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 must maintain an environment conducive to learning and consider the institution’s overall health. 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 its students to behave maturely and responsibly. 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 term, the Registrar will publish registration guidelines. During the registration period, students meet with their Career Coach to discuss course selection. In addition, students may elect to discuss courses with their department chair and/or primary studio instructor. Students are responsible for knowing and reviewing their program requirements and for seeking advice about them. The Assistant Registrar for Academic Support and Registrar may be consulted to review academic progress, enrollment status, and 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 the Registrar receives completed registration information, and all financial obligations to the school have been resolved. See the Academic Calendar for the official registration period.

Course selection should be discussed with the Administrative Manager of Teacher Education. You may also meet with the Assistant Dean of Teacher Education. Online MM/ME students do not need to consult with the Office of Student Financial Assistance or the Business Office before registration is complete. 

New and returning students must register during their respective registration periods, as published in the Academic Calendar. A $75 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 add or drop courses during the first week of each term. Changes made during add/drop will be reviewed by the Academic Affairs staff. The student’s academic record does not show courses dropped during this period. After the first week of the term, students may not add new classes or lessons. A grade of “W” (Withdrawal) is recorded for courses dropped after Add/Drop and before the published withdrawal deadline. Students must also complete the 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. Students in the MM/ME (In-Person) program will receive a grade of “W” (Withdrawal) for courses dropped after the first week and before the third week of the Summer term and before the fourth week of the Winter term, upon submission of the completed Course Withdrawal Form by the published deadline. Consult the Academic Calendar for relevant dates.

Course auditors participate in a course to gain experience and knowledge but do not earn credits or a grade. Audited courses do not fulfill graduation requirements. The Audit Request Form must be completed by the end of the registration period. Online MM/ME students may not audit courses. 

Students wishing to audit a course must have permission of the faculty member and the Registrar. Students are not permitted to audit Chamber Music. 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 term.   

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 term with no additional tuition charge. Any additional fee required for the course must also be paid by the auditor. Any student enrolled less than full-time for their degree program is ineligible to audit a course. 

ACCREDITATION

Longy School of Music of Bard College is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Inquiries regarding the status of Longy’s accreditation should be directed to the Dean. Individuals may also contact MSCHE at 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000, info@msche.org.

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), grants various rights to students regarding their academic records:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s academic records
2. The right to request the amendment of records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading
3. The right to consent to the disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s academic records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent, i.e. the college will not release your academic record without your written permission to any but the following:
   • Employees of the college with a legitimate educational interest
   • Appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the safety of the student or other individuals
   • Parents or guardians of a dependent student as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Bard College to comply with the requirements of FERPA
5. The right to prevent disclosure of any and all types of personally identifiable information that Longy has designated as “Directory Information”

The following information is considered “Directory Information,” and may be disclosed without students’ explicit permission.  (This is the kind of information frequently provided to health insurance companies, potential employers, loan agencies etc.)

Student’s Name
Longy e-mail address
Class/Level
Major and Degree Program
Degree Earned & Date
Academic Honors and Awards
Dates of Attendance

To prevent disclosure of Directory Information students must file a letter with the Registrar’s Office requesting that no information be released without the written consent of the student.

Questions about FERPA and Longy’s compliance procedures should be directed to the Registrar.

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.