News

BMCC Partners With NBCUniversal News Group to Launch NBCU Academy 
BMCC has been selected as one of 17 colleges and universities nationwide to be part of the NBCU Academy, just launched by NBCUniversal News Group. The NBCU Academy is a multi-platform journalism training and development program providing on-campus training and online programming. The initiative also provides a curriculum for hands-on learning with world-class NBCU News Group journalists, as well as funding for accredited journalism programs and scholarships.

Announcements

Students Can Apply Through March 1, for NSF-REU Paid Research Internships During Summer 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. For more information, visit the NSF-REU website.

Laptop and 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—with the exception of MLK Day, Monday, January 18, when the college will be closed. That week, students can borrow devices on Tuesday, January 19 and Thursday, January 21. 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 can 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.

Run of Exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self" Extended to February 19 
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," up through February 19, can 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.

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

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.”

Daily Everbridge Wellness Screening Mandatory for Faculty, Students, Visitors and Staff 
Anyone who visits the BMCC 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 to meet New York travel guidelines. It will ask the question, "“Have you traveled outside of New York State or traveled internationally during the past seven days?”

• If you have traveled to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont during the past seven days, you must answer “No”
• 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”

Enrollment

Listen In: Authentic Student Conversations  See BMCC from a first-hand student perspective. In a limited-release podcast from BMCC Admissions, students and alumni look back at 2020 to talk choosing classes, club shenanigans, and fitting-in in an online college community. Listen and subscribe!

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 student 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 We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat

Making Headlines

BMCC announced as partner in NBCU News Group Academy 
January 14, 2021—Adweek

Teacher Education Professor Jen Gilken presents criteria for selecting the best states in which to raise a family
January 11, 2021—WalletHub

Human Resources

CUNY Holiday: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 18 
CUNY will commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18. Instructional and managerial staff are excused without charge to leave balances. Blue and white collar, and skilled trades employees will observe a regularly scheduled holiday. Hourly employees will be paid for time worked. 

Payroll Distribution: January 21
Employees who do not have direct deposit can pick up their paper payroll check on Thursday, January 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. only, at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry.

State Employees Sought to Assist in COVID Vaccination Effort  The New York State Department of Health seeks state employees—Paramedics, Nurse Practitioners, Security Staff, EMTs, Physicians or Physicians Assistants, Clerical Workers, Volunteer Firefighters, POD Managers, Financial and Procurement Personnel, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Planning/Logistics leads, Customer Service Specialists, Administration/Finance leads, IT Support Specialists and others—to assist in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Volunteers will be paid as if performing their regular CUNY duties. Assignments will be full time and cannot be done remotely. PPE will be provided. After receiving approval from their manager, staff can register here.

Free Online Seminar: Reframing Your World 
Learn practical ways to reframe your perspective and live a more present and positive life through free online resources and workshops. Register at CCA@YourService, company code CUNY or call (800) 833-8707.

Move More at Home, With Free Zumba, Yoga and Other Digital Classes 
Now through March, WorkWell Digital offers free online toning and conditioning, yoga, Zumba, meditation courses and more. Register online.

Alumni and Donors

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 for cash donations made to public charities. For 2021 only, the law doubles to $600 the maximum amount joint filers may deduct. (Single filers or married filers who file separately are limited to $300.) 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.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from IRAs Are Back in 2021
If you are of RMD age in 2021, you must resume RMDs for 2021 and continue for every year after. There is some good news, and that is that the qualified charitable distribution allowance for donors age 70½ or older is still available, with an annual limit of $100,000, to donors of 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.

Calendar

Fundamental Problems in Behavioral Economics With Mario Rizzo  January 14

Spring 2021 Pre-Registration Workshop
January 15

Online Free Workshop: How to Manage Your Time When Taking Classes online
January 18

Online Free Workshop: How to be a Successful Online Student
January 18, January 19, January 20, January 22

Connect with BMCC

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.