@BMCC

September 24, 2020

Caring Campus Initiative Committee Presents Recommendations for BMCC
BMCC hosted a Caring Campus Initiative virtual session September 22 outlining the committee members' behavioral commitment recommendations for the campus community. BMCC’s Caring Campus project has been focused on institutionalizing behaviors and actions that create a more welcoming campus environment for students.

President Anthony E. Munroe Encourages the BMCC Community to Register and Vote
"While our country, at times, feels deeply divided, and the challenges we face in the days ahead can seem daunting, sitting on the sidelines is not an option. A healthy democracy—and a more just and equitable society—require an active and engaged populace, and that starts with each of us. Please join me in helping create a better future. Register and Vote." Read President Munroe's message in its entirety here.

BMCC To Name Terrace After Former Vice President For Administration, Planning and Finance G. Scott Anderson
During his 19 years as BMCC’s Vice President for Administration, Planning and Finance, Granville Scott Anderson distinguished himself as an invaluable and forward-looking administrator. Now, his name and legacy will continue to live in one of the buildings he championed after the attacks of 9/11. Recently, CUNY approved the naming of a 14th-floor terrace at the Miles and Shirley Fiterman Hall, in Scott’s name.

BMCC Welcomes Sanjay Ramdath as Acting Director of Enrollment Services
With more than 20 years of higher education executive experience, Sanjay Ramdath joins BMCC as Acting Director of Enrollment Services. Ramdath has managed budgets, forecasting, planning, marketing, communications and operations at both the undergraduate and graduate level in public and private institutions. His expertise includes academic programming and workforce development, guided pathways and student support services. Ramdath served as Executive Director of Enrollment Management at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey, a Predominately Black Institution (PBI) and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). He served as Registrar/Enrollment Director at both Bronx Community College, CUNY, and Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, North Carolina. Ramdath is a doctoral candidate in the Ed.D. Community College Leadership Program at New Jersey City University. He holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida and a BS in Information Technology from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.

Professor Brianna Waychoff Named Co-Editor of Peer-Reviewed Women's Studies Quarterly
Associate Professor of Communication and Women's Studies Program Coordinator Brianna Waychoff was named General Co-Editor of the prestigious, peer-reviewed journal, Women's Studies Quarterly (WSQ) and will serve alongside Co-Editor Red Washburn, Associate Professor of English and Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies at Kingsborough College. “Given the way women and LGBTQ folx have been affected by our current global crises — even as gendered aspects of oppression are largely absent from the mainstream conversation — this is a particularly critical time to lead the journal’s direction,” said Waychoff. “Red and I have created a number of partnerships to provide resources to keep WSQ at CUNY after the CUNY Graduate Center funding associated with the journal was cut in Fall 2019. It was important to us that it stay at a public university and having it at two community colleges is a first for which we are very proud.”

Fifth Annual Academic Advisement Conference: Friday, September 25
BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe will welcome participants to the college's fifth annual Academic Advisement conference on Friday, September 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m., on the virtual platform Zoom. This year’s theme is “Designing for Transfer,” to support advisors who prepare students for transfer to senior institutions. The event will include workshops and panel discussions, as well as Spark Joy sessions where colleagues share hobbies and personal rest practices. For more information, contact Senior Academic Advisor Christopher Rafinski at crafinski@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Announcements

Take 10 Minutes and Complete the Census by September 30. Here's why.
Bilingual Childhood Education major Juanlin Li shares why the census is important to every New Yorker and how it affects funding for CUNY. The deadline is September 30. For more information, visit the CUNY census project website or fill out the census today.

Take action! Register to Vote by October 9.
"Actions speak louder than words. Take action!" Liberal Arts major Jessica Castro urges fellow students to vote — and shares why it matters. Stay tuned for more student-to-student videos getting out the vote. Share far and wide! And remember: Your can register to vote online through the DMV or on this site. You can also vote by Absentee Ballot and students can register to vote on CUNYfirst. The deadline to register is October 9.

"ID: Formations of the Self" Now Up at Shirley Fiterman Art Center
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center is proud to present the exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," through January 15. The artwork can be viewed through the exterior storefront windows of Fiterman Hall. Shown at right: Christie Neptune, “Head Bowed in Assembled Construction,” 2018, Digital Chromogenic Print, Image courtesy of artist

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.

BMCC Community Members Eligible for 10 Minute Mindfulness Course
The CUNY Office of Student Affairs has launched a partnership with “The 10 Minute Mind,” a service that provides free mindfulness meditation to all CUNY students, faculty and staff. Mindfulness meditation is research-based, and has been found to reduce stress; improve memory, sleep, focus and academic performance, and enable more effective emotional reactions to situations. For more information and registration information click here.

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.

Campus Planning and Facilities

Learn How BMCC Is Being Reimagined for Fall 2020
To protect the health of the college community, BMCC will follow CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines to reopen campus buildings and the majority of classes will be delivered from a distance in Fall 2020. Learn more here.

