Amid debt crisis, Barnard quietly cancels annual financial aid fundraising gala

[Anonymous]

Tough times continue for Barnard?
https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/04/01/amid-debt-crisis-barnard-quietly-cancels-annual-financial-aid-fundraising-gala/
https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/02/04/barnards-long-term-debt-climbs-to-274-million-amid-drop-in-operating-deficit/

The college has not notified the broader alumni community of the “pause” on the college’s annual financial aid gala, which it canceled to focus on the fall 2026 opening of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center.

The cancellation has also raised broader concerns about the college’s long-term alumni engagement strategy. The Barnard spokesperson framed the shift toward smaller gatherings, including events and meetings with alumni across the country, as part of an effort to “deepen your connection” to Barnard beyond a single annual event.

Still, some alumni leaders said engagement efforts have not replaced the scale or visibility of the annual gala, which they viewed as central to both fundraising and community-building.

Another Barnard alum involved in alumni leadership spoke with Spectator under the condition of anonymity citing fears of retaliation that could impact organizing. She said alumni engagement “has been on this decline in recent years because of certain events on campus.”

“I hope it can reverse course again,” the alum said. “If we’re not going to have the gala, we need to have major events that are bringing alums back to campus and supporting the college.”

[Anonymous]

From the 2nd article:

Facing operating deficits exceeding $20 million in back-to-back fiscal years, Barnard has implemented a series of aggressive measures, including sweeping staff layoffs, restricting cross enrollment at Columbia, and a tuition hike that placed Barnard among the most expensive colleges in the United States. Those efforts appear to have worked.

But the deficit reduction comes amid a shrinking donations outlook and expanded borrowing activity tied to refinancing existing debt and financing major capital projects. While the deficit narrowed, Barnard’s debt rose sharply, jumping from approximately $184 million in fiscal year 2024 to about $274 million in fiscal year 2025.

In a financial summary sent to the Barnard community Jan. 28, the college reported a sharp decline in the operating deficit to $1.7 million, marking a dramatic reversal from recent years of sustained losses, driven by efforts to align spending with revenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the 2nd article:

Facing operating deficits exceeding $20 million in back-to-back fiscal years, Barnard has implemented a series of aggressive measures, including sweeping staff layoffs, restricting cross enrollment at Columbia, and a tuition hike that placed Barnard among the most expensive colleges in the United States. Those efforts appear to have worked.

Do the kids applying to Barnard for ED know that their cross-reg privileges at Columbia have been restricted?

[Anonymous]

Wow. Always knew of it as a poor woman's Columbia, but this is nail in coffin for those who claim they are essentially the same institution.

[Anonymous]

At this point it makes sense to merge with Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the 2nd article:

Facing operating deficits exceeding $20 million in back-to-back fiscal years, Barnard has implemented a series of aggressive measures, including sweeping staff layoffs, restricting cross enrollment at Columbia, and a tuition hike that placed Barnard among the most expensive colleges in the United States. Those efforts appear to have worked.

But the deficit reduction comes amid a shrinking donations outlook and expanded borrowing activity tied to refinancing existing debt and financing major capital projects. While the deficit narrowed, Barnard’s debt rose sharply, jumping from approximately $184 million in fiscal year 2024 to about $274 million in fiscal year 2025.

In a financial summary sent to the Barnard community Jan. 28, the college reported a sharp decline in the operating deficit to $1.7 million, marking a dramatic reversal from recent years of sustained losses, driven by efforts to align spending with revenue.

The debt increase is likely meaningless - a decent sized university issuing $100 million of bonds is nothing - might be just a timing issue - if they have a big project to finance, they do it.

The rest of the items are more concerning though I'm still not worried about the long-term viability of Barnard. Tons of people still want to go there so they can just jack up tuition more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the 2nd article:

Facing operating deficits exceeding $20 million in back-to-back fiscal years, Barnard has implemented a series of aggressive measures, including sweeping staff layoffs, restricting cross enrollment at Columbia, and a tuition hike that placed Barnard among the most expensive colleges in the United States. Those efforts appear to have worked.

Do the kids applying to Barnard for ED know that their cross-reg privileges at Columbia have been restricted?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the 2nd article:

Facing operating deficits exceeding $20 million in back-to-back fiscal years, Barnard has implemented a series of aggressive measures, including sweeping staff layoffs, restricting cross enrollment at Columbia, and a tuition hike that placed Barnard among the most expensive colleges in the United States. Those efforts appear to have worked.

But the deficit reduction comes amid a shrinking donations outlook and expanded borrowing activity tied to refinancing existing debt and financing major capital projects. While the deficit narrowed, Barnard’s debt rose sharply, jumping from approximately $184 million in fiscal year 2024 to about $274 million in fiscal year 2025.

In a financial summary sent to the Barnard community Jan. 28, the college reported a sharp decline in the operating deficit to $1.7 million, marking a dramatic reversal from recent years of sustained losses, driven by efforts to align spending with revenue.

The debt increase is likely meaningless - a decent sized university issuing $100 million of bonds is nothing - might be just a timing issue - if they have a big project to finance, they do it.

The rest of the items are more concerning though I'm still not worried about the long-term viability of Barnard. Tons of people still want to go there so they can just jack up tuition more.

It’s a ton of debt for a liberal arts college with an endowment of less than 1/2 a billion.