bard collegeparents handbook

2012–2013

CONTENTS

3 Letter from the Dean of the College

4 Letter from the Vice President of Development

and Alumni/ae Affairs

5 The Parents Network

6 Learning at Bard

10 Academic Calendar 2012–13

12 Contact Numbers

14 Administrative and Emergency Information

17 The Extracurricular Bard Community

20 Health Insurance / Alcohol and Drug Policy

21 Money Matters

23 Transportation On and Off Campus

25 Travel to Bard

26 Local Businesses

27 Release of Student Information

letter from the dean of the college

Dear Bard Parents:

Welcome to the Bard community and the Hudson Valley. As you and your son or daughter embark

on one of the most transformative and exciting of life’s journeys, I assure you that the faculty and

staff of the College will be available to assist, every step along the way.

The staff of the Office of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs created this Parents Handbook as

a practical reference guide for first-year parents and their families. We know that families feel

most comfortable with transitional adjustments when answers to potential questions are easy to

access.

You can find additional information online on the Parents Network website, www.annandaleon-

line.org/parents, and on the Bard College website, www.bard.edu. Contact information for the

academic deans is located on my section of the Bard website at inside.bard.edu/doc. If you need

additional information about the academic program, now or as the year progresses, please con-

tact Dean of Studies David Shein (845-758-7045 or shein@bard.edu). Dean of Students Bethany

Nohlgren (845-758-7454 or nohlgren@bard.edu) can be helpful if you have questions about your

daughter’s or son’s cocurricular and extracurricular life at Bard.

Please note the academic calendar on page XXX highlights term dates, vacations, and special

events such as Family Weekend, which will be held October 12–14, 2012. During Family Weekend,

faculty, staff, and students provide an array of events including classes, building and campus tours,

student and faculty panels, and performances, all of which promise to provide a glimpse into the

undergraduate life of your son or daughter.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus, now and many times in the future.

Yours truly,

Michèle D. Dominy

Dean of the College and Professor of Anthropology

annandaleonline.org/parents 3letter from the dean

annandaleonline.org/parents 4letter from the vice president

letter from the vice president ofdevelopment and alumni/ae affairs

Dear Bard Parents:

It is a pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you, the newest members of the Bard community.

We urge you to join the parent online community website, www.annandaleonline.org/parents.

Over the past few years, www.annandaleonline.org/parents has become a vibrant source of infor-

mation and one of the primary ways the College communicates with parents. From the site, you

can link to the Parents Network Facebook group, where other Bard parents have offered to make

themselves available to answer questions and give advice; it is also a great place to connect to

other parents in your area. You can also access the monthly e-newsletter, which provides news on

faculty, campus initiatives, and student life—giving you a sense of the daily happenings in your

student’s campus experience. The online community website and the e-newsletter also provide

logistical information, including shuttle schedules, move-in dates, and the academic calendar.

Additionally, please consider planning a visit to campus October 12–14 for Family Weekend. We

are offering a varied program including classes, concerts, an “Ask the President” session, student

panels and performances, and sporting events. While on campus, be sure to visit the new

Alumni/ae Center. Incorporating green technology in its design and construction, the Center

provides informal meeting and conference rooms, exhibition spaces, and offices for Bard’s

alumni/ae and development programs. While you are there, enjoy a slice of pizza at Two Boots—

the space adjacent to the Alumni/ae Center, which was leased to this Cajun-Italian pizzeria. Two

Boots’ owner Phil Hartman is a filmmaker and restaurateur who studied at Bard and is the proud

parent of two Bardians from the classes of 2008 and 2011.

As a parent, you are an integral part of the Bard community. Much of what Bard does to ensure

the excellence of the education it provides is made possible through your generosity. Parents host

and attend events, offer internships, and join committees to help support the Parents Fund. Our

parents are among the most essential and dedicated members of the Bard community and we

hope that you will take part.

I look forward to meeting you on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Debra Pemstein

Vice President of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs

parents networkThe Parents Network is designed to support the students and families that make up the Bard com-

munity. Its primary focus is to enhance the undergraduate college experience. The Parents Network

also provides regional programs and networking opportunities that bring students and their families

together with Bard faculty and administrators.

Membership is open to all parents, grandparents, and guardians. Parents of current and former students

give their time and resources to projects such as regional events, career counseling, professional intro-

ductions, contacting parents of prospective students, and fund-raising on behalf of the College. We wel-

come your ideas and, especially, your involvement.

The network’s annual meeting is held each fall during Family Weekend (see below).

Parents Online Community—www.annandaleonline.org/parentsThe online community is an important source of information for parents and guardians of current

students. The site offers many features including:

• Monthly e-newsletter containing the latest campus news and logistical infor-

mation—shuttle times, move-in dates, and the academic calendar

• Parents directory

• Listing of parent events

• Volunteer and mentorship opportunities

• Parent message boards where you can post questions

• Link to the Parents Network Facebook group, where other Bard parents have

offered to answer questions and give advice.

annandaleonline.org/parents 5parents network

learning at bard

The liberal arts and progressive curricular traditions coexist in the Bard education, uniting the goals

of both the generalist and the specialist in a program of study that has made Bard a place of innova-

tion in higher education and a force for the rebirth of intellectual thought in public life. The liberal

arts tradition is evident in the First-Year Seminar and in elective general courses that ground students

in the essentials of inquiry and analysis, and present a serious encounter with the world of ideas. The

progressive tradition runs through Bard’s tutorial system and interdisciplinary curriculum, empha-

sizing independent and creative thought and the skills required to express such thoughts with power

and effect.

The College enhances the undergraduate experience with compatible intellectual and artistic ventures

that contribute to the larger public and cultural life of the nation. Bard’s satellite institutes and grad-

uate programs expand undergraduate students’ opportunities to work with leading scholars and artists

and lead to the integration of new areas of study. For example, in New York City, Bard undergradu-

ates are offered specialized study with leading experts in international affairs in the Bard Globalization

and International Affairs Program or, through the Bard-Rockefeller Semester in Science, the oppor-

tunity to do research at a graduate school level in the internationally distinguished laboratories of

The Rockefeller University. Bard’s satellite model, unique in the field of higher education, equips stu-

dents to play active, engaged roles not only for personal goals, but also to address the larger issues that

face humanity in our time.

