Excitement for a new semester has already reached Barnard’s gates, even with summer coming to an end. Each year, the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) committee produces an array of activities to welcome first-year, transfer, international, and returning students to campus. Orientation leaders, administrators, and faculty members dedicate one week of informative workshops, social events, and tours — on and off campus — to help students grow acquainted with their new college environment and the abundant resources available to them.
This year’s program, which ran from August 27 to September 3, included guided excursions and identity-focused activities to help students make new connections within the Barnard community or to reintroduce them to all that is available.
“NSOP has implemented new experiences with workshops and opportunities to continue to introduce students to the wonderful campus community they’ll soon call their own,” said Leticia Lynch, the program coordinator for NSOP and campus-wide programming. “I’m most excited to see new students branch out beyond their comfort zones [and] make the most of this exciting first step of their journeys at Barnard.”
NSOP leader Abbey McWhirter ’25 shares this year’s program theme and event highlights.
What is the theme this year?
This year’s [focus] is “Growing Roots!” Students began their college journey with a reminder of the community they have around them and the support that our campus provides. NSOP is about welcoming students to the community, along with giving them the resources that they need to grow roots and flourish in a new environment.
What are some of the new activities planned to help students connect with campus life?
I’m really proud of our dedicated effort to support the transfer-student community by adding transfer-specific events, in collaboration with Columbia. Two of the program’s activities — Community Gardens and Roundtables — provided students with an opportunity to connect with community members who share similar identities. It’s been inspiring to work with my fellow students, who are so committed to ensuring that new students feel welcomed and supported by offering students the space to find their campus-life niche.
Can you share an example of what students can expect in a workshop?
NSOP partners with campus representatives to familiarize students with the breadth of resources available [to them]. The Barnard Reads event asked students to read Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass before arriving on campus and to prepare for conversations guided by administrators and faculty. This was a great opportunity for students to get an idea of what a seminar-style class can be like while having an early introduction to academic life.
How does NSOP help students form connections with their peers?
Craft Night, [which was] a huge success last year, came back with pot painting and succulent planting on campus. We also scheduled several B’Scursions — Barnard excursions — and built in free time during the week for students to explore on their own. I’m also really proud of our continued commitment to 4-School programming, which includes Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, Columbia’s School of General Studies, and Barnard College, along with an outdoor movie and open mic night in which all students were invited to participate.
How can students grow acquainted with living in New York City?
NSOP is devoted to Barnard student-led tours of Morningside Heights and of the greater Manhattan region. These B’Scursions are always hit!
Some highlights for this year included a trip to the Museum of Natural History, Little Island, and one of our favorite local coffee spots, the Hungarian Pastry Shop. Over the weekend, students went on the 4-School Neighborhood Tours, visiting the Met and Coney Island. NSOP leaders were eager to take new students to their favorite spots in New York.
READ: “A Day in Morningside Heights,” which features a curated neighborhood guide that includes campus favorites, such as the Hungarian Pastry Shop.
WATCH: A message from President Laura Rosenbury to new and transfer students, whom she welcomed to campus on August 27.
—TARA TERRANOVA ’25
