News

Join Virtual Town Hall July 15 and Share Thoughts on Fall 2021 Return to Campus
BMCC faculty, staff and students are invited to attend a Town Hall at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 via Zoom for updates on the college's Fall 2021 repopulation plan. The Town Hall will provide a safe space for community members to share thoughts and points of view related to the pandemic. Also, Dr. Scott Ratzan, Distinguished Lecturer, CUNY School of Public Health and Executive Director,  CONVINCE USA, will share important information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Please register here to attend.

Members of BMCC Community and the Public Receive Coronavirus Vaccination on Campus
On June 29, a total of 33 BMCC students and staff, as well as members of the public received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on BMCC's 199 Chambers Street campus and will return July 27 for their second dose. The BMCC Panther mascot was on hand for photo ops, and participants received a goody bag of BMCC swag. The free vaccinations were offered at BMCC in partnership with CVS through U.S. President Joe Biden’s College Vaccine Challenge, which strives to get as many Americans vaccinated as possible, in order to save lives and move the country forward. 

Sanjay Ramdath Named Acting VP of Enrollment Management  On June 28, President Anthony E. Munroe announced that Director of Enrollment Management Sanjay Ramdath (shown left) will assume the role of Acting VP of Enrollment Management and oversee the operations of Admissions, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid. Acting VP Ramdath will work closely with College administration to develop programs that improve student retention and success. With the Office of Public Affairs, Acting VP Ramdath will develop communication and marketing strategies to attract students to the College. To read the President’s announcement in its entirety, click here.

SGA Inauguration Welcomes Newly Elected Members
On June 30, BMCC celebrated the 4th Annual Student Government Assocation (SGA) Inauguration, an in-person event at 199 Chambers Street. The 2021-2022 SGA student-elected members are Nana Wiafe Addae Owusu (President), Rajvinder Kaur (Vice President), Ivanoba Castillo (Treasurer), Nathalia Rodriguez (Secretary), and Camerie Mazreku, Delfina Roybal, Emily Thomason, Gil Saligumba, Myat Theingi, Rayon Chan, Ruth Medrano, Shauna-kay Thomas, Silvana Chanchicocha and Yiyang Sun (Senators). Remarks were delivered by Student Affairs Director Harry Mars, Student Affairs Vice President Marva Craig and Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Erwin Wong. Outgoing SGA President Josiah Ramesar spoke to the new officers and ceremonially passed the gavel to new SGA President Addae Owusu. The SGA serves as a link between the BMCC student body and faculty, staff and administration of the college. They weigh in on student activity fee allocation and policies, coordinate student events and help create new clubs. Learn more about the BMCC SGA here.

Announcements

CUNY Staff Will Return to In-Person Work in August  CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez has announced that all CUNY staff, including those at BMCC, will return to their campus workplaces the week of August 2. Faculty will follow the BMCC academic calendar. This return to in-person work will be guided by CUNY's safety-first approach, which includes blended remote and in-person scheduling. Full details and instructions to request reasonable accommodations available here.

Call for Members: Pride Month 2021 Planning Committee BMCC is planning Pride events for October with a BMCC Pride Month Committee comprised of co-chairs, general members and event organizers. Use this form to share your interest in joining the committee. If you have questions, feel welcome to email safezone@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 that semester and school year, to share their experiences. A planning committee led by VP 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.

Enter 199 Chambers Street at West Street Entrance While Ramp Is Closed  To complete the Plaza Roofing Replacement Project, ramp access to the BMCC entrance at 199 Chambers Street is off-limits and access to the main campus is through the West Gate on West Street. 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. Public Safety staff and signage will help guide you. Thank you for your cooperation.

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 by advancing equity, inclusion and justice for students, staff, faculty and all BMCC communities. The REI steering committee, as the conscience of the college, strives to amplify all BMCC members' voices, providing action items for the College. For more information, visit the REI webpage or contact REI@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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 students, faculty, staff and alumni. We also help implement strategic communications initiatives and events that support BMCC programs, faculty research, student achievement and community engagement. To request assistance from the Office of Public Affairs, please fill out this form.

