September 16, 2021 FacebookTwitterInstagram
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News

EAA BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards, Live Broadcast September 23
Tune in to a live webcast of the 2020-2021 Employee Appreciation Awards on September 23 at 4 p.m. The BMCC Employee Appreciation Program recognizes outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions beyond what is normally expected of employees. Learn more here. To view the September 23 Livestream, click here.
Plaza

Regular Testing Mandated for Unvaccinated Faculty and Staff 
CUNY provides on-site COVID-19 testing at 20 University locations — including BMCC. All faculty, staff and students who (1) have not submitted proof of COVID-19 vaccination in the CUNYfirst system, (2) are unvaccinated or (3) have undisclosed vaccination status, must register on CUNYfirst and make a selection under the vaccination status box, then click the “submit” button at the bottom of the page. This generates a personalized link that lets you register and make an appointment at one of the 20 CUNY testing locations.

CUNY Implementing CUNY Access Pass Through Cleared4 System
For all Vaccinated CUNY Students, Faculty and Staff, starting next week there will be an additional electronic option, the CUNY Access Pass to validate your vaccination status and facilitate your campus access. This new tool will be managed thru the Cleared4 Platform and is being implemented to transition away from the Everbridge VaxPass, which will no longer be available after September 27. The new CUNY Access Pass will have an expiration date of one year from the date you became fully vaccinated. Please look for the Cleared4 email from “no-reply@cleared4work.com” that will be send to your college email address and follow the link included in the email to complete your registration necessary to obtain your CUNY Access Pass.  Please check your spam folder if you do not receive an email from Cleared4. For additional information please visit  CUNY Access - Cleared4 Guide for Vaccinated CUNY Students, Faculty and Staff  or Cleared4 FAQs available in CUNY IT Help.

CUNY Students: Deadline to Get Vaccinated
REMINDER: Starting on October 7, all students taking remote-only classes who wish to visit a campus at any point this fall for any reason must be fully vaccinated and have their vaccination documents approved in CUNYfirst — unless they have been granted a religious exception or a medical exemption. More information about CUNY’s vaccination mandate can be found in these Frequently Asked Questions and for help uploading your information, see the Student Guide to Vaccination Verification.

Students will need to upload proof of vaccination in CUNYfirst no later than September 27. To meet this deadline, any student who is still unvaccinated will need to get the single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by September 23. More information about the vaccination mandate for students is in the Student Guide to Vaccination Verification.

Upload Vaccination Documents by 9/27 Or Risk Withdrawal 
Students must upload their vaccination documents to CUNYfirst by September 27 or face potential academic withdrawal from class! This could impact their financial aid and make them ineligible for refunds on their courses. Full details: cuny.edu/coronavirus. For instructions on how to upload vaccination verification documents, click here.

Watch How-to Video: Submitting Vaccination Documentation
Everbridge
Mask

Mask Mandate Keeps Everyone Safe
CUNY has enacted a mask mandate based on vaccination statistics and coronavirus transmission rates. For now, all students, faculty and staff — regardless of vaccination status — must 1) Wear a face mask inside all CUNY campuses and office buildings and 2) Wear a mask outdoors on campus when unable to maintain physical distance from others (for example, while attending a CUNY gathering or sporting event).

Visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more information on returning to campus.

BMCC Is Sixth in 2022 Best Colleges in New York Ranking
BMCC ranked six out of 67 New York state community colleges included in the 2022 Best Colleges in New York ranking produced by Niche.com, a platform that connects colleges with students by providing profiles of every college in America. BMCC’s rating is based on rigorous analysis of academic, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. Factors considered include average student loan amount, alumni earnings, number of awards won by faculty, student-faculty ratio, safety, diversity and more. This year for the first time, the importance of SAT and ACT scores were de-emphasized in the rankings. 

EMT BMCC Paramedic/EMT Program Graduation September 22
The BMCC Paramedic Program in the Allied Health Sciences Department is hosting a paramedic graduation event September 22 at 4:15 pm in Theatre One at 199 Chambers Street.  The event will be livestreamed here. These Paramedic and EMT students have persevered through an unprecedented pandemic, subsequent shut down of the city, adjustment to online classes, and additional work as first responders while completing their certifications and degrees.  Faculty and staff who wish to attend the event in person should RSVP here by September 17.

