@BMCC

May 20, 2021

Coronavirus Vaccines Required for CUNY Students Attending Fall 2021 In-person Classes
On May 10, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all students attending in-person classes at all CUNY schools will be required to get COVID-19 vaccinations before the Fall 2021 semester. Getting the coronavirus vaccine is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves and loved ones from COVID-19. All New Yorkers age 16 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. Find locations to make an appointment. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

NEWS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings.

CUNY Chancellor Announces that CUNY Staff Will Return to In-Person Work the Week of August 2
CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez announced on May 13 that CUNY staff, including those at BMCC, will return to their campus workplaces the week of August 2. Faculty will follow in accordance with the BMCC academic calendar. The return to in-person work will be guided by the University’s safety-first approach, which includes a blended scheduling system combining remote and in-person arrangements. Full details of the CUNY flexible work guidelines and how to request reasonable accommodations are available here. The chancellor also urged faculty and staff to get the Covid-19 vaccine. To read the chancellor’s full message, click here.

BMCC Hosts College-Wide Forum to Address Fall 2021 and Safety Concerns
More than 300 BMCC faculty, staff and students attended a virtual college-wide forum on May 18 where college officials and faculty addressed an array of concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as a projected return to campus in Fall 2021. After welcoming attendees, BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe took a moment to strongly condemn a May 16 act of campus vandalism that took place outside the “Interventions” exhibit at Shirley Fiterman Art Center. The incident, which included a racist derogatory slur, is being investigated by the NYPD hate crimes unit. President Munroe also updated the college community on the latest guidance from the state of New York as well as CUNY regarding Fall 2021. Experts from BMCC’s Buildings and Grounds team detailed steps the college will be taking to ensure safety in classrooms, offices and other public areas. To watch the entire forum, click here.

2021-22 Student Government Association Officers and Senators Elected
BMCC students have elected the 2021-22 Student Government Association officers and senators. Congratulations to: Nana Wiafe Addae Owusu, President, Ravjinder Kaur, Vice President, Ivanoba Castillo, Treasurer and Nathalia Rodriguez, Secretary. Senators include: Rayon Chan, Gil Saligumba, Silvana Chanchicocha, Yiyang Sun, Jonathan Davis, Myat Theingi, Camerie Mazreku, Shauna-Kay Thomas, Ruth Medrano, Emily Thomason and Delfina Roybal. The new SGA officers and senators have been certified and will begin their terms on July 1.

BMCC Recognized at Aspen Prize Ceremony
BMCC was recognized as one of ten community colleges—out of 1,000 nationwide— that made it to the final round for the 2021 Aspen Prize during a virtual ceremony May 18. Featured speakers included U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cordona and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Ruth Williams-Brinkley, President, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States said BMCC has a deep focus on the economic mobility of its student body. The winner of the 2021 Aspen Prize was San Antonio College, part of the Alamo college district in Texas.

BMCC Partners With CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies and Guttman Community College to Launch The Urban Academy
The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, in partnership with BMCC and Stella and Charles Guttman Community College, has announced the launch of the Urban Academy. The Urban Academy is a new program that provides a pathway to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Community Studies at CUNY SLU, while students work towards their Associate degree in their Community College.

Announcements

BMCC Will Celebrate the Class of 2021 on June 4
BMCC will celebrate the academic success of its students during a virtual ceremony on June 4 at 11 a.m. Ceremony participants can upload their photo and share thank you notes and thoughts about their experience at BMCC at the 2021 Commencement webpage.

Deadline For Registering to Vote in NYC Primaries is May 28
To vote in the June 22 primary election using ranked choice voting, you must be registered in a political party. Voters will choose their preferred candidates for local offices on the ballot who will advance to the general election in November. To register online or request an absentee ballot, click here for CUNY VOTES.

How to Submit Requests to the Office of Public Affairs
The BMCC Office of Public Affairs builds support for BMCC’s mission and promotes the accomplishments of its constituencies. The Office of Public Affairs also helps implement strategic communications initiatives and events that support academic programs, faculty research, student achievement and community engagement. To request assistance from the Office of Public Affairs, please fill out this form and provide a project description and other details.

