We will update this page regularly with announcements related to the pandemic, as well as changes to Bard's regular operations.
Visit the Health Services Website for
COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines
Information for:
Announcements
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May19
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May05
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Apr30
A Message about Summer and Fall Operations at Bard
Tuesday, May 19, 2020A COVID-19 Update
To the Bard College Community:Over the weekend, New York State began the process of phased reopenings by region. Several other regions in the state have met all seven of the State-mandated metrics for reopening, but the Mid-Hudson Region, which includes Dutchess County, has not. Accordingly, Bard and the surrounding area will remain on PAUSE until at least May 28 or until the region meets all of the required metrics. We therefore must continue to adhere to the strict social distancing and safety protocols outlined in the PAUSE Act, including wearing masks or face coverings in public where social distancing is not possible, and no gatherings of more than ten people. As we approach May 28, New York State and county officials will determine if the Mid-Hudson Region is able to enter phase one of reopening. More information about our region’s progress towards reopening is on the NY Forward website.
Once the Mid-Hudson Region is cleared to begin reopening, it will do so in four phases, as directed by State and local officials. Bard is adjusting our summer programs to the expected reopening timelines outlined by the governor. If our region meets and maintains progress on the State-required metrics, Bard and other educational institutions in the Mid-Hudson region will be cleared to return gradually to in-person operations as the summer progresses. We are planning for that likelihood, which includes welcoming first-year students to campus in August. Again, we will adjust to government regulations, public health guidelines, and changing circumstances as necessary.
We will continue to update the community as we move forward through our summer programs to Language and Thinking and the start of the fall semester. We will also continue to post regular updates to Bard's COVID-19 Response website. Please continue to check Bard Connects for a wide array of engagement opportunities, including the opportunity to become a contact tracer for the Mid-Hudson Region.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Alexander Murphy, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
E-mail: responseteam@bard.edu
A Message about the Fall Semester
Wednesday, May 13, 2020A COVID-19 Update
To the Bard College Community:As you know from our previous updates, Bard is planning to open its fall semester for in-person courses and a return to campus life. How this reopening is implemented will be determined largely by Federal and NY State authorities. The College is now in the process of working with state and local government and health officials to develop detailed plans for fall. These plans will employ federal guidelines, state mandates, and the commitment and creativity of our faculty, administration, and staff to support student and employee safety while maintaining the high educational standards for which Bard is known.
The New York State PAUSE order remains in effect through this Friday, May 15. After that date, NY State will issue reopening guidelines by region. In the next week we expect to receive initial state guidance on local reopening protocols, including specific guidelines for institutions of higher education. The guidelines will evolve in the coming weeks, and Bard will adapt our plans to them and to public health requirements as they are received. These plans will address such issues as testing and monitoring, social distancing, cleaning and sanitation, extracurricular activity planning, protocols for special populations including immuno-compromised students and employees, and mental health. We look forward to welcoming colleagues and students back to campus as soon as it is safe to do so, but our plans will also consider that some students and faculty might not be able to return to campus. We will let all of our students and families know as soon as possible what processes will be put into place to ensure a safe and successful return.
The Mid-Hudson region has not yet met all of the metrics required by New York State to be considered for reopening, but our hope is that those metrics will be met soon and the state government will approve the region for phased reopening. The College is on track to have a robust incoming class of first-year students, and we are planning to begin the Language & Thinking program on time, in August.
Recognizing Bard’s role as the area’s largest employer and key educational and cultural resource, it is our aim to postpone or cancel as few activities as possible.
We will continue to update the community as we move forward through our summer programs to Language and Thinking and the start of the fall semester. We will be posting regular updates to our COVID-19 Response website, and hope to answer most of your questions there as well as through these periodic updates. Please also continue to check Bard Connects for a wide array of engagement opportunities.
We appreciate the generosity of spirit and commitment to hard work Bard faculty, staff, and students continue to display as we look forward to the coming academic year.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Alexander Murphy, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
A Message about Plans for Reopening Campus
Tuesday, May 5, 2020A COVID-19 Update
To the Bard College Community:Federal, State, and local government authorities are starting to plan for reopening, and so too is Bard’s Response Team, which has been coordinating with these officials to manage the college’s response to the pandemic. The Response Team will continue this coordination to maintain best practices for the health and safety of our community as we plan for summer programs, our rescheduled Commencement & Reunion weekend, and the fall semester.
