The first President of Bernard college, alumna Ellen Futter, often characterized Barnard by saying, "This is not a cloistered Enclave," thus coining a slogan for the ages. While students find Campus activities galore, they have never-ending access to the unquantifiable offerings of what is arguably the world's greatest city; moreover, the college tries to make the city's offerings affordable for the usually cash-strapped undergrad. Discount vouchers to first-run films and the performing arts supplements the popular urban New York program, which takes students to events such as Wicked on Broadway, opening day at Yankee Stadium, the New York philharmonic, and even the circus, all for the price of the Subway($4.00 round-trip). Each trip is escorted by a member of the college or university faculty or administration, providing an extra opportunity to get to know a key member of the community in a relaxed, sometimes unconventional setting.
Most students worry, to some degree or other, about making friends in college. If they can be generalized in any way, Barnard friendships are built to last. That said, the need for privacy inherent in living in New York city means that personal space is valued and respected. People don't run right up to you to get to know you here, but don't mistake that for unfriendliness. Attend any club meeting, event, or party and you are here to make a new acquaintance. Whether it is the woman in your sponsor group during orientation, friend of a friend from high school or summer camp who lives down the hall, or the person who wants to have coffee after orchestra practice, student's life lends itself to the friendship making process.
Housing
Barnard's residential focus means a great deal of programming takes place in the dorms. First-year students are clustered together in the quad, a grouping of (surprise!) four halls that situated on the south end of the main campus houses a total of about 900 students. The main dining room is located here, in Hewitt hall, and the quad Cafe is open late into the evening for that much-needed burst of energy courtesy of Starbucks Coffee. Beyond the quad, which primarily features the traditional corridor style of dormitory living, upper-class students live in suites of various configurations in seven other residence halls surrounding the main campus. In every hall, Resident Assistants (RAs) sponsor floor programs and study breaks to foster social connections, movie nights and guest appearances by various peer education groups and speakers offer something for just about everyone. After the 1st year, students select their own living space through a lottery process. In addition, they may enter the lottery in groups, sometimes with their Columbia friends, for suite living on either campus. Another more competitive option is to participate in special interest housing, meaning that students come together around a theme such as community service, foreign language or environmental awareness, and sponsor programs in their residence hall for everyone's benefit. The housing offers forums early in the spring semester to help explain the various options.
Outside groups
The amount and quality activity sponsored by and for the college is inspiring. Well the faculty and administration present lectures and readings by prominent and emerging scholar and artists, students themselves create end invite a great deal R programming. Thus, you are likely to find both a classical musical recital and a concert by an alternative Band, with a Barnard Bulletin (a news weekly) reporter on hand to interview the talent and audience as well. Barnard's radio station, WBAR, broadcasts of college alternating moment and their or traditional activities such as the Europe and student government called SDA which is responsible 4:30 or so student organisations cultural organisations and various other community groups come under SDA umbrella.
That's said, there are at least as many groups at Columbia, giving Bernard students the opportunity to work on a daily paper paper (The Spectacular) or jazz-oriented radio station (WKCR), to get involved in religious, volunteer and political organisation (most of which are jointly sponsored by Bernard but whose offices are physically located on the Columbia campus), and clubs galore.
The Greeks
The Greek system including both sororities and coed fraternities is open to Bernard students who want to experience more "traditional" Collegiate life. Those who take part in them tend to rave about about about their experiences; however, the SGA constitution prohibits groups that limit their membership and therefore your phone therefore does not recognize the Greek system. There is hardly a more concrete example of how concrete example of how student life at Bernard offers something for everyone!
Productions
Dance, theatre, and musical productions abound. From improved comedy to a cappella singing, Barnard women regularly appear on stage. Two annual events are Acapellooza, an a cappella jamboree hosted by Bernard's own Bacchantae, which features groups from the university and selected others and results in a professional-quality CD, and Broadway Tonight, a benefit performance of Broadway selections that teams up Bernard students with professionals from the Great White Way. Off stage, students provide technical support and packed houses. This is one talented group of students, and a group appreciative a of the efforts of their peers.
Athletics
Those who prefer their thrills on a Court, Arena or stadium can participate on a number levels. Bernard varsity athletes compete in division 1 archery, basketball, soccer, field Hockey, crew, tennis, lacrosse, cross-country, track and field, swimming and diving, softball, fencing, Golf and volleyball as part of the athletic consortium with their counterparts from Columbia college and The School of Engineering. We are talking Ivy League here--no athletic scholarships, just sheer love of the game. Club sports such as Ultimate Frisbee, sailing and rugby offer unique opportunities for intercollegiate competition and comraderie. Intramurals provide a great way to let loose,, either in Soccer basketball or even bowling (at Barnard's on-campus alley). Finally, many students work out on their own or with friends by running in Riverside Park, taking the student-led aerobics class, or swimming a few laps in the Barnard pool. While obviously not an outdoorsy, let's-go-skiing-this-afternoon campus, Barnard students enjoy breaking a good sweat.
No comments:
Post a Comment