About the Catalogue

Catalogue Statement

All statements contained in this catalogue reflect the approved policies of Vassar College as of January 1, 2015. However, for educational or financial reasons, the college reserves its right to change the provisions, statements, policies, curricula, procedures, regulations, or fees described herein. Such changes will be duly published and distributed.

Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for all information and deadlines contained in this catalogue and in the current Student Handbook. The Student Handbook and the Schedule of Classes supplement the Vassar Catalogue and expand upon college policies and procedures.

Course Credit

The credit which a course carries is stated in units per semester and shown below the course title.

Course Elections

The elections of first-year students are limited to courses marked “Open to all classes,” or to courses numbered 100 to 199 unless special prerequisites are stated. Students with Advanced Placement credit may be admitted to other courses. Unless otherwise noted, courses are open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Matriculated students may audit courses with the permission of the instructor. No formal registration is necessary and no extra fee is charged.

Course Numbering System

Undergraduate courses are offered on the levels shown in the following numbering system:

Courses numbered in the 180 and 280 series are newly developed courses which may be offered on a trial basis under this number for one time only. After this initial offering, the course must either be presented for approval as a regular course or dropped completely by the department.

Courses numbered in the 380 series apply to departmental offerings in which small groups of students pursue advanced work on special topics with special permission. It is understood that the topics are changed from time to time, with no particular time limit, according to the department›s needs, and are listed under the general heading «Special Studies» within the departmental listings. The term may also apply to experimental courses introduced by departments or introduced interdepartmentally which will normally be offered for one year.

Nondiscrimination Policies

Vassar College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or age in the admission of students to the college; in any of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college; in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship or loan programs, and athletic and other programs administered be the college; or in the employment practices of the college. Additionally, should state or federal law be enacted during the period this policy is extant which prohibits discrimination based upon a group’s protected status not listed in the above categories, this policy will be deemed amended to afford protection to such groups. Inquiries concerning the application of this policy prescribed by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Internal Revenue Service, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAA) of 2008 may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, which is charged to coordinate the college’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, Section 504, and the ADAA.

Crime Statistics

For campus crime statistics, consult the Security website at http://security.vassar.edu/statistics, the U.S. Department of Education’s website at http://ope.ed.gov/security, or call the director of security at (845) 437-5201. The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will also provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.