Reopening will be an incremental process driven by government requirements, which are currently under development. The governor of New York has established the New York Forward Reopening Advisory Board, which includes representatives from institutions of higher education, to guide the state’s decisions. In addition to the state’s Reopening Advisory Board, our Regional Economic Development Council will help guide our planning, as will the Hudson Valley Reopening Working Group and Dutchess County leadership. We are in close communication with all of these entities.
The governor plans to reopen the state by region, as determined by key metrics including decreases in new infections, health care capacity, and testing and tracing capacity. Within each region, reopening will occur in four progressive phases. Currently it appears that the governor intends to include arts and education as the final phase of each region’s reopening.
The governor has also announced that colleges will need to have an operating plan for reopening once the region is cleared to do so. Bard’s Response Team will assist in developing the College’s plan, with the help of local and regional health providers. Because this plan involves preparing for the fall semester, we have expanded the Response Team to include the Chair of the Faculty Senate. Additionally, the Chair of the faculty Executive Committee has been invited to assist with Response Team planning.
We will do as much as we can now to plan and prepare for the coming months. However, the uncertainty of our current situation will raise many questions as circumstances evolve and state and local governments refine their approaches. Together we will work through these challenges.
The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, of which Bard is a member, is organizing an e-advocacy campaign to encourage our representatives in the House and Senate to include higher education in the Federal government's response to COVID. Some measures in the financial assistance being offered explicitly exclude not-for-profit institutions, including colleges and universities. All members of the Bard community are welcome to participate in the campaign and call your representative to lend your voice.
We are fortunate to be able to draw on our collective strengths and creativity over the coming months as we respond to new developments. We are also drawing on the insights of our peer institutions in New York State and across the country. In the midst of this crisis, we are impressed with the generosity of spirit and ingenuity we see in the community, which will serve us well in the coming months. In an effort to help reduce uncertainty where we can, we are developing a list of FAQs that we will share in the coming days.
Please continue to check the college's COVID-19 page for the latest information and updates, and Bard Connects for a wide array of engagement opportunities.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Alexander Murphy, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President/Director, Center for Civic Engagement
Barbara-Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
E-mail: responseteam@bard.edu
A Message from President Botstein about Commencement 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020A COVID-19 Update
To the Bard College community:I hope everyone is safe and well and continues to be so.
I am happy to announce, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Bard College, that the 2020 Commencement & Alumni/ae Reunion have been rescheduled for the weekend of August 22, 2020.
That weekend will be designated the 2020 Commencement Weekend. Commencement will take place at the regular time on Saturday August 22. On the days preceding August 22 there will be a Senior Dinner, a Baccalaureate service, and the annual Alumni/ae Awards ceremony and student concert. After Commencement, on Sunday August 23, the annual memorial service will take place. All of these events are part of Bard's traditional annual commencement exercises.
Details on the exact schedule and arrangements, including the protocols and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic mandated by local and state authorities, will be sent out before July 1, 2020. We will have to make adjustments to comply with essential restrictions in force at the time of the events.
I am pleased that we have found a date to reschedule Commencement, and I hope that members of the class of 2020, and as many members of their families as possible will be able to attend. For those who are unable to attend, we will do our best to arrange creative surrogates for streaming, including the possibility of a virtual receipt of a diploma.
I look forward to celebrating the class of 2020 and welcoming alumni/ae back to campus at the end of August.
Best wishes,
Leon Botstein
President
E-mail: responseteam@bard.edu
Students
The student body of Bard College has demonstrated resilience in the face of the stress and challenges of the pandemic. Our seniors, in particular, have shown exceptional work ethic and care for each other as they have completed their Senior Projects and grappled with the loss of their final semester and the postponement of Commencement. Our incoming students, the Class of 2024, will begin their college experience in an unprecedented and uncertain time. Bard is here to support you all. Whether you are graduating from Bard and preparing to launch a career, or eager to be on campus and wondering what the fall semester will hold, we encourage you to reach out to us and take advantage of all the resources Bard has to offer.
Bard Connects
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Stay Connected
Visit the Bard Connects website to see how academics and campus services have gone online, and learn how you can stay connected.
