Room Change Forms available (Due Thur, 9/25)

Room Change Request forms are now available (PDF download) on the Residential Life & Housing website (barnard.edu/reslife/roomchanges/). This will be your one chance to apply for a room change prior to the Spring Room Change Request process in December.

If you'd like to apply for a room change, please submit the request form to the RL&H Office (110 Sulzberger) no later than 12noon on Thursday, 9/25.

WHAT IF THERE IS A VACANCY IN MY ROOM/SUITE OR MY ROOMMATE/SUITEMATE GETS A ROOM CHANGE?
You will more than likely be assigned a new roommate/suitemate. If you know someone specific who is interested in moving into that vacant space and submits a Room Change Request form requesting so, you should submit a Roommate/Suitemate Request form (available at
barnard.edu/reslife/roomchanges/) to the RL&H Office by 12noon on Thursday, 9/25. The names and signatures of all roommates and/or suitemates must be on the form. No late forms will be accepted. Also, please note that not all applicants will receive a room change (so your roommate/suitemate may not get a room change).

For more information and a list of important dates related to the Room Change process, please visit barnard.edu/reslife/roomchanges/.

Residence Hall Windows

Residential Life & Housing has received several questions about windows in the residence halls.

Please know that window stoppers are installed in the windows of the residence halls as a safety precaution (these prevent the window from opening more than approximately 6-8 inches). Window stoppers are installed in many NYC apartments and college campuses to provide an extra measure of safety for the residents.

Please ensure that you do not remove or tamper with the window stoppers in your window(s). Any student that is found to have done so will be subject to disciplinary action and fined a minimum of $100.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Associate Director.

Onika Jervis, ojervis@barnard.edu (600, 616, 620)
Janett Cordoves, jcordoves@barnard.edu (Plimpton, 110th, CG)
Amy Leo, aleo@barnard.edu (Hewitt, Elliott, Sulz Tower)
Steve Tolman, stolman@barnard.edu (Sulzberger, Reid, Brooks)

First-Year-Focus Best Dressed Space Contest

Greetings First-Years!

The annual FYF Best Dressed Space contest is coming up soon!  You can pick up an application from the Residential Life Office (110 Sulzberger) or simply print the application form (PDF).

The overall winners will receive theatre tickets to any Broadway show that College Activities sells tickets to!  Applications for the contest must be submitted by 5pm on 9/19 to the Residential Life Office.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.  Good luck!  

Steve Tolman (Associate Director, Residential Life & Housing)

Storm Precautions

All local weather forecasts have indicated that our area will experience thunderstorms from Friday afternoon through late Saturday as the remnants of Hanna reach the NY area. The forecast also includes periods of heavy rain and high winds.

Please know that the Facilities staff are already preparing our campus for this nasty weather, and there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact on you, and save you from having to be outside in the rain:

1. If you are in need of any medication, please call-in your refills for pick-up tomorrow morning.
2. If you or your suitemates are in need of any specific food, make a trip to your grocery store of choice before tomorrow afternoon.
3. Close your windows during periods of rain and heavy winds. If it is too warm in your room, crack your window open rather than opening it all the way to avoid getting your personal items and the inside of your room soaked. If possible, have suitemates open their windows just a crack as well to allow a cross breeze in your rooms.
4. If winds become heavy, please do not sit next to your window.
5. Make sure that you have NO items in your window or on the window sill that can fall outside or inside and cause damage or injury.
6. If you are using your computer during bad weather, make sure you are saving your work frequently - just in case we lose power for any period of time.
7. If you are traveling, please give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination - subway and bus schedules may run behind during times of heave rain.

Residential Life, Public Safety and Facilities will all have staff on campus and able to respond to any issues that may arise. Have a good weekend and stay safe and dry!

Cot / Vacuum / TV rentals in the Quad

The following items are available for Quad residents to check out between 8-11pm every day.

• Cots
• Vacuum Cleaners
• TV and VCR/DVD cart

To check out these items, please come to the Sulzberger Front Desk and ask the Desk Attendant to contact the Resident Assistant on Duty for you. You will need to show your Barnard ID and leave a $20 deposit to borrow any of these items for a maximum 24 hour period.

Room (and Suite) Condition Reports

To non-First Year Students:

You are probably familiar with the Room Condition Reports (RCR) and Suite Condition Reports (SCR) that Residential Life & Housing uses. The RCRs and SCRs are used to determine if a student caused damage to the room at the end of the year. Any new damage that was not originally on the RCR/SCR when the student moved in is charged back to the student(s) at the end of the year.

You will have until Tuesday, September 9th to meet with your RA to view and sign your RCR and/or SCR. When you meet with her, your RA will enable to you compare your RCR/SCR to your room and you will be able to note any damages that our staff may have missed when completing the form. You MUST arrange a time with your RA by 9/9/08 to do so, or else you will be unable to verify the condition of your room and will be responsible for the RCR/SCR as is.

Important Information About Your Computer Use at Barnard College

As a new academic year begins, and we are all settling into new routines, we want to bring to your attention a serious matter that is all too often not given a second thought until it is too late -- the illegal downloading of music off the Internet.

According to U.S. copyright law, it is illegal both to upload and download copyrighted music, pictures, software, or written text without permission. In other words, even if you never download a single song off the Internet, but merely upload, say, legally purchased songs to a file-sharing program, you can still be found in violation of the law.

And the penalties are severe. Criminal penalties for first-time offenders can be as high as five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Civil penalties can run into the many thousands of dollars in damages and legal fees. The minimum penalty is $750 per song.

Since 2007, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has increased its efforts to monitor peer-to-peer file sharing of copyrighted music on college campuses, and the College has, in fact, been receiving an increasing number of "settlement letters," identifying the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of students whom the RIAA believes have unlawfully downloaded copyrighted music. These letters offer to settle legal claims without litigation for a sum of money. If the individual does not settle, or does not respond to the letter, the RIAA brings a lawsuit against the student.

Legal action brought by the RIAA is a private matter between the student and the RIAA, and the College cannot advise you on the proper response should you receive such a letter. You are urged to consult with legal counsel of your own choosing who is knowledgeable about copyright law in order to determine how to respond.

The most effective way to avoid a claim of copyright infringement is just to not download or share any copyrighted content unless you are certain that you have the owner's permission. It is simply not worth the distraction, worry, legal fees, fines, and risk of criminal penalties.

If you have questions, contact the Office of the General Counsel at x42038. For more information, visit:

RIAA's P2P Lawsuit Site
Music United Copying FAQ
Barnard College Computer Use Policy

Best wishes for a good start to the Fall Semester.

Sincerely,
Dorothy Denburg