Incoming Students

Welcome to Bard!

Checklist

There are a series of Health Forms that are required before matriculating at Bard College. Most cannot be accessed until you have your Bard email account to access the Student Health Portal.

1. Exams and Immunizations

However, there are a couple forms you can begin right away.
● Physical Exam to be completed and signed by a healthcare provider
● Immunization dates and record signed by a healthcare provider
Download the Physical Exam Form
2. Get a Bard Email Account

At the beginning of the summer you will be given a Bard email account. This account will become your primary communication method. Once you receive your account, you can contact the Helpdesk with any issue accessing this account.
[email protected]
3. Access the Student Health Portal

Using your new Bard email credentials, you will be able to access the Student Health Portal and submit the remainder of your required health forms.
Log in to the Health Portal

Immunization Requirements

Immunization records or exemptions are due July 1st or 30 days prior to program start, whichever comes first.

Immunization Requirements
Per NY State law, all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are required to demonstrate proof of immunity against:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Meningococcal disease (signed form with waiver or documentation of recent vaccine)
In addition, Bard strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff stay up-to-date for immunization against Covid-19 and influenza.
Immunization Requirements
Per NY State law, all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are required to demonstrate proof of immunity against:

Measles

Mumps

Rubella

Meningococcal disease (signed form with waiver or documentation of recent vaccine)

In addition, Bard strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff stay up-to-date for immunization against Covid-19 and influenza.
Immunization Requirements at Bard

NY State Public Health Law 2165 requires that all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students attending a post-secondary institution must demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). To meet these requirements, students must have had two MMR vaccines on or after their first birthday or provide proof of immunity with quantitative titers (blood tests).

NY State Public Health Law 2167 requires all colleges/universities to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination. In accordance with this law, students are required to:
- Provide proof of meningitis vaccination within the last 5 years (1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine or a 2- or 3-dose series of MenB vaccine)
- OR sign a waiver form refusing meningococcal vaccine
In addition, Bard strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff stay up-to-date for immunization against Covid-19 and influenza. As of March 2024, Bard is no longer requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

Immunization records are due July 1st or 30 days prior to program start, whichever comes first.

Immunization records must be submitted in English and certified by a medical provider; if original documentation is not in English, a translated version must be provided by a certified medical translation service at the student’s expense.

Providing proof of immunization as above is mandatory and students missing this information will be unable to register for classes until complete.

Immunization Exemption Policy

New York State ONLY permits the following exemptions for the Mumps, Measles and Rubella immunization requirement:

If you were born before January 1, 1957.
Students with a MEDICAL contraindication to a specific vaccine. Sufficient documentation must be submitted by the student's medical provider, stating the reason for the contraindication and an end date, if applicable.
Students with a strong RELIGIOUS conviction against vaccination. To request this exemption, a student is required to submit a signed statement that explains in their words why an exemption is requested and describes the religious principles that guide your objection to immunization. Please also indicate whether you are opposed to all immunizations, and if not all, the religious basis that prohibits particular immunizations. If the student is under 18 at the time of admission, the form will need to be signed by the parent/guardian, and the student will need to resubmit the documentation once they are 18 years old. Bard College requires that this form be notarized by a notary public, and may require additional supporting documents. This request may need to be reviewed by the NYS Department of Health prior to approval.

Please Note:

Health Services will notify applicants as to the approval or denial of the exemption request. If the request is denied, the notification will include specific reasons for denial. A denial can be appealed with the NYS Department of Health Immunization Program within 30 days.
Philosophical, political, scientific, sociological or other objections to immunization do not justify an exemption under Department of Health regulation 10 NYCCR, Section 66- 2.2(e). This regulation also allows educational institutions to request additional documents in support of the request for religious exemption. Department of Health regulation 10 NYCCR, Section 66-2.2 (e) can be found on the NY State DOHMH website.

In the event of a measles, mumps, or rubella case on campus, students who are not immunized will be required to receive the necessary vaccine, if possible, or leave campus for a period of time determined by the incubation period of the particular disease at their own expense.

