News

Message from the President: Reminder of In-Person Work Plan We are now in our fourth week of Spring Semester 2022, and I am delighted to see more students, faculty and staff back on campus. Our academic and support services continue to be offered in-person and remotely in order to our serve students in multiple approaches. As our buildings, hallways and classrooms continue to get recharged with in-person engagement and interaction, I wish to remind all of the BMCC community about the In-Person Work Plan under the guidance of the City University of New York (CUNY). Starting on Monday, February 28, faculty and staff members are required to work 70% of the time, in-person, on the BMCC campus. The new flexible work agreements will be effective from February 28 through June 17 and subject to change to meet institutional needs. All BMCC faculty and staff are encouraged to start making any needed preparations to be ready for this transition. Read more.

BMCC-Baruch College Business Academy Propels Students on Academic and Career Paths 
BMCC Business Administration majors can gain access to academic, career and transfer services, accelerating their goals through the BMCC-Baruch College Business Academy. The Academy provides dual enrollment in both BMCC and Baruch, and supports a seamless transfer for students who first earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Business Administration at BMCC, then a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business.

Speech Professor Golda Solomon Named First Poet Laureate of Yonkers Golda Solomon, Adjunct Associate Professor in the Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts Department — and who teaches at BMCC's CUNY in The Heights (CITH) campus — was named the first poet laureate of the City of Yonkers by Mayor Mike Spano at a ceremony on February 16 in front of Yonkers City Hall.

BMCC Brand Guidelines Updated for College Community
The BMCC Office of Public Affairs has launched an extensive college brand guideline webpage.  This guidance is not intended to limit creativity, but to make certain the college community and others use the BMCC branding elements properly and consistently. For detailed guidance on graphics including logo usage and other symbols, editorial and digital style as well as social media guidelines, please consult the BMCC Brand Guidelines Page.

CUNY Faculty and Staff Must Upload Proof of Vaccination by April 1
All CUNY faculty and non-teaching instructional staff (which includes, among others, NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO series) and ECPs are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to upload proof of vaccination into CUNYFirst no later than April 1, according to a February 14 letter from Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. CUNY defines full vaccination as two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or a single shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CUNY Board of Trustees has authorized the Chancellor to engage with the PSC on the implementation of the vaccine mandate for faculty and non-teaching instructional staff.

How to Upload Your COVID-19 Booster Verification BMCC students, faculty and staff can now upload their verification for the COVID-19 booster on CUNYfirst: Sign on to your CUNYfirst account Select “Vaccination Verification” from the CUNYfirst Menu Click on the “Add New Record” button For more information on how to upload verification for the COVID-19 booster, click here for students, or here for staff and faculty. All CUNY faculty, staff and students are also eligible for free COVID-19 testing at 20 CUNY university locations, including BMCC. Students Taking In-Person or Hybrid Classes Must Upload Proof of Vaccination or Register for Online Courses Only CUNY mandates all students taking in-person and hybrid classes must upload proof of vaccination to CUNYfirst. For details, click here, read these Frequently Asked Questions or visit the Student Guide to Vaccination Verification. Please note: Students are still able to upload vaccination records after they are dropped.  However, they may not get their original schedule back.  Students who are not vaccinated should register for online classes only.  Students who are fully vaccinated by March 28 are encouraged to consider BMCC’s Spring 8W2 Express Session starting March 28. Random COVID Testing Required for Vaccinated CUNY Employees and Students To help contain the spread of coronavirus, vaccinated CUNY employees and students chosen for random, mandatory COVID testing will receive an email from noreply@cleared4work.com with instructions to complete testing within seven days at a CUNY test site — no appointment necessary; test results in 48 hours. The BMCC test site is in the café at Fiterman Hall, 81 Barclay Street. For more information, visit the CUNY testing site location page or Safe Circle Testing FAQ. Regular COVID Testing Mandated for Unvaccinated Faculty and Staff   CUNY provides on-site COVID-19 testing at 20 University locations. 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 See the full details of BMCC's Spring 2022 Repopulation and Operations Plan. Visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more information on returning to campus.

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.

Deadline to Apply for Vassar College Exploring Transfer Program is March 7
Each summer, a handful of BMCC students are selected to be part of the Exploring Transfer program at Vassar College. This residential summer program introduces high-achieving students to the world awaiting them at four-year institutions. The 2022 five-week immersion program will take place June 17 through July 22. Accepted students' tuition, room, meals and books are fully covered. Visit the Exploring Transfer page here. Interested students and faculty can contact the BMCC committee here. The deadline to apply is March 7.  

Panel Discussion, 500 Years in Search of Freedom: Anti-Blackness in the Americas, February 22 
As part of BMCC’s Afrikan Heritage Month, the Department of Ethnic and Race Studies invites students, faculty and staff to attend 500 Years in Search of Freedom: Anti-Blackness in the Americas on February 22 at 4 p.m. on Zoom. The panel will discuss topics that include the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade, slavery and sugar in Puerto Rico, and racism today.  The panel will feature Ethnic and Race Studies Professors Lissette Acosta Corniel, Judith Anderson and Rigoberto Andino as well as Professor RaShelle Peck as moderator. Other BMCC professors are invited to bring their students to the event and audience participation will be encouraged. To register for this virtual event, click here.

BMCC Co- Hosting CUNY Theatre Festival: Deadline for Submissions is February 21
BMCC student playwrights, directors and actors are invited to submit their proposals to present at the CUNY Theatre Festival by February 21.  The virtual festival, which will be held on March 26, is also seeking students who are interested in participating in workshops or who can offer other assistance.  Visit the festival webpage for more information.

