@BMCC

September 3, 2020

Modern Languages Professor Sophie Mariñez Named William P. Kelly Research Fellow
Modern Languages Professor Sophie Mariñez is one of six professors CUNY-wide selected as a fellow in the William P. Kelly Research Fellowship Program. The fellowship will support Mariñez' new book, an interdisciplinary examination of literary, political, and cultural representations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Since its inception in 2014-15, the program has supported a broad range of faculty projects in the humanities, social and natural sciences and creative and performing arts.

Webinars Provides Overview of Services and Resources for Fall 2020
Learn more about services, academic resources and safety protocols at BMCC by watching the “Welcome to Fall 2020” webinars that took place August 26 and 27. The webinar address some of the concerns and challenges that are likely to arise as the college embarks on a Fall semester like no other, where 98.9 percent of BMCC courses are only available online. Click here to watch videos of the webinars.

Announcements

Register to Vote at CUNYfirst by October 9
In the midst of Covid-19, stay safe, stay home and register to vote online through the DMV with a State-issued I.D. or access the form under the Register to Vote heading on this site. In addition, you can now vote by Absentee Ballot in the upcoming Election. Students can register to vote on CUNYfirst. The deadline to register is October 9.

Required: Download Everbridge App to Complete Daily Symptom Checker to Enter Campus
All faculty, staff and students as well as guests must complete a COVID-19 symptom checker before coming into a BMCC office or campus location. After a brief one-time setup of the Everbridge Health Screening Application, the daily symptom checker takes less than two minutes to complete. For instructions on how to download and use the app for entry into BMCC, click here. All faculty and staff must also view a safety training video on Blackboard.

Reprographics Offers Printing and Copying Services With Curbside Pickup
Reprographics offers a variety of printing services with curbside pickup to faculty and staff from its main office at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-128. Visit the Reprographics website for more information.

Resources for Supporting Students: Two Updated Brochures
The Office of Public Affairs has released the new Comprehensive Academic Programs brochure, which provides degree program information and Student Support Programs brochure, which highlights offices and services such as financial aid and tutoring programs. Downloadable versions are on the BMCC website.

Faculty and Staff: What to Know if Students Ask You About NSLS
Fall 2020 invitations have gone out to eligible students to join BMCC's chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS). The college's NSLS chapter was inaugurated in 2018 and recognized with the Distinguished Chapter Award in 2020. Students who accept the nomination by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 21 — no exceptions — will complete a five-step leadership program to become inducted and enjoy a fully virtual NSLS experience. The one-time registration fee of $95 provides lifetime membership and benefits such as scholarships, professional communication training and more. For more information: NSLS@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC and Checker's Restaurants Partner to Give Students Free Fries and 20 Percent Discount
BMCC students, faculty and staff get a free small French Fry during September at any Checker's Restaurant citywide by showing their BMCC ID and scanning the barcode shown (limit one offer per person). Find the list of restaurants here. NOTE: The Checker's at 77 Chambers Street is also offering students an ongoing 20 percent discount off all purchases when they show their BMCC student ID.

Learn How BMCC Is Being Reimagined for Fall 2020
BMCC will follow CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines in the opening of campus buildings. To protect the health of the college community, the majority of BMCC classes will be delivered from a distance for the Fall 2020 semester. Learn more about how BMCC is being reimagined.

"ID: Formations of the Self" Opens September 16 at Shirley Fiterman Art Center
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center at BMCC will present a unique exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," September 16 through January 15. Responding to the age of COVID, the artwork will be viewed through the exterior storefront windows of Fiterman Hall. Shown above: Athena LaTocha, "La Bajada Red" (Installation view), 2016-17, Sumi and walnut ink, La Bajada earth on paper, Image courtesy of artist.

Mail Art Project to Feature BMCC Artists
As part of its Mail Art Project, the Shirley Fiterman Art Center invited artists from the BMCC community to submit work using the U.S. Postal Service. The work will be posted online and shared on the Art Center’s social media accounts. Visit the Shirley Fiterman Art Center Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates. Select works from the submission will also be on display in gallery windows at 81 Barclay Street starting September 16.

Bursar Holds Removed for BMCC Students
While balances incurred before Spring 2020 must be paid in full to register for the Fall 2020 semester, there will be no bursar’s hold on balances up to $4,000 incurred during Spring 2020. For more information: Bursar@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Learn More About BMCC’s Academic and Career Communities
Academic and Career Communities provide students with information on career pathways related to their academic and social interests. They also provide students with opportunities to engage with faculty, staff and peers along their educational journey. Hundreds of faculty, staff and students provided feedback to create the communities as part of BMCC’s Designing for Success strategic planning process.

