@BMCC

December 23, 2020

WATCH AND SHARE VIDEO: BMCC Says 'Thank You' to Ms. MacKenzie Scott

Message from the President: Transformative $30 Million Gift to BMCC Update
There is tremendous gratitude, pride, and enthusiasm around the college in light of our receipt of a $30 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott. I know you join me in thanking Ms. Scott, for this extraordinary gift that recognizes the huge contribution our college and our students make, and that will enable us to continue to take the college and our students to the next level. I am taking this opportunity to share an update on where we are as we continue to work with CUNY, our Foundation, and Ms. Scott’s representatives to coordinate the transfer of funds, which we hope to receive in the near future. I continue to urge you to think, as I know many of you are, about the ideas and possibilities open to use with this incredible gift. Read full message here.

Panther Partners Video Thanks the Fall 2020 Coaches
The BMCC Panther Partners program provides a supportive cohort experience for students who are first in their families to attend college. In 2020, BMCC was recognized as a First-Gen Forward Advisory Institution — just one of 11 institutions nationwide to receive the designation — for efforts including the BMCC Panther Partners program, first piloted in 2017. As the Fall 2020 semester came to a close, Panther Partner mentees surprised their coaches with a video of thanks.

Holiday Message from BMCC President Anthony Munroe
"Traditionally, the winter holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends — and while COVID-19 has disrupted that tradition, there continues to be much to be grateful for," says BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe. Read the president's message in its entirety, and enjoy a holiday video featuring the BMCC mascot, Manny the Panther.

Announcements

Almost There! #CUNYTUESDAY Deadline is December 31
BMCC has raised $48,017 of its $50,000 goal for the annual #CUNYTUESDAY campaign fundraiser to help fight food insecurity among our students—and it's not too late for you to make a contribution to this critical cause. You can also become a BMCC Champion, tapping into your network of friends and family to boost donations. To learn more, click here or contact Yaritza Gonzalez at ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu. Thank you for caring about our students, and contributing to their success.

Professor Rebecca R. Garte Featured in Citizens Committee of NYC Panel
On December 17, Teacher Education Professor Rebecca Harte appeared as one of three panelists interviewed by the CEO of Citizens Committee of NYC on the virtual event, CitizensNYC: LIVE Rethink & Rebuilt. "The panel was a conversation around hyper-local education and access to community resources such as student teachers, curricula, space, health and safety, and more. My role was to discuss an initiative that reimagines education in terms of both K-12 and our teacher education students at BMCC," said Garte, who appears at 28:42 in the video and has worked with Teacher Education Professor Jennifer Gilken to solidify a partnership with CitizensNYC that could benefit BMCC students.

Laptop or iPad Distribution Will Resume January 4
Eligible BMCC students can borrow a laptop or iPad through December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BMCC gym, 100 North Moore Street. Distribution and returns of electronic devices will resume on Monday January 4. At this time, the service will only be on Mondays and Thursdays. Students must apply and choose a day to pick up their device. For more information students can contact studentaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Quiet Study and Computer Lab Reservations Will Resume January 4
As of January 4, students will be able to reserve a single-seat study space on the second floor of the Murray Building at 70 Murray Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students must bring a photo ID with them and complete the daily health screening each day they visit campus. They can reserve a study time here.

Application Period Now Open for NSF-REU Paid Research Internships
During the summer of 2021, qualified BMCC students can receive a stipend of $4,600 to assist in research on the bioactivity of natural products. This opportunity is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at BMCC. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2021. For more information, visit the NSF-REU website.

Submit Your Ballot for the 2020-2021 Employee Appreciation Awards
BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement and creative contributions through their role at BMCC — beyond what is normally expected of employees. Submit one ballot with a detailed nomination in any or all categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 30, 2021.

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

BMCC Campus Closed Through January 2
The BMCC Campus will be closed to the general public through Saturday, January 2. Please visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more information.

Daily Everbridge Wellness Screening Mandatory for Faculty, Students, Visitors and Staff
While access to the BMCC campus is limited over the holiday break, anyone who does visit the campus must complete a daily health screening using the Everbridge App or the Everbridge Email Option. Students, faculty and staff can use this Instructional Guide and visitors can use this Visitor's Guide. The CUNY FAQ guide is also helpful.

Have You Traveled Outside New York Recently? New Everbridge Guidelines Apply.
The Everbridge COVID screening has been modified in response to New York travel guidelines.

If you have traveled to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont during the past seven days, answer “No” to the Everbridge app question, “Have you traveled outside of New York State or traveled internationally during the past seven days?”
If you have traveled to a state other than Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont in the last seven days, or if you have traveled internationally, you must answer “Yes” to that question.