Announcements

Pride Call for Proposals: Pride Month
October is Pride Month at BMCC and there is still time to submit a proposal for a program, event or workshop that celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) community; educates the BMCC community on inclusion; clarifies what it means to be an ally; explores intersectionality, and fosters a supportive environment for BMCC students, faculty, staff and alumni who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more about LGBTQIA+ community at BMCC and submit your proposal here. If you have questions, please email safezone@bmcc.cuny.edu.
HHM Hispanic Heritage Month Proposals Accepted Through October 1
BMCC will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in November. The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee is accepting proposals for events. Proposals can range from academic events (such as a conference, symposium or guest lecture), to cultural events (such as a dance performance, concert, poetry recital or art exhibit), to social events (such as fitness classes or recipe sharing). Most HHM activities will be virtual; however, proposals for in-person, on-campus activities scheduled during an on-campus class meeting will be considered. To submit a proposal, please fill out an Activity Proposal Form and send it to Rosario Torres at rtorres@bmcc.cuny.edu or David Caicedo at dcaicedo@bmcc.cuny.edu no later than October 1. Applicants will receive notifications by October 5.
Food Art Talk in Battery Park City Highlights Public Art: September 24
The BMCC community is invited to attend a talk, "Kamau Ware & Risë Wilson: On Art, History, and Public Space," presented by BMCC's Shirley Fiterman Art Center in partnership with Battery Park City Authority. This outdoor, in-person event will be held at Belvedere Plaza in Battery Park City, September 24 at 6 p.m. Participants will be able to view an installation piece by Mildred Howard on display in Battery Park, (Mildred Howard, The House That Will Not Pass For Any Color Than Its Own, 2011 (installation view, 2021, Battery Park City). © Mildred Howard. Photo Louis Chan)
Food BMCC Cafeteria/MBJ Food Services: New Hours of Operation 
BMCC students, faculty and staff can enjoy a hot meal, snack or beverage in the BMCC Cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street. MBJ Food Services provides a wide variety of menu items at a reasonable price. The cafeteria will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on days when no classes are scheduled, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables are available throughout the lobby, so you can rest and refuel with fellow students and colleagues. Please mask up, when you're viewing and purchasing food. 
ECC Early Childhood Center Extends Services to Faculty and Staff 
BMCC’s Early Childhood Center has extended its services to BMCC faculty and staff for the duration of the pandemic. Currently, 3K and Pre-K For All slots are available. In addition to Pre-K programs, the Center has a Family Child Care Network, an off-site program supervised by BMCC’s Early Childhood Center staff and consisting of licensed child-care homes serving children under 2 years old. Registration is ongoing throughout the semester. For an application, click here, then submit to Executive Director Cecilia Scott Croff at cscottcroff@bmcc.cuny.edu or to Office Manager Yvonne Gutierrez at ygutierrez@bmcc.cuny.edu.
9/11 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund: Document Your Presence  
Did you work at BMCC during 9/11? If you can prove your presence in the 9/11 exposure area September 11, 2001 through May 31, 2002 for the requisite period of time (generally 80 hours) and you have developed one of the 68 cancers and non-cancers approved by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and presumed to be caused by exposure to 9/11 toxic dust, you are eligible for the available benefits. Even if you are not sick, you should take steps now to preserve your right to file a future claim. You do not have to prove that your illness was caused by 9/11. Read more about documenting your proof of presence here. Read registration and claim filings details here. Firms specializing in World Trade Center Victim’s Compensation Fund claims 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.
Device BMCC Panther Pantry Open
BMCC students facing a food emergency are welcome to visit the Pantry on Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and take home a three-day supply of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food. Contact the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu or by calling (212) 220-8195 for more information.
Veterans

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.”

Library Library Offers Services to Campus Community
The BMCC Library is open for studying, access to textbooks, printing, computers and more. Students, faculty, and staff can chat with a librarian via the website, call for assistance at (212) 220-1451 or email help@bmcc-cuny.libanswers.com. We look forward to seeing you in the library this semester.  
Device Student Device Loans: No Appointment Necessary
A limited number of iPads,and Chromebooks are available for loan to students with a current ID who do not have a device or reliable internet at home. Students do not need an appointment or referral from Student Affairs to pick up their device on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (but not on holidays) at 199 Chambers Street. After entering the building, make a left — do not go through the turnstiles. For questions about borrowing a device or hot spot: help@bmcc-cuny.libanswers.com. For tech support after receiving a device: servicedesk@bmcc.cuny.edu.
Center

Center for Continuing Education Helps Launch Student Careers
The BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development enables adult students to launch their careers and higher education goals in Information Technology, Allied Health and more. Whether seeking certificate training in cybersecurity, respiratory therapy, data analytics, film editing and other high-demand areas; whether looking to build English-language skills or build a path to an associate degree, students at the Center gain a competitive edge in today's changing workforce. Learn more in the Summer/Fall 2021 Catalogue, available here.

RingCentral Answer Your BMCC Office Phone From Any Device With RingCentral
Faculty and staff can answer their BMCC office phone from any device, anywhere with RingCentral. Download the RingCentral app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to a PC, Mac or other personal device. BMCC has also pre-installed the RingCentral app in desktop computers throughout the college. Visit here for more information. For training resources, visit the BMCC RingCentral resources page.