Structure of the First Year

All first-year students participate in a common curriculum and also take elective courses. The com-

mon curriculum consists of the Language and Thinking Program, First-Year Seminar, Citizen Science,

and first-year advising.

annandaleonline.org/parents 6learning at bard

Language and Thinking Program

The Language and Thinking Program is an intensive three-week writing program that begins in early

August. Students read extensively in several genres, work on many different kinds of writing projects,

and meet in small groups to discuss their reading and writing. Through these activities, they learn to

read and listen thoughtfully, to articulate ideas, to review their own work critically, and, most basically,

to recognize the link between thought and expression. The program is also an introduction to college-

level instruction as well as to the Bard community. Satisfactory completion of the Language and

Thinking Program is required for matriculation into the College. Students failing to meet this require-

ment will be asked to take a one-year academic leave.

First-Year Seminar

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar, which introduces

important intellectual, artistic, and cultural ideas. First-Year Seminar serves as a strong foundation for

a liberal arts education in subsequent years at the College, regardless of the field in which a student

decides to specialize. These fundamental ideas are presented in the context of a historic tradition, on

as broad a scale as feasible within a framework that emphasizes precise, analytical thinking through

class discussions and frequent writing assignments. The heart of the seminar is a series of core texts

(which may include a painting or a symphonic work) that focus on a common theme. Whatever the

theme, the spirit of the course is exemplified by the observation that in daily life we frequently

encounter ideas and concepts drawn from the texts studied in First-Year Seminar; but without a con-

crete historical and critical context, we risk allowing others to define such ideas and concepts for us.

The current theme of the First-Year Seminar is “Quaestio mihi factus sum: Self and Society in the

Liberal Arts.” Whether through philosophical inquiry into what constitutes the person, scientific

debates about when life begins, theological disquisitions on where the self ends and the soul begins,

or the literary construction of the autobiographical persona, thinkers and artists throughout history

have explored the moral and ethical dimensions of self-representation while gesturing toward its

unsolvable mysteries and productive tensions. In this yearlong seminar, students read a core of texts

that, individually and collectively, engage in a vigorous dialogue over such questions as: What are the

claims that political and social responsibilities make upon an individual’s quest for self-understand-

ing? At what point should the conscientious citizen sacrifice such a quest in the name of a collective

identity? How does scientific inquiry into the nonhuman natural world implicate what are felt to be

deeply human issues? How does this relationship between a private and public understanding of the

self implicate spiritual exploration of identity’s nether realm, especially the question of the eternity of

the soul or the lack thereof? Finally, how do study and close reading—the foundational activities of

First-Year Seminar—shape those personal and public narratives that are the focus of our attention?

Core texts for the fall semester include works by Plato, Virgil, Augustine, Dante, Shakespeare, and

Galileo. Core texts for the spring semester include works by Rousseau, Shelley, Marx, Nietzsche,

DuBois, Freud, Woolf, and Levi. Guest lectures, panel presentations, and films supplement readings

and discussions.

annandaleonline.org/parents 7learning at bard

Citizen Science Program

All first-year students spend January term in the Citizen Science Program. Citizen Science is an inten-

sive, interdisciplinary investigation of the nature and conduct of science, drawing from biology, math-

ematics, chemistry, physics, and computer science. The current theme of the program is infectious

disease—its definition, character, and social and cultural interpretations. As in the Language and

Thinking Program, Citizen Science is taught in small groups by a faculty drawn from around the

country. Satisfactory completion of the Citizen Science Program is required for graduation.

First-Year Advising

All first-year students are assigned an academic adviser. The faculty member and the student have a

series of meetings at strategic points during each semester: at registration; two weeks into the semes-

ter when course selection is final; shortly before midterm; two weeks after midterm; and just prior to

registration for the next semester. The first-year advising system is intended to help students begin the

process of selecting a program in which to moderate, meeting the requirements of that program,

preparing for professional study or other activities outside of or after college, and satisfying other

interests. Advising may be particularly important as students’ intellectual outlooks change and expand

throughout their first year at the College.

First-Year Electives

A student selects three elective courses in each semester of the first year (the fourth course each semes-

ter is the First-Year Seminar). The central purpose of the elective track is to allow students to take

courses in fields in which they are interested and, perhaps more important, to experiment with unfa-

miliar areas of study. The electives help them expand their range of interests and knowledge, and nar-

row the choices from which to select a major.

Study Abroad

Through Bard’s study-abroad programs, students attend classes within foreign universities, rather

than take courses designed exclusively for Americans. Bard’s unique offerings include: Central

European University in Budapest, Hungary, at which Bard students can take accredited courses in the

social sciences and humanities; International Human Rights Exchange, a summer program initiated

by Bard among six universities in South Africa and Zimbabwe and six American liberal arts colleges;

Smolny College, Russia’s first liberal arts college, a joint program of Bard and Saint Petersburg State

University; and ECLA of Bard, Germany’s first private liberal arts institution of higher learning. Many

other programs are available in Europe, Africa, China, and elsewhere, some of which offer intensive

and immersion foreign-language study. Another unique Bard offering is the Bard Globalization and

International Affairs Program, which provides opportunities to study and intern with international

affairs organizations in New York City.

Please visit the Bard College website at www.bard.edu/academics to learn more about Bard’s academic

procedures and policies, including:

Curriculum

Academic course information

Academic requirements and regulations

Evaluations and grades

Academic deficiencies

annandaleonline.org/parents 8learning at bard

annandaleonline.org/parents 9learning at bard

The program approach to majors

Moderation

Distribution requirements

The Senior Project

College policies on plagiarism and academic dishonesty

Withdrawal and rematriculation

For the consensual relations policy between students and faculty/staff visit

inside.bard.edu/doso/handbook.