Support Students Through the Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT)
Faculty and staff can support students’ extra-curricular activities through the BMCC Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT), an official record of student participation in college activities outside the classroom while enrolled at BMCC. To access students' unofficial CCTs, review CCT-eligible activities or submit activities to be considered for the CCT, faculty and staff can 1) Go to www.bmcc.cuny.edu, 2) Click on: LOG IN in the top right corner, 3) Click on: BMCC Portal, 4) Sign in with the same user name and password used to access their BMCC computer and 5) Click on the CCT icon. For more information, visit the BMCC CCT website or email CCT@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

The Inquirer, a BMCC Journal, Seeks Papers on Teaching and Learning The Inquirer, a journal focused on teaching, learning and scholarship at BMCC, welcomes proposals for 2,500-word manuscripts by February 28. Once a proposal is accepted, complete manuscripts are due April 16. More details can be found on the Call for Papers. Please send questions to the editors, Professors Holly Messitt, hmessitt@bmcc.cuny.edu and Elizabeth Wissinger, ewissinger@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Summer 2022 NSF-REI Research Program Scholarship Applications Open Until March 1 
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at BMCC offers paid summer internships for qualified undergraduate students to conduct biology research projects with BMCC scientists. Student research will focus on the bioactivity of natural products at different biological levels of organization. For more information, click here.

Submit Your Ballot for the 2021-2022 Employee Appreciation Awards by May 6 BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) who demonstrate outstanding achievement and creative contributions through their role at BMCC — beyond what is normally expected of employees. SUBMIT ONE BALLOT with a detailed nomination in any or all categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement.

BMCC Cafeteria Announces Spring 2022 Hours  BMCC students, faculty and staff can enjoy a hot meal, healthy salad or delicious sandwich in the BMCC Cafeteria on the second floor at 199 Chambers Street, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. MBJ Food Services provides a wide variety of food items and beverages at a reasonable price.

BMCC Panther Pantry Assists Students Facing Food Insecurity  BMCC students facing a food emergency are welcome to visit the Panther Pantry and take home pre-packed bags of nutritious, non-perishable food. The pantry will distribute bags of food, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hot meals will be distributed on Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m., in S-230 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.

Enrollment

Register Now for Spring Express Sessions 
BMCC students can register for the Spring 2022 Express Session (Eight-Week, 3/28 – 5/24). The 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 session and some financial aid limitations. Here are the registration instructions. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with Panther Station Specialists on Zoom, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

Remind Students Registering for Spring: Mandatory Zoom with Advisor, Proof of Vaccination  
Faculty and staff, please encourage students to go online and schedule their mandatory Zoom meeting with an advisor to discuss spring registration. Remind students they can register for classes and upload proof of vaccination on CUNYfirst. Drop-in advisement is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. via Zoom link; Meeting ID: 863 5332 0349, Passcode: ADV. 

Enrollment Assistance Available on Zoom and by Phone 
For Enrollment assistance, students can meet with a Panther Station Specialist on Zoom, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Making Headlines

City of Yonkers appoints BMCC Professor Golda Soloman first poet laureate
February 16, 2022—City of Yonkers

English Professor Jason Schneiderman to present work at Hofstra University’s Great Writers, Great Readings Series
February 15, 2022—Long Island.com

BMCC alumna and longtime Motown Executive Suzanne de Passe talks about her career in the music industry
February 14, 2022 — Stamford Advocate

Human Resources

BMCC Closed Monday February 21 for President’s Day
The College will be closed Monday, February 21 for Presidents' Day. View the CUNY Employee Holiday and Annual Leave Periods memo for more information.

New Adjuncts: Enroll in Health Insurance Through February 25 
The Office of Human Resources is accepting Spring 2022 Adjunct Health Insurance Enrollment applications through February 25. Review requirements, the Health Benefits Program Application/Change Form, table of Adjunct Health Insurance Monthly Rates and more. Submit forms and direct questions to Diana Lopez, DLopez@bmcc.cuny.edu. NOTE: Include only the last four of your SSN. Once eligibility is confirmed, the application will be forwarded to the University Benefits Adjunct office at UniversityBenefitsAdjuncts@CUNY.edu.

Mandatory Trainings Available on Zoom  
The Office of Human Resources will host virtual sessions for ESPARC and WPV trainings via Zoom during the Spring 2022 semester. For dates, times and instructions on how to reserve a spot, please visit the Human Resources Training and Development page.

Carpenter and Plumber's Helper Exams Open Through February 23 
The Carpenter (CUNY) Open Competitive, Exam No #2112 (Exam fee: $96.00) and Plumber’s Helper (CUNY) Open Competitive, Exam No #2089 (Exam fee: $82.00) are open now through February 23.

BMCC Faculty and Staff Benefit from Free CCA Resources  
CCA@YourService provides services including free short-term counseling sessions and unlimited counseling by phone. In February, in honor of Black History Month 2022, CCA presents “Black Health and Wellness,” which aims to close the disparity in health care for Black Americans. Starting February 17, CCA presents Navigating Through Grief and Loss. 

Donors and Alumni

Calendar

Free Tax Preparation Available to BMCC Community
through April 13

Girls Talk: Galentine’s Day Celebration
February 17

Spotlight on Academic & Career Communities: Government & Public Service and Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
February 17

Connect with BMCC

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Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.