Enter 199 Chambers Street at West Street Entrance While Ramp Is Closed
To complete the Plaza Roofing Replacement Project before Fall 2021, ramp access to the BMCC entrance at 199 Chambers Street will be off-limits to the general public. Access to the main campus will be through the West Gate (on West Street at the south end of the building, and adjacent to Theatre I). As you walk west on Chambers Street, turn right at the intersection of Chambers and West Street, and the West Gate will be about 200 feet north. A Public Safety team member and signage will guide members of the community into the main building. Thank you for your cooperation.

Free Immersion Program for Remedial Courses
BMCC immersion workshops and tutorial programs provide eligible students a chance to complete certain courses they did not pass, or need to take to satisfy their remedial requirements. Both immersion workshops and tutorial programs are free. Click here to see the workshops and tutorials offered in Summer 2021. For more information, contact immersion@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.

Learn More About Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) at BMCC
Under the guidance of BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe, the Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) steering committee explores ways to dismantle systemic racism and structural inequality by advancing equity, inclusion and justice for students, staff, faculty and all BMCC communities. As the conscience of the College, the REI steering committee strives to amplify all BMCC members' voices, providing actionable items for the College to prioritize and institutionalize. For more information, visit the REI webpage or contact REI@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Nominate an Outstanding Employee or Team for the Employee Appreciation Award by June 18
Time to cast your ballot! BMCC students, faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for the  2020-2021 BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards presented to full- and part-time administrative, support and service (non-teaching) staff members in appreciation of their quality of work and dedication to the College. Eligible staff 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 is Friday, June 18.  Submit one ballot ONLY with nominations for one or more of these categories: Leadership Award, Inspiration Award, Innovation/Technology Award, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement.

Were You in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001?
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, BMCC invites 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 to share their thoughts and experiences. A planning committee led by Vice President Marva Craig is organizing the college's commemoration of this important milestone and there will be a variety of platforms through which to participate. Please begin by completing this form.

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
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 your own health, as well as that of the BMCC community, it is important to be accurate as possible in self reporting on the Wellness app.

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

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

Catch Up on Credits or Get Back on Track to Earning a Degree This Summer
Summer classes at BMCC help students jump start their fall semester, catch up on credits or get back on track to earning a degree. BMCC offers summer class schedules ranging from six to 12 weeks. Session One begins May 27 and Session Two starts July 20. Tuition waivers are available for certain summer courses. Students enrolled at other CUNY schools are welcome to enroll in BMCC summer courses through e-permit. Learn more about Summer at BMCC and important deadlines, as well as application and financial aid information here.

Summer/Fall 2021 Advisement and Registration is Open
Faculty and staff, please encourage students to schedule a Zoom meeting with their advisor to discuss their academic progress and registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station Specialists on Zoom, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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.

Stay Connected with the Office of Admissions
Students who prefer communicating via chat, can ask general questions about BMCC on Fridays at 3 p.m., through one-on-one chat sessions. Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat.

Making Headlines

Vandalism at Shirley Fiterman Art Center Being Investigated by NYPD Hate Crimes Unit
May 20, 2021—Lower Manhattan's Local News

BMCC Recognized at Aspen Prize Ceremony
May 20, 2021—University Business

Human Resources

Mandatory Workplace Violence and ESPARC Training Deadline Approaching
All BMCC employees must complete both a Workplace 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. To take the trainings—go to CUNY Blackboard, following instructions on the HR Training and Development webpage.

Enjoy Free Yoga, Meditation, Boxing and More Through June 18
WorkWell (WW) Digital presents virtual movement workshops through May. Workshops in chair yoga, meditation, dance cardio, kickboxing and more are available, so register now. Other free virtual workshop options are available on nyc.gov. Work Well members have three plan options: Digital, Digital 360, and Workshops + Digital – all available at a discounted rate for City of New York employees and their families! Find information about all three plan offerings and pricing here. Recipe of the month, Grilled Corn & Avocado Salsa.

9/11 Victims Compensation Fund: File Claim by July 29
If you were employed or a student at BMCC between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002, please know that the normal deadline for filing a claim with the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is two years from the certification of an illness by the World Trade Center Health program (WTCHP) or two years after the death of a loved one. With the permanent reauthorization of the VCF in 2019, a two-year window allows previously time-barred claims (claims which were not filed within the time limit) to be submitted. This extension, however, expires on July 29, 2021. More information is available at vcf.gov/deadlines. NOTE: 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.

Alumni and Donors

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 legal amount 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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