Resilience, Health and Wellness: A Comprehensive Website Supports the BMCC Community
Whether focusing on fitness or finding support in a time of crisis, the Resilience, Health and Wellness website provides resources and news for students, faculty and staff. As BMCC President Anthony Munroe puts it, “As a community, we need to reach out to each other, encourage each other to access the resources available to us. No one has to experience this time alone.”

Enrollment

Winter/Spring 2021 Advisement and Registration is Open
Encourage students to schedule a Zoom meeting with their advisor to discuss spring registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst any time or meet with a Panther Station Specialists on Zoom, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Navigate Helps Students Stay on Top of Important Tasks
Encourage students to download BMCC Navigate, an interactive tool that customizes information on financial aid, creates To-Do lists for time-sensitive tasks and more. Students 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.

Virtual Admissions and Enrollment Services

ADMISSIONS. Students with questions including how to complete the BMCC application or apply as a readmit can zoom with an admissions specialist on Mondays at 10 a.m., Thursdays at 10 a.m. or Fridays at 2 p.m.
FINANCIAL AID. Students with questions including how to file a FASFA, loans and TAP can zoom with a financial aid specialist on Mondays at 2 p.m., Tuesdays at 2 p.m., Wednesdays at 10 a.m., or Fridays at 10 a.m.
REGISTRATION. Students with questions including how to register or change their class schedule can zoom with a registration specialist on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. or Thursdays at 2 p.m.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
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Making Headlines

Historic MacKenzie Scott gift to BMCC and other institution examined by amounts donated
December 18, 2020 — The Washington Post

MacKenzie Scott gifts totaling $60 million to Lehman College and BMCC put into context of amounts given by Scott in the last four months
December 17, 2020 — Bronx Times

Human Resources

BMCC will be closed Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1

W-2 Forms Will Be Mailed Soon: Submit Change of Address by December 30
FISA/OPA will print and mail 2020 W-2 Forms via USPS, directly to the employee’s address on file by mid-January 2021. If an employee has a mailing address on file, the W-2 will go to that mailing address, otherwise it will default to the home address. Submit address changes to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu by December 30, using this form.

Move More! Join an Online December Class in Zumba and More
WorkWell Digital provides online courses to help you stay centered, healthy and focused in times of isolation and working from home.

Join Webinar Through January 19 and Live a More Positive Life
A free webinar, Reframing Your World, will help participants shift their perspective for a more positive life. Provided through the CUNY WorkLife Program provided by CCA@YourService, the webinar is available on demand at noon through January 19, 2021. Use the Company Code, CUNY.

Stop Mental Health Stigma.Take the Let’s Talk Pledge
The Let’s Talk Pledge is part of Workwell NYC’s campaign to eliminate mental health stigma in the City of New York workforce by creating supportive workplaces and building resilience in employees. Take the pledge to make mental health a priority in the workplace, and speak out against mental health stigma.

WPV and ESPARC Training Mandatory for All Employees
Workplace Violence (WPV) and Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) trainings are available via CUNY Blackboard. First, review instructions on the Human Resources Training and Development webpage. Part-time employees must complete the training before the end of the current semester; full-time employees by July 30, 2021.

BMCC Brings Awareness to Domestic Violence Policy and Resources
BMCC and CUNY are committed to full compliance of laws governing domestic violence in the workplace, as well as promoting the health and safety of its employees and fighting to end domestic violence. Learn about CUNY’s policy here. If you need assistance or access to domestic violence resources, please contact the BMCC Office of Compliance and Diversity at (212) 220-1236.

Alumni and Donors

BMCC Hosts "Evening of Thanks" Virtual Event
BMCC donors, alumni and community partners were invited to a virtual "Evening of Thanks" on Dec. 17. Manny Romero, Executive Director of Public Affairs emceed the event which included remarks from BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe, BMCC Foundation Board Chair Tony Portannese, Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Hutmaker and two BMCC students Mariama Faye and Jose E. Cevallos. The event recognized all donors who have supported (and continue) to support BMCC. To make a donation to the BMCC Foundation CLICK HERE!

Required Minimum Distributions from IRA Waived in 2020
The CARES Act waives the requirement for IRA owners to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) in 2020 — but the qualified charitable distribution allowance for donors age 70½ or older still has an annual limit of $100,000. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Take Action Now on Charitable Deductions for Non-Itemizers
Rather than itemize their deductions, the CARES Act allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to claim a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made in 2020. Please donate to the BMCC Foundation at Giving to BMCC Foundation. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Free Webinar, January 13: Solve the Mystery of Life Insurance
Do you feel you have a good understanding of life insurance, and how it can help you achieve your financial goals? The BMCC Office of Institutional Advancement invites alumni, faculty, staff and friends to a free webinar about life insurance led by Larry Holzberg and Rufus Davenport of Fortis Lux Financial on Wednesday, January 13 at 2 p.m. Space is limited, so register now.

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