Fall 2024 campus vibe check
As Barnard enters the second half of its fall semester, students seem to be facing a plethora of emotions on campus.
Photography by Alina Wang/The Barnard Bulletin
October 27, 2024
As golden oak leaves sweep across campus and the shadows elongate on the Futter Field lawn, Barnard knows that fall has arrived. However, the usual serenity that the fall season brings has been interrupted by a looming tension embodied in the form of silence. Barnard’s restrictions on freedom of expression have left a dent in the morale of the community.
When walking along the Futter Field lawn, I came across Ellie Carver-Horner (BC ‘25) who offered some insight into the dynamics of Barnard's social sphere right now. She told me that, in general, Barnard feels “weird.” Carver-Horner acknowledged that there “has been a regrowth of community” after last year's protests but also a “hit to the student morale because of the severe repression we’ve seen from the administration towards the students for exercising a very valid constitutional right to assemble.”
Even in her first years during COVID, Carver-Horner said that there was a community at Barnard, but recently it has felt distinctly divided, splitting into individual communities. Adrienne Chacon (BC ‘26) added to this sentiment. Students are “frustrated and feel as if they are not really heard by the senior administration,” said Chacon. Although some initiatives have been taken to incorporate student voices, such as open forums to discuss current events on campus, there is a general consensus that Barnard has not truly listened to student requests, no matter one’s opinions.
This loss of hope was solidified when I asked Mariam Sikiru (BC ‘25) if she would like to tell the Barnard administration anything, but she simply shrugged and said, “No, because they aren’t going to listen.” It seems to not be anger that lingers amongst most students this year, but utter disappointment that is cemented by constant surveillance and mandatory ID access.
However, these feelings are not shared among all Barnard students, especially the first-years and new transfers. Jenna Mangonmi (BC ‘28) thinks that the general vibes “are pretty good.” Mangonmi sees campus as in “good spirits,” and only finds midterms to be a cause of “tense energy.”
“Things are sort of ramping up, classes are getting busier, and I think a lot of people are feeling more stressed,” transfer student Athena Ku (BC ‘27) said. Amongst the first-years and transfers I interviewed, the administration and protests were not their primary concern, but rather midterms and work seemed to be their main stressors.
I was surprised to see the contrast between upperclassmen and new students; it seemed almost like they attended two different institutions. After some thought, I realized that the dichotomy of opinions is due to their divergent experiences of Barnard. It makes sense that the students who were slowly stripped of their rights last year and witnessed their fellow classmates being arrested have some more resentment towards the school and its administration.
Midterms and the administration are not the only two concerns at the moment, for there is one much louder and more obvious than both combined: construction. My morning alarm at 8 a.m. every weekday is a high-intensity drill 3 feet away from my window in the quad — let’s just say I start my day off with a literal jolt. This is not only an issue of mine — many other Barnard students share this sentiment. Lauren Arnold (BC ‘27) expressed her dismay: “All the construction I feel like has interrupted what campus normally is.”
Almost everywhere on Barnard’s tiny campus, there is some sort of construction site. From Altshul to Barnard Hall to the Quad, the renovations seem to be an infectious disease that has plagued the quiet that once was. Even off-campus housing is going through similar renovations. Nina Dobrev (BC ‘27) lives on 116th and told me that one day “they started construction at 1 a.m. and finished at 8 a.m.” Life in New York City is loud enough, but with the construction, Barnard students seem to have given up hope of clinging to any ounce of sanity or sleep.
Amidst the noise lurks an even larger storm: the election. At a historically women’s college, the matter of abortion is extremely important and it is certainly not overlooked. “It’s bringing people together,” said Dobrev.
There have been numerous Democratic events around campus, such as a gala hosted by “Students for Kamala” that raised money for her campaign while providing a common space for all in favor of the blue ticket this election. The presidential debates have also provided a unique opportunity for students to come together and watch our future leaders argue, complain, and evade pertinent questions. What could be more fun? Although politics can be frustrating and anxiety-provoking, the common, uncomfortable emotions evoked by this election have bolstered a sense of community among many students.
However, there is more nuance to this election, as division still exists even amongst liberals and other left-leaning students on campus. One issue embodying this political rift on campus is the Israel-Palestine conflict, as seen with numerous pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests. Even students previously united under the hue of blue now exhibit points of acute contention and discrepancy.
The Fall 2024 Vibe Check has revealed that Barnard students are facing a plethora of uncomfortable emotions that are only intensified by tensions on campus. Not all of the friction can be blamed simply on the institution itself because, quite frankly, our country is in the midst of extreme political turmoil. Though, the very fact that there is so much discourse on campus is the result — or rather the gift — of having such a passionate, engaged, and intelligent student body ready to stand up for their beliefs.