For academic course information and a detailed list of educational rights, including the Family

Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Notice of Nondiscrimination, anti-hazing policies, and accredi-

tation, please visit www.bard.edu/catalogue.

academic calendar 2012–13

Summer 2012

Saturday, August 11 Arrival date, financial clearance, and

orientation for first-year students

Monday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 29 Language and Thinking Program workshop

for first-year students

Fall Semester 2012

Wednesday, August 29 Arrival date and financial clearance for

transfer students

Wednesday, August 29 – Thursday, August 30 Orientation for transfer students

Thursday, August 30 – Friday, August 31 Matriculation days, and advising and registration

for new students

Saturday, September 1 Arrival date and financial clearance for all

returning students

Monday, September 3 First day of classes

Wednesday, September 19 Drop/add period ends

Monday, October 8 – Tuesday, October 9 Fall break

Friday, October 12 – Sunday, October 14 Family Weekend

Friday, October 26 Moderation papers due

Friday, November 9 Last day to withdraw from a course

Wednesday, November 21 – Sunday, November 25 Thanksgiving recess

Wednesday, November 28 Advising day

Monday, December 3 Senior Projects due for students graduating in

December

annandaleonline.org/parents 10academic calendar

annandaleonline.org/parents 11academic calendar

Thursday, December 6 Course registration opens for spring 2012

semester

Monday, December 17 – Friday, December 21 Completion days

Friday, December 21 Last day of classes

Intersession

Saturday, December 22 – Friday, January 25 Winter intersession (no classes for sophomores,

juniors, and seniors)

Saturday, January 5 First-year students return for Citizen Science

Program

Sunday, January 6 – Wednesday, January 23 Citizen Science Program

Spring Semester 2013

Wednesday, January 23 Arrival date and financial clearance for new

first-year and transfer students

Thursday, January 24 – Friday, January 25 Academic orientation, advising, and registra-

tion for new first-year and transfer students

Saturday, January 26 Arrival date and financial clearance for all

returning students

Monday, January 28 First day of classes

Wednesday, February 13 Drop/add period ends

Friday, March 22 Moderation papers due

Saturday, March 23 – Sunday, March 31 Spring recess

Friday, April 12 Last day to withdraw from a course

Monday, April 29 – Tuesday, April 30 Advising days

Wednesday, May 1 Senior Projects due for students graduating in

May

Wednesday, May 8 Course registration opens for fall 2013 semester

Wednesday, May 15 – Tuesday, May 21 Completion days

Tuesday, May 21 Last day of classes

Thursday, May 23 Baccalaureate service and Senior Dinner

Saturday, May 25 Commencement

Academic7045 David Shein, Dean of Studies

7340 Arts

7242 Languages and Literature

7362 Science, Mathematics, and Computing

7280 Social Studies

7472 AdmissionMary Backlund, Vice President for

Student Affairs, Director of Admission

7406 Alumni/ae AffairsJane Brien ’89, Director

7528 Athletics and RecreationKristen Hall, Director

7073 Bard Center for Environmental PolicyEban Goodstein, Director

Bard Globalization andInternational Affairs ProgramJonathan Cristol ’00, Director

646-839-9262

7097 Bertelsmann Campus Center

7005 BookstoreMerry Meyer, Manager

7557 BRAVE (Bard Response to Rape andAssociated Violence Education)Rebecca Stacy, Director

7539 Career DevelopmentApril Kinser, Director

7335 Catholic ChaplainJoseph Mali

7378 Center for Civic EngagementJonathan Becker, Vice President and

Dean for International Affairs and Civic

Engagement

7335 Chaplain of the CollegeBruce Chilton ’71

7056 Community Service and Social Action

annandaleonline.org/parents 12contact numbers

contact numbers

The Bard College operator is reached at 845-758-6822. For other numbers at Bard, dial 845-758- and

the four-digit extension. If the information you need is not listed here, call the First-Year Students

Hotline at 845-758-7058. Directory information and e-mail addresses are also available on the College’s

website, www.bard.edu; we encourage you to browse through Bard’s website to learn more about the

wealth of services and programs provided by the College.

Paul Marienthal, Associate Dean of

Student Affairs, Director,

Trustee

Leader Scholar Program

7454 Dean of Campus LifeGretchen Perry

7421 Dean of the CollegeMichèle D. Dominy, Dean and

Professor of Anthropology

7454 Dean of Student AffairsErin Cannan

7405 DevelopmentDebra Pemstein, Vice President for

Development and Alumni/ae Affairs

4309 Ecumenical ChaplainGinger Grab

7426 Executive Vice PresidentDimitri B. Papadimitriou

7526 Financial Aid OfficeDenise Ann Ackerman, Director

7454 First-Year ExperienceBethany Nohlgren, Associate Dean of

Student Affairs and Engagement

7900 Fisher Center for the Performing ArtsBox Office

7433 Health ServicesMarsha Davis, Director

7500 Henderson Computer ResourcesCenterJoe DeFranco, User Services Manager

7082 Institute for International LiberalEducationSusan Gillespie, Director and Vice

President for Global Initiatives

7080 Katrina Helz, Adviser, Study Abroad

7432 Institute for Writing and ThinkingPeg Peoples, Director

7430 International Student Services Office

Manishkamala Kalupahana, Adviser

7438 Jewish ChaplainDavid Nelson

7812 Learning CommonsJim Keller, Director

7427 Levy Economics InstituteDeborah Treadway, Assistant to the

Executive Vice President

7047 Multicultural AffairsAnnie Seaton, Director

7438 Muslim ChaplainSalahuddin M. Muhammad

7605 Opportunity ProgramsAriana Stokas, Director

7657 Parents Network and FundJennifer Montalbano, Assistant Director

of Development, Parent Programs

7537 Post Office

7423 PresidentLeon Botstein

7457 RegistrarPeter Gadsby, Associate Vice President

for Enrollment

7455 Residence LifeJennifer Forbes, Assistant Director

7460 Safety and SecurityKen Cooper, Director

7454 Sophomore-Year ExperienceLora Seery, Assistant Dean of Student

Affairs and Engagement

7527 Stevenson GymnasiumKristen Hall, Director of Athletics

7501 Stevenson LibraryJeff Katz, Director, Bard College

Libraries and Dean of Information

Services

7520 Student AccountsGwen Menshenfriend, Assistant Bursar

7099 Student Activities and Campus Center

annandaleonline.org/parents 13contact numbers

administrative and emergency information

The listing below contains information about several administrative offices that can provide assistance

depending on your issue or concern.

