@BMCC

April 8, 2021

BMCC Experts Address Coronavirus Vaccine Hesitancy With Historical Context and Facts
All New Yorkers aged 16 and older—including BMCC students, faculty and staff—are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. So far, more than 107 million individuals in the United States have received at least one dose of the vaccine with an average three million more being vaccinated each day according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the vaccine’s tested safety and efficacy, there is still some concern among individuals throughout the country, including BMCC community members. Health Education Professor Lesley Rennis and Science Professor Catarina Mata share important information about the vaccine's safety, development and how it works to stop Covid-19.

Three BMCC Students—the Only CUNY Recipients—Selected as FEA Study Abroad Scholars
Three of the 91 college students selected nationwide to receive 2021-2022 Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarships are enrolled at BMCC. Psychology major Amanda Amezquita, Nursing major Dominique Talley (shown left) and Criminal Justice major Kimberly Vega are also the only CUNY students selected for the study abroad program. Amezquita's goal is to travel to the Czech Republic; Vega hopes to travel to Legon Ghana and Talley wants to visit Peru. The scholars will probably have the option of deferring their scholarships up through Summer 2022, an accommodation FEA is weighing as it responds to travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

32nd Annual Asian Heritage Month Will “Enlighten, Engage and Entertain”
BMCC Acting Provost Erwin Wong—co-chair of the 32nd annual Asian Heritage Month Committee along with Lisa White, Mark Goodloe and Albert Lee—opens the month in a welcome video and provides an overview of events scheduled through April 30. These include film screenings, a poetry contest, traditional Chinese medicine workshop, dumpling-making competition and more. All events are free and open to the BMCC community. To receive a Zoom link for any event, registration is required.

BMCC Economics Graduate Lands Semester in DC Fellowship
Charles Reid, a 2017 graduate of the BMCC Economics program, has landed a fellowship in the Semester in DC program which is part of the Colin Powell School for Leadership and Global Leadership at City College of New York, CUNY. As part of the fellowship, Reid will be interning on a remote basis at the Twelfth Federal Reserve Bank District Headquarters in San Francisco.

You Are Eligible: All New Yorkers Age 16 and Up Can Get Vaccinated
CUNY has announced that all New Yorkers age 16 and up are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine—regardless of citizenship status, health coverage and employment. To get an appointment, all you need is an ID verifying your age and N.Y. State residency. Schedule your appointment through the New York City or New York State vaccine finders. After you’re fully vaccinated, you'll be protected against severe symptoms of COVID-19 and you can more safely visit fully vaccinated friends and family indoors. You can also travel with fewer restrictions and register for the New York State Excelsior Pass, a digital document that verifies you've been vaccinated so you can attend in-person events now re-opening! BMCC faculty, staff and students are encouraged to share their selfies getting the COVID vaccine using #VaxUpCUNY.

BMCC Partners With LaGuardia Community College on Global Scholars Achieving Career Success Project
BMCC has partnered with LaGuardia Community College, CUNY on a program to virtually connect young people around the world. The project, Global Scholars Achieving Career Success (GSACS), is funded by the Stevens Initiative and will bring together thousands of young people from the United States, the Middle East and North Africa through virtual global exchanges. Participants will collaborate on experiential learning projects that explore United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to their local and international communities. They will present their work at a student-led conference and engage in career development workshops. “Our mission at BMCC is about student success, and having our students become global citizens aware of events beyond the four walls of a classroom, is part of that mission,” said Erwin Wong, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. To learn more about the Stevens Initiative, click here.

Announcements

Were You in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001?
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, BMCC is reaching out to students, faculty, staff and alumni who were present in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001 or were a member of the BMCC community for the rest of that semester and school year. A planning committee led by Vice President Marva Craig would like to invite these community members to share their thoughts and experiences as part of the college's commemoration of this important milestone. There will be a variety of platforms through which to participate. Please begin by completing this form.

To Invite President Munroe to Speak at Your Event, Please Use This Form
As we continue to prepare virtual events, the Office of Public Affairs wants to encourage everyone at BMCC to begin using this online form—found on the President’s Bio page and on the BMCC Experts page—to invite President Anthony Munroe to attend or speak at your event. Using this form will alert the President’s staff and Public Affairs with your event request; provide a formal record of your invitation and streamline the scheduling process in order for us to respond to your request more effectively. BMCC continues to evolve, and we appreciate your support as we make these adjustments to enhance our services across the college.