The BMCC Campus Is Reopening in Phases
The BMCC campus is reopening in phases approved by CUNY and the State of New York. Phase 1 started August 26, with access to campus limited to students. Phase 2A began September 16 and added a percentage of support programs staff. Phase 2B starts September 30 and adds a percentage of administration staff. Review the phases and learn more here.

Before Returning to Campus: Complete the COVID Return-to-Work Training
All staff and faculty returning to campus must complete a one-time, COVID-19 return-to-work training on Blackboard under the tab “My Organizations.” Be sure to take a screenshot of the completion certification before selecting "submit," and direct questions to Loriann Mazzola in Human Resources at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Download the Daily Health Screening App, Complete it Each Day on Campus — and Wear a Mask
All faculty, staff, students and guests must complete a two-minute, COVID-19 Daily Health Screening before entering the BMCC campus. To do so, first download the Everbridge Health Screening Application. For instructions, click here. Also, when re-entering the campus don't forget your mask!

Enrollment

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

BMCC Alumni Stories: Nominate Your Former Student
Are your former students enrolled at their "dream schools" or establishing careers? We want to hear their story! As part of our digital recruiting efforts for Spring and Fall 2021, the Admissions office is sharing BMCC alumni success stories on social media. We want to represent as many majors as possible — so make sure your department doesn't get left out! Nominate your former students for a profile on the new #FuturePanther Blog. Admissions Social Media Coordinator Olivia Harris will follow up to capture their tales.

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

Making Headlines

CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez refers to BMCC's Aspen Prize nomination as example of CUNY's role in New York's recovery
September 23, 2020 — AMNY

Alumnus Regis Rodriguez releases sci-fi novella with a medical theme
September 23, 2020 — Raine Magazine

Early Childcare Center Director Cecilia Scott-Croff reflects on the pandemic and returning to work
September 22, 2020 — The Institute Blog

Photography of alumna Sofie Velasquez featured in exhibition
September 21, 2020 — The New York Times

Professor Heather James examines impact of Black voter turnout in Kenosha, Wisconsin in creating Democratic lead
September 19, 2020 — The Hill

Professor Brianne Waychoff, co-editor of Women's Studies Quarterly, creates space for voices not heard in academe
Fall 2020 — Center for the Study of Women and Society Newsletter

Alumna Cardi B analyzed as "hip-hop feminist"
September 16, 2020 — Medium

Human Resources

NYC Department of Education Seeks Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers earn $193.47 for a 6-hour, 50-minute day through the NYC Department of Education. To start the application process, take this online survey.

On-campus Payroll Distribution: October 1, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Be sure to bring your own pen to sign the registry when you pick up your paper check at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway 2 South on Thursday, October 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. only.

Conversations that Matter: Parenting in a Pandemic
Register now and join other New York City parents on September 25 at 12:30 p.m. for this WorkWell interactive panel discussion on the highs and lows of pandemic parenting. Hear and share strategies to balance work, school, childcare and everything in between.

Take the 8-Week Self-Care Challenge
From "Disconnect to Destress" to "Flourish With Food," eight weeks of online workshops will provide strategies for improved self-care.

September Is Pain Awareness Month: Learn Coping Strategies for Chronic Pain
Learn how to manage stress, muscle tightness and other factors that exacerbate chronic pain with this WorkWell NYC video webinar, Strategies for Coping with Chronic Pain. Also check out this online resource page, Mind-Body Techniques to Reduce Pain.

Fit Fest: Fun Outdoor Fitness Classes on October 1
BMCC faculty and staff are invited to register by September 29 for your choice of three 45-minute sessions on October 1 that focus on toning and conditioning, dance fitness, soca fitness and more. Masks are required and social distancing will be in place. Yoga mats are required for Session 3 but optional for Sessions 1 and 2. Also, bring your own towel or blanket.

Alumni and Donors

Alumni Relations Presents Marica Hodges (Nursing, '97)
Join fellow alumni and friends as BMCC Alumni Relations presents Marica Hodges (Nursing, '97) on Wednesday, September 30 at 3 p.m. Hodges will discuss her "Start here. Go anywhere." journey as a Black nurse starting at BMCC then heading to Yale and now Johns Hopkins where she is completing her doctorate. To register for this event, click here.

Join Webinar on the ABCs of Retirement Planning With Financial Advisor Donald Kent
The BMCC Office of Institutional Advancement invites alumni, faculty, staff and friends to a retirement planning webinar on September 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. with Donald Kent, Principal and Financial Advisor at Bernstein Private Wealth Management. Space is limited, so register now for this unique learning opportunity. For more information, contact webinar host and BMCC Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving Phillip Keefe, pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

An Easy Way to Make a Positive Impact
A simple way to help ensure that BMCC can continue its life-changing work is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. This earmarks a donation to the BMCC Foundation and can designate its purpose, such as supporting scholarships or food insecurity. For 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.

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