Campus Planning and Facilities

Resilience, Health and Wellness: A Comprehensive Website Supports the BMCC Community 
Faculty, students and staff focused on fitness, seeking support in a time of crisis and more can find resources in the Resilience, Health and Wellness website. 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 BMCC 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 CUNY login credentials to receive email notifications. To protect your and everyone else's health, be as accurate as possible while self-reporting on the Wellness app.

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 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.

Making Headlines

BMCC alumna Jneyde “Nehemiah” Williams creates winning design for a new library card celebrating Black American history and culture for the Brooklyn Public Library
June 30, 2021 — Baruch College News via CUNY Wednesday Brief

BMCC alumna Dr. Sandra Lindsay, first to receive Covid vaccination, says vaccination should be "natural choice" for nurses
June 30, 2021 — Daily Nurse

Pierson High School graduate Iaiela Saldivar-Tellez wins $2,000 scholarship from Sag Harbor Lions Club to attend BMCC in Fall 2021
June 29, 2021 — The Southampton Press

BMCC alumni Darlene Suriel and Luis Hernandez earn associate degrees despite financial struggle and other challenges
June 28, 2021 — The City; June 29, 2021 — New York City Patch

Human Resources

Monday, July 5 Is a Holiday and Summer Fridays Continue Through August 13  The College will be closed these Fridays:  July 2, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6 and August 13. During those weeks, employees will follow an extended schedule of 8.75-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Independence Day will be observed Monday, July 5, and on Tuesday through Friday that week, employees will follow a regular schedule of seven-hour days.

Make Your Appointment at a CUNY Employee-Only Vaccination Site 
CUNY employees are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine at an employee-only site. Book an appointment with your employee ID number at Bronx/Queens/Staten Island, Brooklyn/Manhattan or one of these NYC sites: 

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

Payroll Distribution: July 8
Employees who do not receive direct deposit can pick up their paper check on Thursday, July 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Theater I, Lower Lobby. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry.

Learn Tasty Al Fresco Recipes in Virtual Cooking Demonstrations Starting July 13 In the Kitchen with WorkWell NYC: Al Fresco Edition presents a series of five virtual cooking demonstrations July 13 through August 10, featuring healthy, simple recipes using fresh ingredients. Beat the summer heat with a creative take on burgers, wraps and refreshing water infusions. Register here.

Enjoy Free Virtual Meditation, Yoga and More, July Through September  WorkWell Digital presents free virtual classes in yoga, Zumba, meditation, boxing and more, from July 6 through September. For more information and to register for a class, visit here.

Obituary: Social Science Professor Gail Mansouri With sadness, the BMCC Office of Human Resources shares the passing of Social Science Professor Gail Mansouri. Professor Mansouri joined BMCC as an adjunct in 1995, and in 2007 became a full-time faculty member. According to her family, Professor Mansouri passed away peacefully on June 21 and her private funeral service was graveside. Professor Mansouri cherished the time she spent at BMCC and all the wonderful friends she made. Condolences may be sent to her sister, Phyllis Lakner at elakner@nyc.rr.com.

Alumni and Donors

Join Virtual Mixology Class July 21 and Learn to Make a Special Summer Cocktail BMCC's Office of Institutional Advancement invites alumni and the BMCC community to join a Virtual Mixology Class on July 21 at 6 p.m., presented by Cody Lyon, part-time NYC bartender and mixologist. The event will feature how to make a Spicy Blueberry Margarita and Refreshing and Simple Paloma. Register here.

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 maximum amount joint filers may deduct doubles to $600. (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 at lmalcolm@bmcc.cuny.edu. Thank you for your support.

Calendar

Workshop: How to Apply to BMCC
July 6

Admissions Information Session: TransRe Apprenticeship Program
July 6

This is Not a Text: Email Etiquette
July 7

Chat With an Admissions Representative
July 8

Transfer Talk Tuesday
July 13

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.