Bard Connects
Academics
Remote Learning
The Bard Connects website has a suite of tools to facilitate online learning, as well as robust remote resources from the Learning Commons and the Bard Library.
Don't hesitate to contact your academic adviser or your dean for support in this difficult time. Find your dean and get information about advising on the Dean of Studies website. For information about registration, academic records, and student forms, visit the Registrar's Office website.
Pass/Fail Grading Policy Change
(From Dean of the College Deirdre d'Albertis, March 2020)
I am writing to update you on grading policies for classes this spring. Normal deadlines for pass/fail have been waived by the Executive Committee of the faculty. If you feel that you would be better served by taking any of your classes Pass/Fail/D please let me know and I can contact the faculty and update your record. A “pass” does not factor into your grade point average, and this will have no impact on your academic progress (pass courses count fully toward the degree and can be used to meet distributional requirements). If you are thinking about taking a course in your major pass/fail please check with your adviser before doing so.
There is no need to rush into this decision. The option is open to you now, and will remain open throughout the semester. Bard has no limit on the number of pass/fail classes a student can take: the College observes a P/F/D system so that a pass is C or better and will transfer, while a D or F will not. This is noted in the transcript key.
Accepted Students
How is COVID-19 affecting the enrollment process at Bard College? Should I plan to be on campus in the fall? Will my financial aid or tuition change? The Office of Admission answers these questions and more on their website. They also offer a series of virtual events and webinars about Bard. Visit the Accepted Students page to learn more.
Career Development
The Career Development Office is offering a series of online webinars, including talks with expert career advisers about job searching during the pandemic, as well as industry-specific panels with Bard alumni/ae. As always, the CDO staff provides career counseling and job and internship guidance. Reach out at 845-758-7539 or email at cdo@bard.edu. For online resources, including a jobs board, assessment tools, and career guides, visit the CDO website.
Commencement
Bard College will hold its 160th commencement on Saturday, August 22, 2020. The celebration has been rescheduled from its original date of May 23 in response to COVID-19. The weekend of August 21–23 will be Bard's Commencement and Reunion Weekend.
On the days preceding August 22 there will be a Senior Dinner, a Baccalaureate service, and the annual Alumni/ae Awards ceremony and student concert. After Commencement, on Sunday August 23, the annual memorial service will take place. All of these events are part of Bard's traditional annual commencement exercises.
Details on the exact schedule and arrangements, including the protocols and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic mandated by local and state authorities, will be announced before July 1.
Fall Semester
New York State has begun the process of phased reopenings by region. Several other regions in the state have met all seven of the State-mandated metrics for reopening, but the Mid-Hudson Region, which includes Dutchess County, has not. Accordingly, Bard and the surrounding area will remain on PAUSE until at least May 28 or until the region meets all of the required metrics. We therefore must continue to adhere to the strict social distancing and safety protocols outlined in the PAUSE Act, including wearing masks or face coverings in public where social distancing is not possible, and no gatherings of more than ten people. As we approach May 28, New York State and county officials will determine if the Mid-Hudson Region is able to enter phase one of reopening. More information about our region’s progress towards reopening is on the NY Forward website.
Once the Mid-Hudson Region is cleared to begin reopening, it will do so in four phases, as directed by State and local officials. Bard is adjusting our summer programs to the expected reopening timelines outlined by the governor. If our region meets and maintains progress on the State-required metrics, Bard and other educational institutions in the Mid-Hudson region will be cleared to return gradually to in-person operations as the summer progresses. We are planning for that likelihood, which includes welcoming first-year students to campus in August. Again, we will adjust to government regulations, public health guidelines, and changing circumstances as necessary.
We will continue to update the community as we move forward through our summer programs to Language and Thinking and the start of the fall semester.
Finances
Tuition, Room and Board for 2020–21
Upon the recommendation of the Administration, the Board of Trustees has voted to keep the cost of tuition at the 2019–20 level for the coming academic year. Room and board fees, however, will be raised by the anticipated cost of 2.5 percent.
