January 7, 2021 FacebookTwitterInstagram
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Pinning

Virtual Pinning Ceremony Honors BMCC Nursing Program Graduates
The BMCC Nursing program recognized 143 graduates from the classes of June 2020 and January 2021 during a virtual pinning ceremony January 6. In the weeks to come, the most recent BMCC graduates will take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (RNs). “What you have achieved is tremendous,” President Anthony E. Munroe told the graduates. “You are embarking on a journey into a career that has been significantly challenged because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it is a rewarding career, it is a high calling.”

Economics

Three Economics Majors Admitted to Competitive Program at Columbia University
Three BMCC Economics majors—Batyah Sneiderman, Rony Vasquez and Erika Carreon— have been accepted to Columbia University for the Spring 2021 semester. Over the years, several BMCC Economics majors have been accepted to the Ivy League institution in upper Manhattan, but this is the first time three students have been selected in the same semester.

Announcements

NSF

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.

ID "ID: Formations of the Self" at Shirley Fiterman Art Center Extended to Feb. 19
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," is up through February 19. The artwork can be viewed through the exterior storefront windows of Fiterman Hall. Shown at left: Christie Neptune, “Head Bowed in Assembled Construction,” 2018, Digital Chromogenic Print, Image courtesy of artist
Library 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.

Laptop or iPad Distribution Has Resumed
Eligible BMCC students can borrow a laptop or iPad on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BMCC gym, 100 North Moore Street. At this time, the service will only be 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 Available
Students are 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.

Campus Planning and Facilities

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.
Veterans

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

Enrollment

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

Navigate 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 

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

Making Headlines

BMCC receives $150,000 NEH grant
January 6, 2021—Community College Daily

Poetry collection by BMCC Professor Cheryl J. Fish, Crater & Tower, reviewed
January 5, 2021—Terrain.org

President Anthony Munroe discusses $30 million Mackenzie Scott donation
January 4, 2021—Inside Higher Ed

BMCC Nursing student perseveres despite COVID-19 and other challenges
December 24, 2020—USA Today, The Hechinger Report

Human Resources

Lapides Obituary: English Professor Robert Lapides
Robert Lapides, professor emeritus in the English Department, husband of Professor Diane Dowling, died on January 1, 2021. At BMCC for over 40 years, Professor Lapides will be remembered for his passion, his life-long fight for social, economic, and racial justice, and his commitment to building communities where differences can be expressed. Never afraid to speak up or ask questions, he was genuinely interested in his students and colleagues. His intense curiosity about people, places, politics, history, literature, psychology, religion--about what it means to be human--informed all his efforts. He encouraged his students to embrace their humanity, including the parts of themselves they felt they needed to hide, building their courage to write honestly. His legacy can be found in his influence on the many students and colleagues he worked with, the online communities he created, in his faculty magazine Hudson River, and for editing Lodz Ghetto, collected writings left behind by Jews confined to the Lodz Ghetto in WWII. Until the end, he was working on his book about the creative development of Charles Dickens, which will be published posthumously. Condolences to Diane and their children Isaac and Rachel may be sent to ddowling@bmcc.cuny.edu or to 137 W 12th St. New York, NY 10011. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Move More Class Schedule
The January and March Move More class digital from Work Well Digital at this link.  Classes available include Yoga, toning and conditioning, meditation and so much more.

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

IRA 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.

Zumba

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

Calendar

BMCC Learning Academy Information Session
January 8

Online Free Workshop: How to Manage Your Time When Taking Classes Online (Students Only)
January 11

Study Abroad Workshop
January 12

Workshop: How to Apply to BMCC
January 12

Online Free Workshop: How to Be a Successful Online Student (Students Only)
January 13

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