Unlocking artistic potential, creativity, and equity in all educational and operational areas are the hallmarks of Longy School of Music of Bard College. Individual attention, strong student and faculty support, integrity, and a progressive, imaginative approach characterize the school’s programs and operations.

Longy students are productive members of the community, pursuing their musical education to the fullest. They approach diligently and attend punctually all activities in which they participate. They support their colleagues with care and compassion.

Longy faculty members display thoughtfulness, professionalism, and expertise in teaching, musicianship, and, where appropriate, performance. As teachers and mentors, they direct students toward a full realization of their potential. In partnership with the administration, they provide leadership for the school.

Longy administrative staff members display effectiveness, professionalism, and responsiveness in supporting the educational programs of the school.

All members of the Longy community are expected to maintain an environment conducive to learning and to consider the overall health of the institution. They are expected to deal honestly, ethically, professionally, and respectfully with one another, and to work together to create a community to which all belong.

Our statement of inclusion for all coursework:

Longy is an institution where students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives are welcomed and respected, and where the diversity students bring is viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. In coursework, it is the commitment of every faculty member to present repertoire, materials, and activities that are inclusive and respectful of diversity.

Everyone who works or studies at Longy School of Music of Bard College is here by choice and, as part of that choice, is encouraged to behave civilly. Participation in the conservatory’s intellectual and social activities contributes to the community’s vibrancy. In an open educational environment, there will be a frequent and often intense exchange of ideas, even ones that are unpopular and can make others uncomfortable. All members of the Longy community should bear this in mind in interactions with others on campus and in all places where the school is engaged. The community is strengthened when each member fosters civil interactions. Additionally, Longy believes firmly in free speech. All members of the conservatory are responsible for maintaining and promoting an open academic and living community. When disagreements arise, they may often be resolved directly between or among the affected parties. However, community members may also seek additional support from Student Services, who will guide them to other staff members of Academic Affairs as necessary. The community is designed to facilitate informal resolution through its members including peers, faculty, administrators, and staff.

We reserve the right to re-evaluate a student’s place at Longy if conduct breaches the policies in this Student Handbook such that a student’s continued attendance is considered detrimental to the interests of Longy, other students, faculty, or staff.

The conservatory expects all of its students, whether or not they are on campus or are currently enrolled as degree candidates, to behave in a mature and responsible manner. If the conservatory determines that a student has violated the conservatory’s Facilities Use Agreement (see “Student Life”) and/or conservatory policies, regulations, or procedures, the conservatory may discipline the student. Since the conservatory expects students to show good judgment and use common sense at all times, not all kinds of misconduct or behavioral standards are specifically identified in this handbook. It is the goal of the conservatory to help provide an environment that is supportive of and conducive to the maximum musical, intellectual, psychological, and social growth of all its students. In this spirit, conservatory policy was written with the understanding that students would take on the following responsibilities:

• To treat all members of the Longy community in a civil and respectful manner.
• To carry and present Longy identification to authorized conservatory officials upon request.
• To refrain from the use of force against persons or groups, the abuse of another person, or disruption in the form of coercion or violence.
• To respect the property of individuals, groups, and the conservatory itself.
• To ensure that guests on campus behave in a manner consistent with the policies and procedures of the conservatory.
• To act as good citizens.
• To observe all duly established conservatory, local, state, and federal regulations.

The conservatory will hear complaints pertaining to conduct of Longy students occurring on Longy property. The conservatory will also consider hearing cases involving Longy students that occur off campus. The conservatory disciplinary process will not be used merely to duplicate the function of federal, state, or local laws, but where the institution’s distinct interests as an academic community are involved, the conservatory may invoke its disciplinary authority in response to infractions of the laws of the off-campus community.

In cases of conservatory policy violations, the conservatory first determines the appropriate process to employ based on the individual set of circumstances surrounding the infraction. Cases involving instances of sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault may be reported to the Title IX Coordinator; other types of nonacademic policy violations should be reported directly to Student Services. Academic policy violations are reviewed by the Dean of the Conservatory.

Students wishing to appeal a policy violation decision should follow the student grievance procedure (see “Notices and Policies”).