Financial Aid
Given the unique circumstances presented to us this year, students may request additional funding if their family has been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please make a request to the Financial Aid Office in writing to finaid@bard.edu. Provide as many specifics as possible. For example, for COVID-19–related job reductions or losses, Financial Aid needs the following information:
a. The date of the change.This information will help us to understand and quantify the income loss to the student's family. Applicants are welcome to add any other pertinent information. Please submit any questions to the Financial Aid Office. The staff hopes to have monthly reviews, with the first taking place at the end of May. And as always, appeals may be requested for other changes in financial circumstances, as well.
b. The gross income amount per week/month prior to the loss of employment. If a reduction, what is the new amount.
c. Is there eligibility for any unemployment and, if so, how much per week, including the CARES act supplement.
d. Was there any severance pay granted, and if so, how much.
e. Is the loss a temporary one, and if so, what is the expected date of reemployment. If it is a permanent loss of employment, please specify that.
Health, Counseling, and Wellness
Services During the Pandemic
- Health ServicesIn response to the current circumstances, Health Services will be providing services largely via phone. Please call 845-758-7433 to speak with one of our health care professionals.
- Counseling ServicesBard Counseling is offering teletherapy. Please email counselingservice@bard.edu to set up an appointment. In addition, the Counseling staff is offering a weekly column on mental health during COVID-19, and they have added a page of virtual mental health resources.
- Wellness ServicesBard Wellness has added a host of virtual programming during the pandemic, including meditation, peer health open hours, and "Show and Tail" (virtual Dog Days). Visit the Wellness website for details.
Moving Out or Retrieving Belongings
Bard College students had the option, in March, of choosing to remain on campus or depart. About 3/4 of the student body left campus. Bard College has remained open for those who need to stay on campus for personal or academic reasons, and understands and supports the decision by those who could do so to return home. Students have the option to store or ship their belongings. Students who left items on campus and wish to return to retrieve them must email responseteam@bard.edu to receive permission.
Please visit the Office of Residence Life and Housing website for more information about moving out and retrieving items left behind.
Student Services
Many campus offices are offering special remote services during the pandemic, including advising; health, counseling, and wellness; career development, student activities, the Learning Commons, the library, and more. Visit the Bard Connects website for a complete list of special services and modified campus office hours. Bard Connects also has information about financial assistance, supplemental food service, campus deliveries, virtual events, and civic engagement opportunities.
Faculty and Staff
The Bard College faculty and staff have undertaken extraordinary efforts to adapt to remote learning and student services. The faculty has been resourceful and creative in moving to remote instruction and student advising. Much of the staff has had to adapt quickly to remote work, and many essential employees have remained on campus to support our students and maintain our facilities. All have continued to offer the kind of one-on-one attention to students that is the hallmark of a Bard education. Bard's traditions and ethos have enabled the College to respond effectively and imaginatively to the challenging and shifting circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Course Continuity
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Resources for Remote Instruction
There are a number of online tools available on campus that faculty can leverage to keep connected to students during this disruption to campus life. Establishing a communication plan and maintaining consistent contact with students are key. Please visit the Bard Information Technology website to learn about remote teaching.
Course Continuity
Center for Faculty and Curricular Development
The CFCD supports and advocates for the professional development and pedagogical initiatives of the faculty. The CFCD website has a wealth of information about teaching at Bard, including a series of online workshops about teaching during the pandemic.
Office of the Dean of the College
The Office of the Dean of the College addresses COVID-19 academic planning on the DOC website, including:
- Pass/fail/D grading policy for spring 2020
- Fall semester academic planning, course structure, and campus facilities use
- Tenure clock extension
- Suspension of CAFE forms for spring 2020 semester and alternative student feedback template
- The new fall 2020 Common Courses
Employee Resources
The Office of Human Resources at Bard offers a range of support for Bard staff and faculty during this challenging time. Visit the HR website for information. See especially the COVID-19 Employee Resources (PDF) with details about insurance, employee assistance, and public health resources and guidelines.
Working Remotely
The transition to remote work can be a challenge, particularly for those who have not done it before. Below please suggestions and resources for successfully working from home. Reach out to Human Resources Director Kimm Alexander at kalexand@bard.edu and let her know what is working well for you and your team or discuss any challenges you are facing.
Remote Work Basics
To be successful and ensure performance and productivity do not suffer, please:
- Ensure you have an internet connection.
- Have your calls forwarded to your cell phone or check voicemail remotely (additional information can be found here).