If you have a concern about:

Your first-year student’s extracurricular experience

Contact Bethany Nohlgren, dean of students (nohlgren@bard.edu, 845-758-7454), who is the primary con-

tact for first-year students and their parents and for faculty and staff who have concerns specific to the first

year at Bard, such as social and adjustment issues, academic challenges or concerns, College regulations

and requirements, and issues regarding campus safety and security. She coordinates the orientation program

and facilitates activities designed to support students throughout their transition to campus.

Your second-year or transfer student’s extracurricular experience

Contact Lora Seery, associate dean of student affairs and engagement (seery@bard.edu, 845-758-7454), who

is the primary contact for second-year and transfer students and their parents and serves as a resource for

faculty and staff with concerns specific to the second year at Bard, such as social and adjustment issues,

academic challenges or concerns, College regulations and requirements, and issues regarding campus safety

and security. She facilitates activities designed to support students through the sophomore year, transfer

transition, and Moderation process.

Housing or other residence life issues

Contact Jennifer Forbes, director of residence life (jforbes@bard.edu, 845-758-7455), who is the primary

contact for residence life. The residence life staff includes a housing director, assistant director, and four

professional area coordinators (AC) who live on campus and supervise 54 student peer counselors (PC). The

PCs develop community-building programs and partner with residents to create an environment that sup-

annandaleonline.org/parents 14administrative and emergency information

ports the academic mission of the College. The professional staff provides support resources to individual

students as needed. The residence life staff coordinates with the Safety and Security and Buildings and

Grounds Offices to foster a safe and healthy campus community.

Campus life

Contact Gretchen Perry, dean of campus life (gperry@bard.edu, 845-758-7454), who is a resource for infor-

mation on all types of nonacademic matters and for addressing any community or private concerns. To

ensure that all students are successful in their adjustment to college life, the Office of Student Affairs does

its best to accommodate individual student’s circumstances.

Multicultural affairs

Contact Annie Seaton, director of multicultural affairs and the difference and media project

(aseaton@bard.edu, 845-758-7047). She and her staff are resources for students belonging to affinity groups

(for example, students who are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, African American, LGBT, Latino, or Asian, as well

as other groups). The office assists any and all students with interests in or questions about identity, broadly

considered, and also organizes speakers and conferences, in collaboration with students, faculty, and depart-

ments.

Academics

Contact David Shein, dean of studies (shein@bard.edu, 845-758-7045), who is the dean for student academic

affairs; the primary contact for students, faculty, and parents who have questions about advising, course

selection, academic support, Moderation, and other academic issues. The dean of studies, part of the Office

of the Dean of the College, advises students who have questions about their programs of study and collab-

orates with the dean of student affairs and the dean of the college to develop extracurricular programs and

activities that supplement classroom work.

Academic support Contact the Bard Learning Commons (learningcommons@bard.edu, 845-758-7812),

which is located in the basement of Stone Row and provides academic support for all students. Peer tutor-

ing, staff consultations, and courses in writing, grammar, and math are offered each semester. The Bard

Learning Commons website features extensive links to writers’ resources, including style guides, grammar

help, foreign language dictionaries, and resources for students with learning disabilities. In addition to

credit-bearing courses in writing, grammar, and math, the Learning Commons offers one-on-one peer

tutoring in all academic subjects. Students may request a peer tutor by filling out the appointment form at

inside.bard.edu/learningcommons or by going to the Learning Commons and filling out a tutor request

form. Writing tutors are available for drop-in consultations five evenings a week. Drop-in hours are also

available in math, physics, and chemistry. Students may also meet with staff members for more focused

assistance on writing, study skills, and time management.

Security / Emergency

Contact the Office of Safety and Security, which is available 24 hours a day to assist all members of the

College community. Students should telephone x7460 (845-758-7460) to report any incident that appears

suspicious or to report a crime. In the event of a life-threatening or emergency situation, students should

immediately call x7777 (845-758-7777). Security assists in coordinating emergency medical transportation

for the College community. All members of the department are trained in basic first aid and are supported

by the Bard College Emergency Medical Services (BEMS). Security officers assist emergency responders,

providing mutual aid if necessary.

annandaleonline.org/parents 15administrative and emergency information

On-Campus Health Facilities

Contact Health Services, which is located in the Robbins Annex; it is staffed by four nurse practitioners, a

part-time physician, a registered nurse, an administrative assistant, and a receptionist. Health Services pro-

vides outpatient care to all registered undergraduate students and promotes optimum physical, emotional,

intellectual, and social well-being through primary health care. The offices are open Monday–Friday, from

9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. by appointment, with a Thursday evening clinic available from 4:00–7:00 p.m. by

appointment.

A Community-wide or National Emergency

Contact the Bard Security Office (845-758-7460) or the Dean of Students Office (845-758-7454) for infor-

mation if a community-wide or national emergency occurs. Bard students are encouraged to register for a

campus-wide emergency communication system that will notify them in the event of a campus emergency

through text messages and e-mail.

Emergency Medical Service

In the case of a medical emergency, students should call the Bard Emergency Medical Service (Bard EMS)

at x7777 (845-758-7777) or Safety and Security at x7460 (845-758-7460) for transportation to Northern

Dutchess Hospital. Students under 18 must supply parental or guardian permission for treatment in the

event of an emergency. Bard’s Emergency Medical Service, a student-run organization of trained and state-

certified, first-response volunteers, responds to individual health emergencies on campus. All services are

confidential and are provided free of charge. The Dean of Students Office and residence life staff share a 24-

hour, on-call rotation to respond to any situation in which assistance is needed; a staff of professional coun-

selors and health-care workers supplements this service.

