News

Theatre Program Debuts Original Musical Podcast, “The Life of Mary Rogers” BMCC’s Theatre program presents a four-chapter original audio musical theatre production, “The Life of Mary Rogers; An Incredible, Plausible, Entirely Made Up, True Story from 1841.”  All four episodes are available at the production’s homepage  BMCC website as well as audio platforms including Apple podcasts. The show’s faculty creators and the student actors will also host a live-streamed event on February 5 at 7 p.m.

Alumnus Kwame Amin Looks to Change the Healthcare System BMCC alumnus Kwame Amin (Science, ’10) earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Physician’s Assistant Studies. Now working in emergency services as a physician’s assistant, he has become aware of healthcare disparities in New York City and will soon complete an MBA in Strategic Healthcare Management—putting him in a position to help change the healthcare system.

BMCC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Cultivates Innovation and Student Success The BMCC 2020-2025 strategic plan is now online and available for review by the BMCC community. “This plan is the cornerstone of all of our assessment and planning activities and the site will ensure it is a living document—one that provides updates, dashboards, and opportunities for faculty, staff and students to share their stories,” said President Anthony Munroe.

2021 Afrikan Heritage Month Events Awaken and Inspire 
The 2021 Afrikan Heritage Month series of virtual events at BMCC will present workshops, performances and speakers through February 24.“In considering the theme for Afrikan Heritage Month 2021, one word continued to come up with the committee – ‘awakening,’” says Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Christopher Shults, who serves as Chair of the Afrikan Heritage Month planning committee. “The United States has undergone an awakening regarding life as a Black or Brown person living in America. Waking up to the disproportionate health and financial impacts of the pandemic on Black and Brown peoples. Waking up to the realization of systematic racism and injustice and institutionalized mechanisms of oppression. With awakening comes reckoning and the programming this year will highlight these issues while also celebrating the beauty of the Afrikan diaspora.”

Announcements

Registration for Late-Start Spring Express Classes Begins February 5
Students can enroll in BMCC’s new late-start, eight-week session that begins March 19 and ends May 20. The Spring Express session allows greater flexibility to start later in the term and avoid missing valuable class time. Spring Express is ideal for new students, students who had to drop a course in Spring 1 and need an extra class to maintain full-time status, or returning students desiring shorter and more flexible course offerings. Also, this new session will provide options for students needing extra time to complete an academic appeal and still enroll in the spring term. For more information, visit the Spring Express webpage.

Free Drop Off Tax Preparation for BMCC Community Available Through April 8 Students or parents of a dependent student, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to take advantage of free tax preparation assistance.  To use this service you must be a current BMCC student or parent of a dependent student, alumni, faculty or staff member and have total pre-tax household income at or below $66,000. For more information, contact the BMCC Advocacy and Resource Center at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu

Winter/Spring 2021 Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Course Catalog Now Available With all courses offered online — many of them free to qualifying students — opportunities abound in the BMCC Center for  Continuing  Education and Workforce Development. “Whether you are looking for a pathway to an associate degree or professional development that leads to improved career opportunities, the staff and instructors at the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development are here to welcome, support and inspire you,” said BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe.  The center is helping New Yorkers get back to work.

February 19 Deadline and What Else to Know if Students Ask About NSLS Eligible students have been emailed Spring 2021 invitations to join BMCC's chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS). Students who accept the nomination by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 19 — 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.

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.

CUNY Theatre Festival, March 20, Invites Student Submissions of Original Work
BMCC students are invited to join the sixth annual CUNY Theatre Festival (CTF), live streamed on March 20. Day and evening programs will present workshops, panels and lectures from theatre professionals, as well as original ten-minute plays and monologues written, directed and acted by CUNY students. BMCC student playwrights, directors, design/tech majors and actors are invited to register at the CTF website. BMCC studentscan also submit director applications, original plays and monologues by February 7; student actors and designers are invited to submit applications by February 14. For more information, contact Professor Keith Winsted at  cunytheatrefestival@gmail.com.

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. 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.

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

The Reimagining BMCC Website Now Provides a Quick Reference to Student Resources 
Scroll down the Reimagining BMCC website to find Faculty Resources, Staff Resources and Student Resources — the last of which now includes a handy listing of services, offices, their hours of operation and virtual contact information to assist you as your guide students toward resources during the academic year. Other sections continue providing information on campus reopening, procedures, safety measures and more.

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

Making Headlines

BMCC  one of ten colleges honored for virtual support during pandemic
Feb. 3, 2021—University Business

BMCC Theatre Presentation The Life of Mary Rogers Featured
Feb. 2, 2021—Broadway World

Adriana Lau joins BMCC as controller and director of related entities 
Dec. 17, 2020—Women in Academia Report

Human Resources

Are You Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Many City employees are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, effective and will help end the COVID-19 pandemic. To find out if you are eligible visit nyc.gov. Bookmark the page and check back often. If you're eligible, make an appointment online. 

2020 W-2 Now Available Electronically
2020 W-2s are available electronically on the NYCAPS webpage. Employees who have an existing account can access their W-2 by signing onto NYCAPS. To create a NYCAPS account, click here. Detailed instructions on how to create your account are available here or on the BMCC Human Resources website under Payroll.

Free Webinar: “Setting Goals for Your Future Available Feb. 16
Setting Goals for Your Future a free webinar provided by CCA@YourService & CUNY’s WorkLife Program.  Available under Online Seminars starting February 16.  To access the webinar, visit www.myccaonline.com Company Code: CUNY

Nourishing A Healthy Heart Webinar: February 5
Celebrate Heart Health Month pm February 5 at 12 noon with a live cooking demonstration featuring a healthy takeout meal makeover: pineapple fried rice! Learn what foods are good for your heart and how to prepare delicious, heart-healthy meals for the whole family. This event takes place on Wear Red Day to raise awareness for heart health, so put on your best red outfit and join us! Register online.

A Year of COVID, Working Through Collective Trauma: February 10
A year of pandemic living has affected everyone in some shape or form. Join WWNYC and Thrive NYC on February 10 at 12 noon as we look back on the year and review some lessons learned, strengths we have gained, and strategies for moving forward. Register online.

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

Alumni and Donors

Virtual Alumni Chat: From Macy's Retail to a Corporate Career in Data Privacy  The BMCC Office of Alumni Relations hosted a Virtual Alumni Chat featuring alumnus Tom Mullaly (Business Management, '10) on February 3.  After BMCC, Mullaly went on to earn both a Bachelor’s degree as well as an MBA in Organizational Development from Baruch College (CUNY).  During the chat, Mullaly talked about moving up the career ladder at Macy’s from a retail job to corporate positions in operations, e-commerce, program management and communications. Today he is the Data Privacy Program Manager at Publicis Health. Mullaly credits BMCC for being the stepping stone that launched his corporate career.

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.

Thank you for Giving the Gift of Education
Your generous donations go a long way in funding scholarships, research and programs that allow us to continue delivering quality education to our students. Some of the ways to give include Direct Gifts, Gifts of Securities, Gifts of Real Estate and many more. For more information, please visit the Ways to Give website, call the Office for Institutional Advancement at (212) 220-8020 or email lmalcolm@bmcc.cuny.edu). Your support goes a long way, and is very appreciated.

Calendar

The Dream U.S. Scholarship Workshop
February 5

Afrikan Heritage Month: The Lost History of the So-Called American Negro
February 5

The Life of Mary Rogers: Meet the Cast
February 5

Accounting Cycle Workshop
February 6

Afrikan Heritage Month: Channeling Our Voices for Justice-The Ways We Experience Racial Injustice in the U.S.
February 8

Connect with BMCC

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