(adapted from the Bard College Student Handbook)

Every semester Nicole Shervington, Registrar will publish registration guidelines.  During the registration period, students meet with their career coach, department chair, and primary studio instructor to discuss course selection. Students are responsible for knowing and reviewing their program requirements and for seeking advice about them.  Nicole Shervington, Registrar may be consulted to review academic progress, enrollment status, as well as other details relevant to continuing and successfully completing academic programs.

Students should also consult with the Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Business Office regarding relevant financial arrangements. Official registration is complete only when Nicole Shervington, Registrar receives completed registration information and all financial obligations to the school have been resolved. See the Academic Calendar for the official registration period.

Registration for new students must be completed during the official registration periods for incoming students, published in the  Academic Calendar. New students must arrange travel and accommodations to be present for New Student Orientation. Returning students must register during the official registration periods for returning students, published in the Academic Calendar. The Late Registration Fee is charged to any students not observing these deadlines along with the possible revocation of practice room privileges.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

Students may drop or add courses during the first week of each semester, after receiving permission from instructors, as necessary, and Nicole Shervington, Registrar. The student’s academic record does not show courses dropped during this period. After the second week of the semester, students may not add new classes or lessons. A grade of “W” (withdrawal) is recorded for courses dropped after the second week and before the twelfth week of the semester, upon submission of the completed Course Withdrawal Form by the published deadline. Students who stop attending (or never attended) classes but do not complete the Course Withdrawal Form by the published deadline will receive whatever letter grade the instructor deems appropriate. Consult the Academic Calendar for relevant dates.

Course auditors participate in a course to gain experience and knowledge but do not to earn credits or a grade. Audited courses do not fulfill graduation requirements.

Students wishing to audit a course must have permission of the faculty member and Nicole Shervington, Registrar. Auditors are expected to attend class regularly and complete assignments. Additional participation requirements will be agreed upon by the instructor and student at the beginning of the semester.

Students may switch from auditing status to taking a course for credit no later than the end of the add/drop period. Full-time students may audit no more than one class per semester with no additional tuition charge. Any additional fee required for the course must be also be paid by the auditor. Part-time students must follow all stated guidelines and pay all tuition.

ACCREDITATION

Longy School of Music of Bard College is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Inquiries regarding the status of Longy accreditation should be directed to Judy Bose, Dean of the Conservatory. Individuals may also contact MSCHE at 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000, [email protected].

Bard is also a member of the American Council on Education, American Council of Learned Societies, Association of American Colleges and Universities, College Entrance Examination Board, Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, Education Records Bureau, and Environmental Consortium of Hudson Valley Colleges and Universities.

STUDENTS’ RIGHT TO PRIVACY

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, gives currently enrolled students and alumni the right to privacy of records, files, and data held about them by the school on an official basis. In general, Longy cannot release information from a student’s record without his or her permission. However, certain types of information, termed Directory Information, can be released without permission unless a student specifically instructs Longy not to do so. Directory Information includes student’s name, local and permanent address, local and permanent phone, e-mail address, program and major, dates of attendance and graduation date/status, honors received, class schedule, and photographs and videos. The Act also gives students the right to inspect and review their educational records and to challenge any contents which they feel are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy and other rights. A student who wishes to challenge information held in his or her record or who wishes to have a privacy hold put on his or her account should contact Ruth Blackburn, Registrar and Director of Student Advising.

College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, College Entrance Examination Board, American Council on Education, Associated Colleges of the Mid-Hudson Area, and Education Records Bureau. The Bard program of study leading to the master of science degree is registered by the New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education and the Professions, Room 977, Education Building, Albany, New York, 12234; www.highered.nysed.gov.

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND NON-HARASSMENT POLICY

Longy School of Music of Bard College (“Longy” or the “School”) supports all employees’ and students’ rights to work and learn in an environment free from all forms of discrimination, including discrimination or harassment based on an individual’s race, color, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, marital status, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other protected status or characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

To that end, the School prohibits discrimination and harassment in any form by any student, staff member, faculty member, or other person, including the School’s visitors and vendors, in connection with any School-related activity. The School’s property (including, but not limited to, telephones, copy machines, facsimile machines and computers) may not be used to engage in conduct that violates this Policy. In addition, social media, email, texting, or any other form of communication may not be used in any way that violates this policy.