Technology

Computers are important tools for all college students, but with more than 250 public-access computers at

Bard, it is possible to survive without owning one. Bard’s Henderson Computer Resource Center supports

several multiplatform computer laboratories, including one that is open 24 hours, seven days a week. For

those students who bring a computer to Bard, the Henderson staff recommends the following minimum

capabilities:

Macintosh Minimum Configurations

Mac OS X 10.5 or greater

2GB RAM or greater

160GB hard drive or greater

CD-RW/DVD±RW dual layer

1GB or greater External Storage Device (USB key or hard drive)

MS Word/Office 2008 or later

Micromat TechTool Pro

PC Minimum Configurations

Dell Dual Core or greater

Microsoft Windows 7 or greater

3GB Ram or greater

320GB Hard Drive or greater

DVD±RW

1GB or greater External Storage Device (USB key or hard drive)

MS Word/Office 2007 or later

Antivirus software (active and up to date) annandaleonline.org/parents 16administrative and emergency information

annandaleonline.org/parents 17the extracurricular bard community

the extracurricular bard communityThe focus of student life at Bard, both inside and outside of the classroom, is on campus. From its historic

Hudson Valley setting to its state-of-the-art science and arts facilities, Bard offers an idyllic environment

where students can enjoy a rich social life interwoven with their cultural and intellectual pursuits. The

College provides a wide range of activities and opportunities for students to engage in challenging and

rewarding ways with peers, the community, and the world at large. It also provides a support system of

advisers, tutors, counselors, and related programs to help students successfully negotiate their undergrad-

uate experience.

Athletics and Recreation

Bard sponsors intercollegiate programs in men’s and women’s basketball, lacrosse, cross-country, soccer,

tennis, track and field, volleyball, and men’s squash. The College is a member of the NCAA Division III and

the Skyline Conference. In the fall of 2011, the College joined the Liberty League. Intramural and club sports

include baseball, Ultimate Frisbee, floor hockey, bowling, badminton, basketball, cycling, equestrian, indoor

soccer, softball, tennis, rugby, and more. Classes range from aerobics to yoga and tai chi to karate.

The 69,000-square-foot Stevenson Gymnasium complex opened in 1989 and is the centerpiece of Bard’s

Department of Athletics and Recreation facilities, which include the Lorenzo Ferrari Soccer and Lacrosse

Complex; basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts; a swimming pool; cardiovascular center and weight

rooms; squash courts; lighted tennis courts; and playing fields. In order to accommodate the space’s

increased use, the College broke ground in October 2011 on a $2.1 million renovation and expansion. The

first phase of the project includes a 7,500-square-foot addition featuring four new regulation squash courts

with mezzanine viewing area, new athletic department offices, a conference room, and a new entrance and

lobby area. The second phase will convert the existing squash courts into additional weight and cardio fit-

ness areas; renovate classrooms for yoga, aerobics, Pilates, and spin cycling; and improve the women’s locker

room. The renovated space serves the 16 intercollegiate programs along with club sports, intramurals, and

instructional classes; houses staff offices for the Department of Athletics and Recreation; and provides a

annandaleonline.org/parents 18the extracurricular bard community

full-service athletic training room. The expansion also adds flexible recreational space that all students, not

only team members, can utilize to exercise, train, play, and stay fit. Membership benefits are available at no

cost to Bard College students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members; membership options are

also available for local area residents.

Volunteer and Community Involvement Opportunities

Bard has a strong tradition of community engagement, which encourages students to explore and develop

leadership abilities and helps them to gain experience toward socially conscious careers. Created in 2011,

Bard’s Center for Civic Engagement supports, coordinates, and promotes the wide array of initiatives that

define Bard as a private institution in the public interest, demonstrating that an educational institution can

provide undergraduates and graduates with a first-rate education and at the same time act as a socially

entrepreneurial agent of change. The Center fosters local, national, and international partnerships to pro-

vide students with opportunities to pursue work, internships, academic interests, and community engage-

ment. For more information about the Center for Civic Engagement, go to www.bard.edu/civicengagement

or contact Associate Director of the Center for Civic Engagement/Dean of Student Affairs Erin Cannan at

cannan@bard.edu.

As part of the Center for Civic Engagement, the Trustee Leader Scholar (TLS) program helps students

develop skills that enable them to participate actively and effectively as leaders in local and global commu-

nities. TLS is a select group of students who design and implement service projects based on their own pas-

sions and interests. Examples of recent TLS projects include the New Orleans Project (more than 500 Bard

students have participated in the rebuilding of that city), mentoring in local prisons to help inmates pre-

pare for the GED exam, teaching violin lessons to low-income children in nearby towns, and running ESL

programs for migrant laborers in the Hudson Valley. Every Bard student is eligible to apply for TLS status.

Acceptances are on a rolling basis and are based primarily on the willingness and capacity of a student to

direct a large-scale project. Most TLS students remain active in the program throughout their college years.

They meet one-on-one with the program director and associate director, take part in skill-building work-

shops, and write formal project proposals, budgets, and evaluations. They are offered hands-on opportu-

nities to acquire skills in grant writing, lesson planning, and group facilitation.

Religious Services

The Chaplaincy at Bard has several chaplains on staff, including an Episcopal priest, an imam, a rabbi, and

an Anglican priest. The clergy offer study on a formal and informal basis with members of the College com-

munity who are interested in learning more about faith traditions—their own or those of others.

