced adjustments to final exams and assessments in an email to students. Students have been informed that final exams will shift to a fully remote format as the semester draws to a close under “difficult” circumstances for communities on campus and nationwide. This email comes hours after Columbia provost Angela Olinto announced similar accommodations for Columbia classes. 

In the email, Grinage expressed “hope” for the students to “care for [themselves] and others.” She reiterated Barnard’s commitment to supporting students in “complet[ing] the semester successfully.” According to Grinage, all faculty have been instructed to accommodate students by transitioning final assessments to remote platforms and are allowed the discretion to alter their syllabi and assessment plans as needed.

The College has rescheduled all exams initially set for this Friday, May 3, to the following Friday, May 10. Detailed scheduling for these exams will be provided by faculty members, who will reach out to students directly with updates.

In an effort to alleviate pressure on students, deadlines for final papers, presentations, projects, and take-home exams originally due through May 3 have been extended to at least Monday, May 6. Grinage’s message also outlines steps for students who may fall ill on exam days, advising them to refer to the deferred exam process detailed in previous communications and on the Barnard website.

The email also reiterated that the deadline for students to elect Pass/D/Fail grading has been extended to May 3, which was announced in an email on April 29. For this semester only, Barnard students can choose this grading option for up to two courses, including one major or minor course.Senior capstone courses are not eligible for P/D/F grading.

Dean Grinage also mentioned that a comprehensive outline of the Spring 2024 academic policies and procedures is available on the college’s website, acknowledging the rapid changes and the need for students to stay informed through official channels.

Email from Dean Leslie Grinage to students on Wednesday, at 6:48 pm: 

Dear Students,

I know the events of yesterday evening and the past couple of weeks — here at Barnard, at Columbia, and on other campuses around the country — have been very difficult for many in our community. This is not how we wanted or expected our semester to come to a close, and I sincerely hope you are all finding meaningful ways to care for yourselves and others. 

Our focus is on supporting you to complete the semester successfully. To that end, I’m writing to provide you with important updates about final exams and assessments. 

Final Exams

All faculty at Barnard and Columbia have been asked to make final exams fully remote. Faculty may also, at their discretion, make adjustments to their syllabi and/or plans for assessments. Please expect to hear from your faculty members in the coming days regarding their updated plans for their courses, including updates to final exams and assessments. 

All exams scheduled for this Friday, May 3, will automatically be rescheduled for next Friday, May 10. This applies to both Barnard and Columbia classes. Days/times for Barnard and Columbia timed exams can be found here, although please be sure to also reference any updated information provided by your faculty member.

Deadlines for Assessments

Any deadlines for final papers, presentations, projects, or take-home exams that currently fall during this week (through Friday, May 3), will be extended to at least Monday, May 6. Note that deadlines may not be extended after Friday, May 10. Please review my message from April 25 regarding information about requesting an Incomplete grade if you have concerns about finishing your work within your professor’s updated deadline(s). If you fall ill on the day of an exam, please refer to the deferred exam process also outlined in my April 25 message.

Pass/D/Fail

As noted in my April 29 communication to students:

Spring 2024 Academic Policy Website

I understand that there have been many updates to academic policies and procedures over the past several days as the situation on campus has changed. Therefore, the full details of these updates are available at the following website: https://barnard.edu/spring-2024-academic-policies-and-procedures. Note that further updates may be made in the coming days, and I encourage you to check this website for current guidance should any questions arise. 

I hope this information is helpful to you as you determine options for finishing the semester. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to be in touch with your class dean if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Dean Grinage

Milbank Hall via Bwog Archives