- Download teleconferencing software so you can hold and attend meetings.
- Log into your email and calendar daily.
- Ensure you can access applications and files remotely.
- Think of projects you can complete at home that you may not have had time to complete in the office.
- Set up a defined workspace as free from distractions as possible. For some, working from home can be an opportunity to focus and get a lot accomplished without the distractions of the office or long commute. However, this kind of arrangement comes with a great amount of responsibility and its own set of challenges.
- Get clear expectations and priorities for your work from your manager/supervisor.
- Collaborate with your manager/supervisor to determine a work plan of tasks and projects.
- Build flexibility into your schedule.
- Check in with your supervisor at least once per day.
- Stay connected with your coworkers and coordinate workloads.
- Make sure you have what you need to be successful working remotely.
- Follow the appropriate steps for the treatment and storage of confidential and sensitive information.
- Set expectations with family and friends.
- Be sure to focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Beware of isolation. Because most people tend to focus on the potential advantages of staying at home, they are completely surprised by how isolated a remote work arrangement can feel. They may not have anticipated how much willpower and self-discipline it takes to be productive when the temptations of home are just a few feet away. Supervisors, too, find the adjustment difficult. They tend to be uneasy when their staff members are not in sight at all times, even if deadlines are met and productivity is maintained. Some staff members feel concerned that being out of their supervisor's line of sight removes them from opportunities.
- Accessibility. Off-site staff members should be accessible during specified periods or within a reasonable amount of time. Some staff members use cell phones to facilitate access, others schedule specific communication times.
- Accommodate changes in circumstances. When jobs change, either in their nature or in their relationship with the overall objectives of a department, aspects of the remote work arrangement may have to be adjusted.
Being Productive While Working Remotely
and
Tips for Higher Education Professionals Working from Home during the Coronavirus
Please find below a resource listing from the Center for Civic Engagement with links to many services that are available to the community, as well as ways to become involved.
Alumni/ae, Families, and Friends
We have been heartened by the outpouring of support and inquiries from Bard alumni/ae, families, and friends who want to support our students in this difficult time. You may choose to designate your gift to support the Student Emergency Fund. You may also select the Dean's Discretionary Fund / Face Shields to support Bard staff and faculty who are making face shields for regional health care workers. Learn more about that effort here. Thank you for your support!
For Families
We are grateful to all our Bard families for their patience and flexibility in this challenging time. Many have reached out with kind messages, phone calls, and valuable feedback as the College has been adapting and moving forward through the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we may be communicating with each other at a distance these days, the Bard community remains strong.
We encourage you to stay in close touch with the Bard Family Network. Read the Annandale Insider, follow us on social media, and don't hesitate to reach out to Lindsay Davis Carr '06, Assistant Director of Development / Family Programs, at lcarr@bard.edu or 845-758-7152.
Helpful Websites for Bard Families
Please visit Bard Connects, a new website dedicated to helping our community stay connected. This website brings together virtual resources from offices across the College for Bard students around the globe, including links to academic resources, health and wellness, and civic engagement. Bard Connects and this COVID-19 page are updated regularly, so please visit often. Dutchess County has also released a COVID-19 Dashboard showing the evolving state of the virus in the Hudson Valley region.
Commencement and Reunion Weekend
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August 21–23, 2020
Bard College will hold its 160th commencement on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Commencement and Reunion Weekend events will take place August 21–23. Details on the exact schedule and arrangements, including the protocols and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic mandated by local and state authorities, will be announced before July 1.
Visit the Commencement Page
Community and Events
Public Events at Bard
Given the state of emergency for COVID-19, many campus events have been postponed, canceled, or moved online. Visit the campus calendar to browse virtual events. Bard continues to offer virtual performances, lectures, and conferences—many of them free—and we welcome and encourage our neighbors to join us.
Center for Civic Engagement
The Center for Civic Engagement continues to develop and support robust virtual and in-person community responses to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Bard students, staff, and faculty remain civically engaged and many continue to volunteer in the community. Bardians have been making masks and face shields, delivering groceries, writing letters to senior citizens, and connecting with our neighbors virtually. Please visit the CCE website to see how Bard is staying connected with the community, and contact us to suggest engagement initiatives.