The Chaplaincy supports and advises the Jewish Students Organization, Muslim Students Organization,

Christian Students Fellowship, Buddhist Meditation Group, and Catholic community, in order to help stu-

dents organize and celebrate regular holy observances and to develop programming for the campus. In

addition, the clergy offer regular weekly worship:

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, St. John the Evangelist (Episcopal), Barrytown

Sunday, 12:00 noon Catholic Mass, Bard Chapel

Sunday, 7:00 p.m. Evening Worship, Bard Chapel

Monday, 7:00 p.m. Buddhist Meditation, Village A Sacred Space

Wednesday, 12 noon Healing Service, St. John the Evangelist, Barrytown

Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. Qur’anic Studies, Village A Sacred Space

Thursday, 5:00 p.m. Buddhist Meditation, Village A Sacred Space

Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Cook and bake for Shabbat, Kitchen, Basement of Village Dorm A

Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Christian Students Fellowship, Campus Center Lounge

Friday, 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services followed by Shabbat dinner, Village A

Sacred Space

Monday–Friday, 12 noon Midday Meditation, Bard Chapel

The Career Development Office

The Career Development Office (CDO), located in the Campus Center, welcomes all students with intern-

ship, job, and career-related questions. A student will often visit the CDO to seek help in writing a résumé,

looking for a summer internship, sorting out career concerns, or planning career strategies. CDO offers

Focus 2, an online assessment tool to help students explore interests, skills, values, majors, and possible

careers.

Special career events, informal talks, career-specific panels, and formal symposia are held throughout the

year to help students connect with alumni/ae and employers and to learn about various professions. CDO

also hosts a website at, www.collegecentral.com/bard, where registered students can find a wealth of infor-

mation on jobs and internships, on-campus student employment, a calendar of career events, handouts on

how to write a résumé or cover letter, tools to build a résumé online, and DVDs on job-search skills, includ-

ing interviewing.

CDO staff meet with students one-on-one throughout their college life and beyond. A career adviser will

ask a student what matters to him or her and then partner to translate a liberal arts education into mean-

ingful internships and work experiences. The mission of CDO is to help students find a professional pur-

pose and offer a clear understanding of jobs in the 21st century. The inside.bard.edu/career site presents the

entire gamut of CDO services and offers the Bard Basic Job Guide, which includes sample résumés and tips

for the job search.

The Bard–St. Stephen’s Alumni/ae Association

All students who attend Bard for at least one year are automatically part of the Bard–St. Stephen’s Alumni/ae

Association. The association’s mission is to help alumni/ae connect with each other and maintain a rela-

tionship with the College. The Board of Governors is made up of alumni/ae from all generations of Bard;

its members serve as ambassadors of the College, lead efforts to connect with alumni/ae, foster a sense of

community, and provide support to fund-raising efforts of the College. In conjunction with the Career

Development Office, the association facilitates mentoring relationships between current students, recent

graduates, and seasoned alumni/ae working in their fields. The Office of Alumni/ae Affairs generates the

Bardian, the College magazine, and maintains a dynamic social and professional networking community,

annandaleonline.org, which contains information on all national and international special events for

alumni/ae, contacts for classmates, and other alumni/ae and reunion information.

Through the generosity and leadership of a small group of alumni/ae, the new Alumni/ae Center opened

this past summer. The Center is a versatile space that provides conference and informal meeting rooms,

exhibition spaces, and offices for Bard’s alumni/ae and development programs. The Center hosts faculty and

alumni/ae events throughout the year.

annandaleonline.org/parents 19the extracurricular bard community

annandaleonline.org/parents 20health insurance / alcohol and drug policy

health insurance / alcohol and drug policy

Health Insurance

The student’s family health insurance is the primary insurance and should be a major medical plan. In addi-

tion, Bard requires all students to enroll in a supplemental insurance program, limited in scope, for acci-

dent and illness. This supplemental plan includes coverage for care by Student Health Service staff and for

all laboratory services, but it does not cover medication costs; any medications dispensed will be charged

directly to the student’s account.

Bard staff is ethically and legally required to maintain the privacy of protected health information. Under

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), no one—including family members, fac-

ulty, coaches, and employers—may be given any protected health information without the student’s writ-

ten permission.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Bard College is committed to providing a healthy learning environment that facilitates the highest level of

academic achievement and fosters the full development of all students. The community strives to support

and promote safe and legal behavioral norms and standards with respect for individual integrity coupled with

our shared responsibility to create a safe and vibrant academic environment. Every member of the com-

munity is responsible for abiding by the alcohol and drug policy and for encouraging others to do the same.

The College expects that all members of the community will, through year-round educational program-

ming and orientation events, familiarize themselves with the physical risks of and legal constraints on alco-

hol and drug use, and that they will make informed decisions regarding their own behavior. Students and

parents can access the full alcohol and drug policy in the student handbook, inside.bard.edu/doso/handbook.

money matters

Billing and Payment of Tuition and Fees

Account statements, covering tuition and fees for the term, are mailed about 20 days before each scheduled

payment date. The cost of tuition and fees is distributed over four payments, with an initial payment of

deposit at an earlier date. Payment dates are as follows:

May 1, 2012 (annual nonrefundable deposit)

June 20, 2012

July 20, 2012

November 20, 2012

December 20, 2012

The College also offers the Bard Budget Plan, an alternative payment system that allows student accounts

to be paid in 10 equal installments from June through the following March. An application form may be

obtained from the Office of Student Accounts. A four-year tuition prepayment plan is also available to

incoming first-year students who do not receive financial aid toward tuition. For those electing this option,

the tuition cost for each year is stabilized at the first-year amount; if a student withdraws from the College,

the excess credit balance is refundable.

All enrolled students must attend the financial clearance session scheduled at the start of each semester in

order to confirm their enrollment and have their identification cards validated. Students who anticipate

arriving after that date should contact the Bursar’s Office in advance. Students who do not attend to the

enrollment confirmation requirement are assumed not to be enrolled and their registrations and campus

housing will be cancelled. Payment of a $100 fee must accompany requests for reenrollment. Students and

parents or guardians are responsible for keeping the Office of Student Accounts informed, in writing, of their

correct billing address.

annandaleonline.org/parents 21money matters

Financial Aid

Generally speaking, there are three forms of financial assistance for students: grants, loans, and federal

work-study funds. Financial aid is awarded by Bard on the basis of need, academic achievement, and prom-

ise. The College is committed to helping as many qualified candidates as its funds will allow. In recent years

approximately two-thirds of all students have received some financial aid. Need is determined annually by

the U.S. Department of Education, the College Scholarship Service of the College Board, and Bard College.