Employee Appreciation Nomination Deadline Extended to June 18
Time to cast your ballot! BMCC is accepting ballot submissions from students, faculty and staff for the 2020-2021 BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards, which are presented to full-time and part-time administrative and/or support and service (non-teaching) staff members who were nominated in appreciation of their overall quality of work and dedication to the College. Eligible staff levels include: Civil Service series (including Provisional); College Assistants; Research Foundation employees; Gittleson (COA, CSA, CAA); and HEO Title Series. Full- and part-time faculty are not eligible for this award. The deadline for ballot submissions has been extended to Friday, June 18, 2021. SUBMIT A BALLOT by entering nominations for the Leadership Award, Inspiration Award, Innovation/Technology Award, Rookie of the Year, and Team Achievement. BMCC community members have only ONE opportunity to submit a ballot.

President’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation Proposal Submission Process Available
The President’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation (PFEI) was established through the generous and ground-breaking donation of philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott. The Fund will support strategic investment in innovative projects, initiatives and programming that advance the College’s mission and honor Ms. Scott’s desire to focus on basic needs, equity and inclusion, economic mobility and support for the demographic population served by the College. BMCC faculty, staff and students can submit proposals in a two-step process. Proposals must adhere to the guiding principles of the Fund, support the mission and vision of BMCC, and meet one or more of the thematic areas of need: Teaching and Curriculum Initiatives, Transformational Student Support or Innovative Programs. Deadlines and guidance are on the PFEI website. For more information contact Lorna Malcolm, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at lmalcolm@bmcc.cuny.edu

Encourage Students to Submit Original Writing, Drawings and Photographs
Through May 17, BMCC students in any major are invited to submit an original drawing, photograph, poem or reflection up to 300 words on the theme “Hard Times in the Modern World,” for inclusion on the Modern Language Colloquium web page. Living through a pandemic has deeply affected everyone’s lives, and the colloquium seeks to include the perspective of students on these times. Let students know they can upload their submission and to direct any questions to the Modern Languages Department at rzelaya@bmcc.cuny.edu.

MOMA/CUNY Now Selecting Student Ambassador Cohort, Deadline April 15
As part of a MoMA/CUNY partnership, MoMA will host Cohort 2 of CUNY student ambassadors. BMCC degree-seeking and continuing education student ambassadors interested in arts education and administration—and legally eligible to work in the United States—will attend mandatory virtual seminars June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 and a public program on June 30. They will learn about modern art, meet museum professionals and receive a $900 stipend upon completion. Applicants must submit as email attachments, a resume and 500-word cover letter explaining why they are applying, what they hope to gain and how this program will enhance their education and career plans. The email subject line must read, “MoMA/CUNY Student Ambassador Application” and the body of the email include the applicant's name, contact information, CUNY school, major/degree and how they heard about the program. These materials and any questions should go to Hannah Fagin (hannah_fagin@moma.org) by April 15.

Virtual Sixth Annual Teacher Education Day: April 17
BMCC students in any major are invited to the sixth annual Teacher Education Day, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will choose from virtual talks including "Gender Equity in Education" with Cris Mayo, editor-in-chief of the Oxford Encyclopedia on Gender and Sexuality in Education; "Achieving Equity: Black Men in Education" with Reuben Quansah, NYC Men Teach and Ashtian Holmes, BMCC Urban Male Leadership Academy, and more. Register to receive the zoom link.

Digital Faculty Art Show “Notes from the Underground” Up Through April 23
The Shirley Fiterman Arts Center (SFAC) will present “Notes from the Underground,” a digital exhibition of recent BMCC faculty artwork on Instagram and Facebook through April 23. The show will also be available on the SFAC website. Image: Aisha Tandiwe Bell, Radiate Release Resolve, Clay, acrylic, metal leaf on wood

BMCC Celebrates Women's HerStory Month Through April 22
This year’s theme, "Empowering Women in the New Normal: Body, Mind and Soul," focuses on issues surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Forthcoming events include, Media Arts for Fun With Caroline Mays and Womb Wellness. Visit the WHM events calendar for details.

Visit ITS Website for Computer Lab and TEC Availability Information
Faculty and staff can visit the BMCC Instructional Technology Services (ITS) webpage to check availability and log into computer lab and Technology Enhanced Classrooms (TECs). ITS staff are available to assist faculty with using technology in education, research, conferences and special events. For more information, click here.

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.

Electronic Devices Available through Campus Distribution
Eligible BMCC students can borrow an electronic device 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.

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.

Consult BMCC Virtual Events Website, for Support in Planning Classroom Activities and Special Events
BMCC offers different ways to host Virtual Events. These include Zoom Meetings, Zoom Webinars and Livestream. To keep those events secure, review the updated CUNY Zoom Security Protocol page.

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
All visitors to 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. For those who do not have a smartphone, go to the Everbridge Member Portal and sign up, using your CUNY login credentials to receive email notifications. To protect the health of the BMCC community, it is important to be accurate as possible in self reporting on the Wellness app.