Bard College MMR Vaccine Exemption Form

FAQs for Parents/Guardians of Incoming Students

We encourage you to explore our website for information about our services and policies. However, below are some of the most commonly asked questions about health services at Bard. There is also an FAQ section on the Insurance tab that addresses questions regarding health insurance. In the event that you cannot find the answer to your questions below or on our other pages, feel free to contact us by email or call our office at 845-758-7433 during business hours.

What health information and documentation does Bard College require?

What health information and documentation does Bard College require?

Please review the Health Intake for Incoming Students document for detailed information on what we require to ensure the health and safety of students at Bard College. Once enrolled, students will be able to log into the Student Portal via the links in the document to upload required documentation and input required information.

If your student is under 18 years old, you will need to sign the Consent for Treatment and Meningitis Response forms on the Student Portal through your student's account.
What health services are available on campus?

What health services are available on campus?

Our providers (nurse practioners and physicians) can diagnose and treat most routine illnesses and injuries, provide most routine health care and prescribe medications as needed. We can also assist students in finding care off campus for conditions needing a higher level of care. For more information, please visit our Services tab.
How do students pay for services?

How do students pay for services?

Health Service does not bill for office visits or for most services rendered at our clinic. As part of their tuition and fees all students pay a Student Health Fee which covers these costs, however, medications and laboratory services are not covered by the SHF.

We maintain a small dispensary of over the counter and common prescription medications, and any medications dispensed during an office visit are typically charged to the student’s college account. However students have the option of paying cash, or getting the medication from a local pharmacy.

Laboratory services are billed directly to the student’s insurance. LabCorp provides laboratory services to our clinic as needed. Health Service will provide the student’s insurance information to LabCorp who will file a claim directly with the insurance company.
Where is the nearest hospital and ER?

Where is the nearest hospital and ER?

Northern Dutchess Hospital is located six miles south of campus in the village of Rhinebeck. You can learn more about the services offered there by visiting their website.
What if my student needs emergency services?

What if my student needs emergency services?

If the student is off campus then they or someone should call 911. On campus Bard EMS is available 24/7 (see the Emergencies page) to respond to medical emergencies on campus, and they can call for ambulance transport as needed. For other less urgent concerns we encourage students to call Health Service to schedule an appointment with one of our Nurse Practioners. We can typically see students the same day, and depending on the situation will make room in the schedule for urgent or emergency care. If necessary Health Service can arrange transportation to the ER via our Emergency Driver program.

What to Bring to Bard

We recommend that you come with a basic "medicine cabinet," which includes:

Any prescription medications you take in their original bottles
A thermometer that you know how to use (a true fever starts at 100.5° F/ 38° C)
Over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Band-Aids and a topical antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin
Cold medicines, such as decongestants, cough syrup, or cough drops
Oral allergy medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Hydrocortisone cream for itchy bug bites or rashes
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Tweezers or special tick remover

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Us

To book an appointment, please visit the Student Health Portal or call us at
845-758-7433 during business hours.

For non-urgent inquiries, please email us at [email protected] and allow 1-2 business days for response.

For follow up questions after a visit to Health Services, you can email your provider directly through the Student Health Portal.
Location and Hours

We are located in Robbins House Annex on North Campus with Counseling Services.

We are in the first white building on the left as you head down Robbins Road towards Manor and the Fisher Center.
Find us on the campus map
Phone: 845-758-7433
Fax: 845-758-7437
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Emergency Services

After-Hours Emergencies
On campus call ext. 7777
Off campus dial 911, or go to the nearest Emergency Room

Emergency Services
Northern Dutchess Hospital
6511 Spring Brook Ave
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845-871-3440

Urgent Care Services
Optum Multi-Specialty Clinic - Rhinebeck
6734 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845-231-5600

Optum Multi-Specialty Clinic - Kingston
1561 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine, NY 12449
Phone: 845-231-5600

OrthoExpress - Kingston
Broken bones, sprains/strains, athletic injuries, etc.
918 Ulster Ave, Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: (845) 790-0457

Incoming Students

Checklist

Immunization Requirements

Immunization Requirements

Immunization Exemption Policy

FAQs for Parents/Guardians of Incoming Students

What health information and documentation does Bard College require?

What health services are available on campus?

How do students pay for services?

Where is the nearest hospital and ER?

What if my student needs emergency services?

What to Bring to Bard

GET IN TOUCH