In order to qualify for financial aid, students must submit the appropriate forms annually; it is important to meet

application deadlines. More detailed information on specific financial aid programs and application dates

is available on the Bard College website at www.bard.edu/financialaid.

Through the administration of its financial aid program—supported by the College’s endowment, schol-

arship programs, and parent and alumni/ae contributions—Bard assists approximately two thirds of its

students. Tuition alone only covers approximately 60 percent of the cost of a Bard education, which is why

the College relies on the generosity of alumni/ae, parents, and friends to ensure that the quality of a Bard

education is maintained.

Work Opportunities

Many work opportunities are available on campus. Students interested in campus jobs are encouraged to

explore options listed on Bard’s website. The Financial Aid Office keeps an up-to-date list of job openings

on and off campus. The Federal Work-Study Program runs throughout the academic year and typically

pays students for 8 to 10 hours of work per week.

The Career Development Office also helps Bard students in preparing a résumé, searching for a summer job

or internship, and identifying career goals. An online job board at www.collegecentral.com/bard lists vol-

unteer opportunities, internships, seasonal jobs, and part- and full-time positions.

Purchasing Books and Supplies

The bookstore, located in the Bertelsmann Campus Center, stocks all books and supplies required for course

work (including many used books) and a wide selection of general books and supplies. The bookstore staff

are able to special-order any book in print. Students may purchase required textbooks following registra-

tion, once their class schedules are finalized.

Most students use credit cards to purchase books; the bookstore also accepts cash, money orders, travelers’

checks, and bank checks made out to Bard College. The student identification card may also serve as a debit

card, provided an account is established with the Office of Student Accounts. For more information, con-

tact the Office of Student Accounts.

On average, books and supplies for undergraduate programs cost between $500 and $600 per semester (less

for used books). Textbooks are ordered from requisitions submitted by the faculty. Shelf cards indicate how

many books are required for the course and whether a book is optional. Students should always check the

instructor’s syllabus as well as the shelf-card course and section number to be sure that they purchase the

right books. While the bookstore’s refund policy protects students in the event of a schedule change, stu-

dents should not purchase books for any course they might drop.

annandaleonline.org/parents 22money matters

annandaleonline.org/parents 23parents network

transportation on and off campus

Physical Plant Office: 758-7007 or trans@bard.edu

When school is in session, a free shuttle bus is available from campus to Red Hook and to Tivoli, from early

morning through late evening, seven days a week. Shuttles are also available to the Hudson Valley Mall in

Kingston. On weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) transportation is available to and from the

Poughkeepsie (Metro-North) and Rhinecliff (Amtrak) railroad stations. Special train shuttles are available

for the opening of school, Thanksgiving break, winter intersession, spring break, and school closing. In

addition, Bard also offers shuttles to Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Albany airports at the beginning of the afore-

mentioned breaks. Unless otherwise specified, all trips leave from the Kline Commons parking lot. Schedule

information is available for all of the above shuttles at inside.bard.edu/community/transport/. Updated

transportation information is sent via e-mail to all students one month prior to school breaks.

Schedule Information

Amtrak: Train service to and from Rhinecliff, New York, and Penn Station, New York City

800-USARAIL | www.amtrak.com

Trailways: Bus service to and from Kingston, New York, and Port Authority, New York City

845-331-0744 | www.trailways.com

Metro-North:Train service to and from Poughkeepsie, New York, and Grand Central Terminal, New York City

800-METROINFO | www.mta.info/mnr

Loop Bus: Bus service to and from Tivoli, New York, and Poughkeepsie, New York

845-485-4690 | www.co.dutchess.ny.us/quicklinks/transportation/htm

“Loop at a Glance” available at inside.bard.edu/transportation

annandaleonline.org/parents 24parents network

Cars on Campus

A car is not necessary for students at Bard. Social, academic, and athletic events take place on campus within

walking distance of residence halls. Bard encourages biking and alternative methods of transportation on

campus as part of the College’s commitment to the environment. Students who bring cars must register

them with the Bard Security Office. Parking on campus is free in designated areas.

Bard has a student-run foot and bicycle patrol service to escort students walking at night. The campus’s

walking paths are well maintained, and the beautiful scenery makes walking and biking a pleasure. Main

paths are well lighted and feature yellow security telephones at regular intervals. Bard security officers patrol

the campus and can transport students who need help getting around.

Bicycle Policy

As a walking and biking campus, many students bring bicycles for use during warm weather. Bicycles should

be secured with standard bike locks. If a bike cannot be brought back to the residence hall, it should be

locked and secured on a bike rack. Bikes should not be secured to trees, fences, or any other similar struc-

ture. Bard provides a limited amount of indoor bike storage for winter break, as bikes stored in hallways pose

a fire safety hazard.

Any bicycle not properly placed in a bicycle rack may be removed. The Buildings and Grounds Office, in

coordination with the Safety and Security Office, will remove bicycles that are improperly secured to build-

ings, trees, light poles, or that block access or exit from buildings (including hallways). The College is not

responsible for damaged locks. Students should contact security to reclaim their bikes. Bicycles left on cam-

pus during the summer months will be considered abandoned. These bicycles will be collected and donated

to charity or recycled. Once a bicycle is redistributed by security, the bicycle cannot be reclaimed by the

original owner.

Zipcar at Bard

Bard College has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to campus. To use

Zipcars, a student simply registers as a Zipcar member, reserves a car online or by phone, uses his or her

Zipcard to enter the car, and drives away. The car is returned to the same location where it was picked it up.