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

Application Workshop Walks Students Through the Process
Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., admissions specialists will answer questions and explain how to complete the BMCC application or apply as a readmit student. BMCC uses the CUNY Application to admit new students, and in these sessions, staff will walk students through the whole process—from completing the CUNY application online to figuring out how to send BMCC their school transcripts to complete their applications.

Information Session Demystifies Majors, Financial Aid and More
On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m, BMCC admissions specialists will share information about major options, financial aid, career planning and more.

Chat with Admissions Staff
Students who prefer communicating via chat, can ask general questions about BMCC on Fridays at 3 p.m., through one-on-one chat sessions.

Listen In: Podcast Series Features Authentic Student Conversations
Get a first-hand perspective on BMCC. In a limited-release podcast series from BMCC Admissions, students and alumni look back at 2020 in conversations on choosing classes, club shenanigans, and fitting-in, in an online college community. Listen and subscribe!

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

Making Headlines

Immense personal library of BMCC Adjunct Professor Tom Burgess, who died of Covid-19, sold on pay-what-you-can basis in Washington Heights pop-up store
April 5, 2021—New York Magazine

Human Resources

City Employee-Only Vaccination Updates
BMCC employees can take advantage of these dedicated locations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine: Bronx, Hunts Point Job Center; Brooklyn, George Wingate High School; Manhattan, Louis D. Brandeis High School; Queens, NYC Department of Health or Queens Public Library, and Staten Island, Susan E. Wagner High School. Register online here for the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan locations. Register online here for Queens and Staten Island. Enter your employee ID number to unlock appointments at employee-only clinics.

Payroll Distribution: Thursday, April 15
BMCC employees who do not have direct deposit can pick up their paper payroll check on Thursday, April 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. only, at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry.

Mandatory Workplace Violence and ESPARC Trainings Now Available via Zoom
All BMCC employees must complete both a Work Place Violence Awareness (WPV) and Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) training. Part-time employees must complete both trainings before the end of this semester. Full-time employees must complete both trainings by July 30, 2021. There are two options for taking the trainings. One is through CUNY Blackboard, following instructions on the HR Training and Development webpage. The other option is Zoom classes led by HR staff at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. on these days for ESPARC: April 22, May 6 and May 20, and these days for WPV: April 20, May 4 and May 18. Reserve a Zoom seat through Josefa Larios at jlarios@bmcc.cuny.edu; space will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

911 Victims Compensation Fund: Are You Eligible?
If you were employed or a student at BMCC between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002, you might be interested in the 911 Victims Compensation Fund. Several firms specialize in World Trade Center Victim’s Compensation Fund claims, and can be viewed in the 911 Victims Fund PDF. BMCC/CUNY does not endorse any of these firms, and they are listed solely for informational purposes. You may find additional resources by doing a World Trade Center Victim’s Compensation Fund Google search. Information to register for the fund is available at vcf.gov/deadlines.

Join WW and Celebrate National Nutrition Month
Join WW and learn about the new holistic program. To register, click here. Join between April 1 and May 15 and get a free fresh start kit. The recipe of the Month: Italian Vegetable and Egg Scramble and 10 additional meals is bursting with Spring flavors

Now Is the Time to Set Up a NY State Deferred Compensation Plan
CUNY employees are in a unique position to save for retirement. Make an appointment with Arlene Werner, Retirement Specialist and BMCC's dedicated account executive for the 457 Plan through CUNY at (614) 854-4547 or wernea2@Nationwide.com. Review your existing plan or discuss benefits and get enrolled. Employees 50 and older, learn about the 50+ catch-up plan. Visit the NY State Deferred Compensation Plan website or call (800) 422-8463.

Webinar Offers Tips on Decluttering for Spring
Spring cleaning is a fun way to be active. View Work Well’s Decluttering for Your Best Life Webinar for spring cleaning inspiration. This WorkWell NYC webinar is free and now available.

Alumni and Donors

BMCC Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends Invited to a Webinar With James Piscitelli
Do you have proper insurance protection for your family's most valuable asset? Do you know the most effective way to insure your belongings or what events are not covered by your policies? Attorney James Piscitelli has served with State Farm Insurance for 15 years and can help you with these important questions and more. Now is the time to make the best plan for you and your family. Space is limited, so please register now for this free webinar brought to you by the BMCC Office of Institutional Advancement. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Give the Gift of Education
Your generous donations go a long way in funding scholarships, research and programs, and allow us to continue delivering quality education to our students. 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 is greatly appreciated.

Take Action Now on Charitable Deductions for Non-Itemizers
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 consider a charitable donation to 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.

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