News

Mildred Howard, “In the Line of Fire,” 1996, Screen printing, plywood. Image courtesy of artist.

Town Hall Addresses Defacement of Fiterman Art Gallery
On May 26, a BMCC virtual town hall organized by the BMCC Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) task force drew over 100 members of the BMCC community to address last week's defacement with racial epithets on the windows of BMCC's Shirley Fiterman Art Center. BMCC continues to work with the NYPD on the investigation. One of two exhibitions seen through the Art Center's windows, "In the Line of Fire" by Mildred Howard, highlights Black soldiers in the first World War and the experience of Black men as targets of violence in America today. "Black communities know all too well, what it means to be in the line of fire," said BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe in his opening remarks. "Our BMCC community and our students know what that means. Intolerance of any kind is swiftly addressed at BMCC." The Shirley Fiterman Art Center exhibition “Interventions," which features two shows: "Mildred Howard: In the Line of Fire and Ned Smyth: Moments of Matter and Life,” will open June 3 and be on display through September 25.

BMCC Graduates Take the Next Step With Select Transfer Opportunities
Despite the challenges presented by a deadly global pandemic, BMCC has continued to offer opportunities to students who want to pursue them. These include two outstanding 2021 graduates—Criminal Justice major Cristina Diaz (shown left) and Economics major Thinn Nandar Soe (shown left).

Distinguished Teaching Award Winners Engage and Inspire Students Despite Pandemic
The 2021 Distinguished Teaching award winners are (shown L-R, above) English Professor Elizabeth Albrecht, Computer Information Professor Mohammad Azhar, Modern Languages Professor Sophie Marinez and English Professor Nettie (Chris) Vinsonhaler. Although the past year presented unprecedented challenges to the entire BMCC community, the college’s faculty rose to the occasion and used the moment to further engage and inspire students. 

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.

Alumna Sandra Lindsay, First to Receive Covid Vaccination, Is BMCC's 2021 President's Medal Honoree The Class of 2021 Virtual Celebration on June 4 at 11 a.m. will feature speakers including President's Medal Honoree Sandra Lindsay (Nursing, ’94), who serves as Director of Nursing for critical care at Northwell Health's Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens and has been recognized nationally as the first person to receive the Covid vaccination in the United States. After earning an Associate in Nursing degree at BMCC—where she was valedictorian of the Nursing program—Dr. Lindsay received a bachelor’s in Nursing from St. Joseph’s college, a masters degree in Nursing from Lehman College, CUNY, and an MBA from Hofstra University. In March 2021, Dr. Lindsay completed a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with a concentration in global health, leadership and organizational behavior from A. T. Still University. Having accrued more than 26 years of nursing experience, much of it in critical care, she is a fierce advocate for vaccine confidence, especially in underserved communities.

Join Nursing Pinning Ceremony Featuring BMCC Alumna Dr. Sandra Lindsay, Nation's First Covid Vaccine Recipient 
Join a live stream of the BMCC Nursing Program's pinning ceremony, a symbolic welcoming of newly graduated or soon-to-be-graduated nurses into the nursing profession. This year's ceremony will feature Dr. Sandra Lindsay (Nursing, '94), who was the nation's first recipient of the Covid vaccine. BMCC offers both a full-time and a part-time, evening and weekend nursing programs for students who wish to become registered nurses. Highlights of the nursing curriculum include courses in medical-surgical nursing care, pediatric care, maternal-newborn care and psychiatric nursing care. Contact nursing@bmcc.cuny.edu if you have any questions about the Nursing program. To join the live stream on June 2 from 3 to 6 p.m., click here.

Vaccination Incentive: 12- to 17-year-olds Can Enter Drawing for Full CUNY Scholarship  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the Get a Shot to Make Your Future incentive for 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Participants can enter a random prize drawing and potentially receive a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY college beginning May 27. New York State will administer the random drawing and select 10 winners a week over five weeks for a total of 50 winners. "Vaccination rates across the state are beginning to slow and our greatest need is with young New Yorkers who make up a large percent of positive cases and have the lowest vaccination percentage in the state," Governor Cuomo said. "The earlier you get vaccinated, the more chances you have to win—it's free, there's no appointments and you also have a chance to win a full scholarship, so if you haven't already done so, go get vaccinated."

Announcements

Early Voting Comes to BMCC, June 12-20 Primary Day is June 22 — and from June 12 through June 20, BMCC is opening its campus to NYC voters for Early Voting in this year’s primary elections for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents and City Council. Voters assigned to the BMCC Early Voting site will enter 199 Chambers Street through the West Street entrance and proceed to the lower atrium of the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. “We take great pride in our role as a public institution to encourage and support civic engagement and voter participation—not only for our students, but for the city as a whole,” said Doug Israel, Director of Government and Community Relations. “We are pleased to be able to offer the space at BMCC for early voting and urge all New Yorkers to make their voice heard through the ballot box.” To learn more check out CUNY Votes.

Deadline June 18: Nominate an Outstanding Employee or Team for the Employee Appreciation Award 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.

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.

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

Former PSC CUNY undergraduate student organizer for BMCC endorsed for Yonkers City Council 
May 26, 2021—Yonkers Tribune

BMCC staffer Cody Lyon pens op-ed praising LGBTQ bars for requiring proof of vaccination
May 26, 2021—Gay City News

YouthBuild alumnus Jude Steffers-Wilson wins 2020 Stoneman Scholarship to attend BMCC 
May 24, 2021—Harlem World Magazine 

Human Resources

BMCC Closed Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day
The day is a scheduled holiday for most employees. Hourly employees will be paid based on time worked only. To learn more, visit the CUNY Employee Holiday and Annual Leave calendar.

LGBTQIA+ 101: Creating Inclusive Spaces Join WorkWell in celebrating Pride Awareness Month this June by tuning in to this discussion on Wednesday, June 16 at 12 p.m. to learn how to create inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. Register Here

Make Your Appointment at a CUNY Employee-Only Vaccination Site
All CUNY employees are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine an employee-only site.To book an appointment, use your employee ID number at either use Bronx/Queens/Staten Island or Brooklyn/Manhattan sites, or go to these sites: 

• The Bronx, Hunts Point Job Center, 847 Barretto Street, Bronx, NY 10474  
• Brooklyn, George Wingate High School, 600 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203  
• Manhattan, Louis D. Brandeis High School, 145 W 84th St, New York, NY 10024 
• Queens, NYC Department of Health Gotham Center, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101 
• Queens, Queens Public Library – Flushing, 41-17 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355  
• Staten Island, Susan E. Wagner High School, 1200 Manor Rd Staten Island, NY 10314  

WPV and ESPARC Training Deadlines: July 30 Deadline 
All BMCC employees must complete Workplace Violence Awareness (WPV) and Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) trainings. Part-time employees should have completed both trainings by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Full-time employees must complete both trainings by July 30. 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 chair yoga, kickboxing and more, so register now. Other free virtual workshops are available on nyc.gov. As City of New York employees, WW members and their families have three discounted plan options: Digital, Digital 360, and Workshops + Digital. 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 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 Lorna Malcolm, Vice President, Institutional Advancement at 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 call the Office for Institutional Advancement at (212) 220-8020 or email Lorna Malcolm, Vice President, Institutional Advancement lmalcolm@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Calendar

It's a Silent Book Party!
May 28

Fall 2021 CUNY Start Information and Registration Session
June 3, June 8, June 10

BLA Transfer Meet Up Series: City College
June 2

Chat With an Admissions Representative
June 3 and repeating

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.