Member benefits include:

Access to Zipcars 24/7

Discounted hourly rates for students age 18 and older—rates start at just $8 per hour

Gas, insurance, and maintenance are included

Join for only $35 a year, and receive $35 in driving credit your first month.

annandaleonline.org/parents 25parents network

travel to bard

Bard College is located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, on the east bank of the Hudson River, about

90 miles north of New York City; 60 miles south of Albany, New York; 100 miles west of Hartford,

Connecticut; and 220 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts.

By Automobile

From southern Connecticut, follow I-84 to the Taconic State Parkway, take the Taconic north to the Red

Hook/Route 199 exit, drive west on Route 199 through the Village of Red Hook to Route 9G, turn right onto

Route 9G, and drive north 1.6 miles. At traffic light, turn left into the Bard campus.

From northern Connecticut, take Route 44 to Route 199 at Millerton, New York, drive west on Route 199,

and proceed as from southern Connecticut.

From Massachusetts and northern New England, take the Massachusetts Turnpike to Exit B-2 (Taconic

Parkway), take the Taconic south to the Red Hook/Route 199 exit, and proceed as from southern

Connecticut.

From New York City, New Jersey, and points south, take the New York State Thruway to Exit 19 (Kingston),

take Route 209 north (changes to Route 199 at the Hudson River) over the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge to

Route 9G at the second light, turn left onto Route 9G, and drive north 3.5 miles. At traffic light, turn left

into the Bard campus.

From Albany and points north and west, take the New York State Thruway to Exit 19 and proceed as from

New York City.

By Air

Bard is accessible from Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City, and from the airports in Newark,

New Jersey; Albany, New York; and Newburgh, New York. When students are leaving campus for holidays

and recesses, Bard runs a shuttle to Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Albany airports.

By Rail

Amtrak provides service from Penn Station in New York City and from Albany, New York to Rhinecliff,

New York, about nine miles south of Bard. Metro-North provides service from Grand Central Terminal in

New York City to Poughkeepsie, New York, about 25 miles south of Bard. Taxi service is available at both

local stations.

annandaleonline.org/parents 26parents network

local businesses

Please visit the following links to find information on local places of lodging, restaurants, shopping, and

tourist attractions:

In Red Hook: www.redhookchamber.org

In Tivoli: www.chamberofcommerce.com/tivoli-ny

In Rhinebeck: www.rhinebeckchamber.com

In Kingston: www.ulsterchamber.org

We’d also like to thank the following local businesses for donating gift certificates, coupons, and merchan-

dise to help Bard with its fund-raising efforts. We are grateful for their generosity and support.

CJ’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

353 Old Post Road, Rhinebeck

845-876-7711

www.cjsrhinebeck.com

Culinary Institute of America

1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park

845-471-6608

www.ciachef.edu

Four restaurants, reservations required;

dine-in, take-out bakery café

Four Brothers Pizza

3803 Route 9G, Rhinebeck

845-876-3131

www.fourbrotherspizzainn.com

Griffs Southside Deli

7361 South Broadway, Red Hook

845-758-0758

Hana Sushi

7270 South Broadway, Red Hook

845-758-4333

www.hana-sushi.com

Moderately priced Japanese cuisine

Max’s Memphis BBQ

South Broadway, Red Hook

845-758-MAXS

www.maxsbbq.com

Omega Institute

150 Lake Drive, Rhinebeck

845-266-4301

eomega.org

Spiritual / health workshops, conferences,

and retreats

Osaka Japanese Restaurant

74 Broadway, Tivoli

845-757-5055

www.osakasushi.net

Sante Fe

52 Broadway, Tivoli

845-757-4100

www.santefetivoli.com

Terrapin Restaurant

6426 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck

845-876-3330

www.terrapinrestaurant.com

Creative and modern cuisine

Two Boots Pizzeria

4606 Route 9G, Red Hook

845-758-0010

Village Pizza III

7514 N. Broadway, Red Hook

845-758-5808

Windham Mountain Ski Area

33 Clarence D. Lane Road, Windham

800-754-9463

www.windhammountain.com

release of student information

Parents, please note:

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Bard College does not

release information about a student’s academic records to anyone other than the student unless:

(i) the student has signed a consent form, allowing his/her records to be released to the individual(s)

named in the release; or

(ii) the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes by either of his/her parents, in which case

information about the student’s record may be released to either parent (regardless of which is the

custodial parent).

If you would like to receive information about your son or daughter’s academic record, please complete

the bottom half of this form and return it to: Office of the Registrar, Bard College, PO Box 5000,

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000

Information will be sent at the discretion of the Dean of the College and upon request.

To the Registrar:

(i) I, , a student at Bard College, hereby waive my right of

exclusive access to my academic record and authorize the Office of the Registrar to release infor-

mation about it to the person(s) named below.

Signed: Dated:

(student)

(ii) I, , a student at Bard College, was claimed last year as

a dependent for tax purposes by one or both of my parents. A signed copy of my parent(s)’s most

recent federal tax return, showing the list of exemptions on the first page, is:

Check one: n enclosed

n on file with the Bard College Office of Financial Aid

Signed: Dated:

(parent/guardian)

Please send information to:

This waiver applies only to the academic year in which it is signed. A new form must be filed at the

start of each academic year. Please note that criteria sheets (narrative evaluations) are released only to

students.

annandaleonline.org/parents 27release of student information

“We are extremely pleased that our daughter, Abigail, is a member

of Bard’s graduating Class of 2012, as our son, Hal, is also a Bardian,

Class of 2007. Having two Bard alumni/ae children allows us a

somewhat exceptional perspective. Hal concentrated in film and

electronic arts and Abby in biology, and although these fields are, in

a sense, on opposite ends of the spectrum, in many regards their

experiences at Bard were equivalent. Both our son’s and our daugh-

ter’s departments welcomed them as active participants in their

communities while providing educational opportunities that, in our

opinion, are second to none. As a result, we have given—and will

continue to give—back to Bard.”

—larry fuchsman and janet strain

annandaleonline.org/parents