Compliance and Diversity Policies: Equity Is our Strength
BMCC policies protect equal educational and employment opportunity and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. These policies may also apply to online and off-campus incidents. If you have experienced or witnessed unlawful discrimination and harassment, you can report it to the Office of Compliance and Diversity.

CUNY Revises Sexual Misconduct Policy
The revised CUNY policy on sexual misconduct defines sexual misconduct, explains the resources for those affected by sexual misconduct, and details CUNY’s procedures for investigating and adjudicating allegations of Sexual Misconduct. To review the policy, click here.

Campus Planning and Facilities

Tips and Reminders to Staying Healthy and Safe
Don't forget, face masks are required for all faculty, staff and students visiting the BMCC campus. Face masks can help protect you and others from COVID-19. Learn more about what BMCC is doing to keep you safe on campus by visiting the Reimagining BMCC website.

Limited Building Access
The Office of Campus Planning and Facilities is unable to accommodate individual requests for Fiterman Hall or the Murray Building. Also, please remember, all faculty, staff and employees must complete the daily health screening at the Everbridge Health Screening Application before entering any BMCC campus building. Thank you for your cooperation.

Enrollment

What is BMCC Navigate? Check it out!
Faculty and staff, encourage students to download BMCC Navigate, an interactive tool that customizes information on financial aid, advisement, orientation, college deadlines. It also lets students set up reminders and a To-Do list for important tasks. They can download BMCC Navigate at the Apple App Store or Google Play, then use their CUNYfirst username and password to log in. With BMCC Navigate. To learn more, contact Niala Seetahal at (212) 776-6458 or nseetahal@bmcc.cuny.edu, or visit the BMCC Navigate website.

Share With Students: 6 Sure-Fire Ways to Crush Your Fall Semester
Here are a few tips from the Admissions #FuturePanthers blog that you can share with students to foster a strong start this fall semester.

Virtual Admissions and Enrollment Services
Students who have general questions for Enrollment Services, who "don't know what to do next" or which office to visit, who need assistance registering for classes or completing their financial aid application can join our Drop-In Panther Station Room! Staff members will be available every weekday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last waiting room entrance is 5 p.m.) to meet with a staff member who will answer questions, provide resources and assist them in meeting one-on-one with a member of our How To Team. Please note that we will be utilizing the waiting room and will welcome 10 students at a time to ensure students receive individualized attention and have all their questions answered.

Virtual Chat with a Campus Tour Guide
While COVID-19 might prevent our traditional on-campus tours, college tour guides are available via Zoom on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. to engage students in a conversation about the BMCC experience.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat

Making Headlines

BMCC students to participate in Lehman College professor's research on the universe
September 1, 2020—Campus News

Former BMCC staff member Towuanna Porter Brannon named finalist for Thomas Nelson Community College president
August 29, 2020—Augusta Press

Human Resources

BMCC Closed September 7 for Labor Day
BMCC will be closed on September 7 in observance of Labor Day. The day is a scheduled holiday, excused without charge, for Instructional Staff in Non-teaching functions, Civil Service: Clerical, Administrative, Professional, Custodial, Stores-Stock, [Campus Security excused without charge subject to essential scheduling], Skilled Trades, and Career and Salary Plan Titles.

Faculty and Staff Required to Complete COVID Return to Work Training
All BMCC staff and faculty must complete COVID-19 return-to- wor- training, prior to entering any BMCC campus. The training course is located on Blackboard, under the tab “My Organizations.” HR recommends that employees take a screen grab of the completion certification before selecting submit. Questions regarding the training should be directed to Lori Mazzola at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Claim Paychecks Before They Expire
Employees who have not picked up paper paychecks issued from January through March are urged to email, as soon as possible, officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu, and have the checks mailed out before they expire.

View Paystubs Electronically
BMCC employees can now view paystubs online at NYCAPS. The webpage provides only general information about paychecks, also called pay statements. To set up an account, go to Employee Self-Service account.

Sign up for Direct Deposit or to Suspend Transit Benefit Deductions
It's easy! Complete the Direct Deposit form or Transit Benefit form and send to: officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu

Alumni and Donors

An Easy Way to Make a Positive Impact
Interested in helping BMCC with our mission but feel anxious about possibly outliving your assets? A simple way to ensure that we can continue our life-changing work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. A charitable bequest is a written declaration that a donation be made to BMCC Foundation. You may indicate the purpose and use of your bequest; such as scholarships, food insecurity or general needs. For more information or a confidential conversation, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Use your IRA-Qualified Charitable Distribution to Help During this Time of Student Need
The CARES Act of March 2020 waives the requirement for IRA owners to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) in 2020. However, the Qualified Charitable Distribution allowance (QCD), for donors 70½ or older is still in force, and the annual limit remains at $100,000. This means that at age 70½, you can still help students and use your IRA to make a QCD of up to $100,000 for the year.

Calendar