News

Message from the President: COVID Testing, Vaccinations and Boosters The 2021 fall semester is coming to an end at BMCC, and we are encountering an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections due in part to the Delta and Omicron variants. Since March 2020, BMCC, The City University of New York (CUNY), NYC and NY State have faced challenges presented by the pandemic and continue to closely monitor this ever-changing and fluid health crisis. On December 21, 2021 CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodriguez, announced the expansion of testing at CUNY sites and other measures being taken by CUNY to further safeguard the health and safety of all students, faculty and staff.

NYC.gov Vaccination Van Coming Back to BMCC Campus
BMCC plans to bring back the NYC Mobile Vaccination Van to campus on the following proposed schedule:

• Tuesday 12/28; Wednesday 12/29; and Thursday 12/30
• Tuesday, 1/4; Wednesday, 1/5; and Thursday 1/6
• Tuesday, 1/11; Wednesday, 1/12; and Thursday 1/13

The van, which will be located in front of Fiterman Hall at 245 Greenwich Street, will be in service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will offer the Pfizer and J&J vaccines, including boosters, as well as COVID testing, with no appointment necessary. Individuals getting their first dose or the booster qualify to receive a $100 incentive. For information about the vaccination van, contact the Office of Public Affairs at publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students Taking In-Person or Hybrid Classes Mandated to be Vaccinated  CUNY mandates that all students taking in-person and hybrid classes get vaccinated and upload proof of vaccination to CUNYfirst. For details, click here or read these Frequently Asked Questions. For instructions to upload your information, see the Student Guide to Vaccination Verification. Faculty, staff and students who have been vaccinated, uploaded their vaccination verification in CUNYfirst and were approved, have turnstile access when entering the BMCC campus.  Random Testing for Covid-19 Required for Vaccinated Individuals at CUNY As part of a greater effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, all vaccinated CUNY employees and students are subject to random and required COVID testing. Those chosen for testing will receive an email from no-reply@cleared4work.com with instructions to complete testing within seven days at a CUNY test site. At BMCC, the closest testing site is the café at Fiterman Hall, 81 Barclay Street. There is no appointment necessary. Test results should be available within 48 hours. For more information about testing sites, visit the CUNY testing site location page and for information about the tests being used, view the Safe Circle Testing FAQ.   Regular Testing Mandated for Unvaccinated Faculty and Staff  CUNY provides on-site COVID-19 testing at 20 University locations — including BMCC. 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 an email with a personalized link to make an appointment at a CUNY testing location. Monitoring and Reporting Positive Cases Visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more information on returning to campus.

Pharmacy Offers Vaccines, Boosters and Testing Near CUNY in The Heights CUNY in The Heights is partnering with Royal Pharmacy, located at 5030 Broadway in Inwood, to offer the Moderna vaccines and Moderna boosters; Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, contact Royal Pharmacy at (212) 567-9800.

Announcements

BMCC Community Encouraged to Take Advantage of Resilience, Health and Wellness Services
Students, faculty and staff are invited to visit the Resilience, Health and Wellness website to explore resources and strategies for physical fitness, mental health, food insecurity, nutrition, financial support and other vital areas. With a focus on health and wellness, BMCC builds a diverse and connected community that supports its members every day.

Library Device Return Drive: Dec. 28, 29, 30
Students who borrowed a device — including Chromebooks, iPads, Dell laptops, iMacs and hotspots — from the BMCC Library between March 2020 and December 2021 must return it on 28, 29 and 30. All current BMCC students are eligible to borrow a device. Students may check out a device in the Library at 199 Chambers Street, S-410 during these hours. Supply is limited. Devices will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned at the end of the semester. For more information, please email help@bmcc-cuny.libanswers.com or call (212) 220-1451. If a student cannot enter the building, a Library staff member — with at least 24 hours notice — will meet them in front of the building.  

BMCC Publishes 2020-2021 Annual Report  The 2020-2021 Annual Report, Excellence, Equity and Opportunity, is now available on the BMCC website. The report includes articles highlighting college events, fundraising efforts, student achievements and faculty research from the 2020-2021 academic year. A list of donors is also included.

BMCC Grant Seekers Invited to Attend Hanover Webinar January 14
Faculty and staff who are interested finding funding opportunities for a grant project are invited to attend the Hanover Webinar: Prospecting: Identifying the Funding Landscape for Your Grant Project on January 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. The session will focus on the art of identifying funding opportunities that align with faculty and staff interest areas and project concepts. Advanced registration is required. Click here for more information.

Holiday Reminder: Acceptance of Gifts Guidelines
CUNY employees are prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts from vendors and other interested sources, regardless of whether the gift was intended to influence or reward the recipient. For guidelines, visit CUNY’s Conflict of Interest policy page.

BMCC Panther Pantry Assists Students Facing Food Insecurity BMCC students facing a food emergency are welcome to visit the Panther Pantry and take home a three-day supply of nutritious, non-perishable food. The pantry will distribute bags of food, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Hot meals will be distributed on Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m., in the Main Building (Richard Harris Terrace) located at 199 Chambers Street. For more information, contact the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8195.

BMCC Cafeteria/MBJ Food Services: 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 variety of menu items at a reasonable price on days classes are session from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on days when no classes are scheduled, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don't forget to mask up, when purchasing food. Please note, the cafeteria will be closed January 7, 14 and 21.

Enrollment

Winter/Spring 2022 Advisement & Registration is Open
Faculty and staff, please encourage students to schedule a Zoom meeting with their advisor to discuss their academic progress and spring registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register for classes and upload proof of vaccination on CUNYfirst. Vaccine deadlines dates are:

• Moderna: first of two doses by December 17
• Pfizer: first of two doses by December 24
• Johnson & Johnson: single and only dose by January 14

For Enrollment assistance, students can meet with a Panther Station Specialist on Zoom, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212 )220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

Making Headlines

Meagan Gordon, adjunct assistant professor in the BMCC Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice department, joins board of Phoenix House NY/LI , as pandemic-impacted substance abuse rises
December 22, 2021 — ReadMedia

Trinity Church Wall Street Announces 2021 Grants, including $1.2 million to BMCC
December 16, 2021 — Yahoo Finance

Human Resources

Payroll Distribution: Thursday, December 23 
Employees who do not have direct deposit can pick up their paper paycheck on Thursday, December 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Lower Lobby. Please bring a pen to sign the registry.

Paying it Forward: Free Online Seminars Start December 21 
At noon on Tuesday, December 21, BMCC faculty and staff will be able to access a series of free, on-demand, online seminars: "Practicing Generosity Builds Resilience," "Pay it Forward With Kindness and Generosity," "Be a Great Mentor" and "Invest in Yourself." To learn more, visit CCA@Your Service and enter the Company Code: CUNY.

Donors and Alumni

Calendar

Workshop: How to Apply to BMCC plus Virtual Tour Option
December 28

Spotlight on Academic & Career Communities: Government & Public Service and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
December 28

Spotlight on Academic & Career Communities: Accounting, Business, Economics and Behavioral & Social Sciences
January 4

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.