CUNY Partnership With Kognito Enables Staff and Faculty to Support Students Around Mental Health Issues
CUNY has partnered with the online program Kognito to provide training modules for faculty and staff on how to recognize signs of distress in students and connect them with support. Through simulated conversations between a student and faculty or staff, the modules address mental health, suicide prevention, bullying and more. To launch the Kognito program “At-Risk for Faculty and Staff,” available through December, click here and use the enrollment key bmccaruf. For more information, please contact Professor Shirley Leyro at sleyro@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Enrollment

Fall Express

There’s Still Time for Students to Register for Fall 2021 
BMCC is offering an 8-week express session from October 27 through December 21. 

  • All students are welcome, but the Fall 2021 Express Session is ideal for part-time students, or new and continuing students who missed registration for the regular 15-week session.
  • Please note, there will be limited course offerings in the Express Sessions and some financial aid limitations. 
  • Students are encouraged to speak with an advisor to see if the Express Sessions are the best option for them. 
  • Here are registration instructions. 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, contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.
Brochures Resources for Supporting Students: Two Updated Brochures
 The Office of Public Affairs has released the new Academic Programs brochure, which provides degree program information. The newly released Support Programs brochure highlights offices and services such as financial aid and tutoring programs. BMCC students, faculty and staff can use these publications to: learn more about the college's academic programs; provide assistance to students; and inform the college community about support services available on campus. 

Enrollment Questions? Visit the Panther Station 
Whether you’re a newly-admitted student or a current student, the Panther Station is your one stop for information and assistance with Admissions, Financial Aid or Registration questions. You can meet with a specialist virtually or speak to a specialist by phone at (212) 220-8000. Ext. 7320 or email Station@bmcc.cuny.edu.  Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Accounting Professor Yvonne Phang and other 9/11survivors profiled
September 9, 2021—New York Times

BMCC remembers 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001
September 10, 2001—NY1

Director of the BMCC Media Center Vinton A. Melbourne recalls 9/11/2001 in interview
September 11, 2021—FAKTY-OGLADAJ (Poland)

Actor Gabourey Sidibe recalls being a BMCC student on September 11, 2001
September 12, 2021—Wonderwall

Human Resources

Digital Diabetes Prevention Program Launches in September
Join WorkWell NYC’s Digital Diabetes Prevention Program to receive a full year of support to eat healthier, move more, manage stress and stay motivated. Participants will be led by a certified diabetes educator, who will provide tailored health coaching throughout the year. Express interest here.

Biweekly COVID-19 Briefing for New York City Workers 
BMCC staff are invited to a biweekly COVID-19 briefing presented by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Immunization Justice Workgroup on Thursdays at 12 p.m. Health Department clinician Dr. Julian Watkins will provide updates on current events, COVID-19 cases in NYC, COVID-19 vaccines, and be available for Q&A. Register here.

Permanent Employees Asked to File Permanent Address Meeting Commutable Distance Standard by December 1
During the period of remote work necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, some CUNY employees changed their permanent address of record to an area outside the University's commutable distance standard, which encompasses parts of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Because CUNY is not set up as an employer in states beyond the commutable distance standard — and cannot withhold other states’ incomes taxes, participate in those states’ unemployment programs or apply their localized state and municipality laws — employees are asked to submit a change of address form to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu, reinstating their pre-pandemic address of record that met the commutable distance standard, by December 1.

Free CCA@YourService Return-to-Work Wellness Seminars Available 
Click to watch these helpful online webinars: Return to Work Wellness SeminarKelly McGonigal: How to Make Stress Your FriendManaging Stress As We Return To Work PowerPoint.

Alumni and Donors

Invest

BMCC Foundation Invites Community to Invest in the Future of Students 
BMCC and the BMCC Foundation Board of Directors invite everyone to support the “Invest in a Future” Virtual Fundraiser scheduled at 6 p.m., September 30. Donations collected from the fundraiser will support student scholarships. The fundraiser will be livestreamed and will include student success stories, as well as music and theater performances from BMCC students. This year's honorees are Deirdre Featherstone, owner of Featherstone Fine Jewelry and award-winning gemologist; and John Dunleavy, Global President of Eightbar/WPP Global Client Leader of IBM. MAKE A DONATION HERE. Thank you to our Corporate Supporters (so far): Bank of America, BNY Mellon, CBOE, CBRE, CITI, and DTCC. For more information email advancementevents@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Calendar

Nursing at BMCC and Beyond
September 17

Mind the Tilde: Overcoming Institutional Linguistic Barriers to Latinx Student Success
September 17

Finding Balance: Balancing School, Life and Work in the New Normal
September 20

LGBTQ and Women’s Health Series: WRC and Gender 101 – Who We are and What We Do
September 22

Connect with BMCC

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The City University of New York