@BMCC

April 14, 2022

Town Hall Shares BMCC’s Strategies to Increase Successful Student Transfer Through AcMo 2.0 Initiative
On Monday, April 11, BMCC students, faculty and staff attended a Town Hall focused on BMCC’s role as part of Academic Momentum (AcMo) 2.0, a CUNY-wide initiative to improve undergraduate graduation rates with a focus on supporting transfer opportunities for students. Representatives from all seven AcMo subcommittees made presentations in the lecture hall, Room N-451 at BMCC’s 199 Chambers Street campus. The event was also live-streamed.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine Tours BMCC Labs and Library
On April 11, newly-elected Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine visited BMCC for the first time since being sworn into office in January. He met with BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe and toured the College’s health and science labs, Library and Learning Resource Center at the 199 Chambers Street campus. The Borough President’s Office has been instrumental in helping BMCC secure funding for capital projects including lighting upgrades and a planned renovation of the Library.

BMCC Departments Welcome Team Members in Management Roles
BMCC’s Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) and Office of Public Safety announce two team members in management roles. Geneen McCauley was recently hired to join the IA team as Associate Director for Annual Giving. Prior to BMCC, McCauley served as the National Annual Fund Manager with the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she was responsible for leading strategies to increase annual giving and engagement of donors. The Office of Public Safety announces the promotion of Adan Rivera as Deputy Director. Rivera has been serving the BMCC community since 2007. A graduate of the CUNY Public Safety Academy, Rivera began his career as a Campus Peace Officer at BMCC and moved up the ranks to positions of higher responsibility in the title of Sergeant and most recently as a Lieutenant.

Panther Alert: BMCC Names Head Coaches for Women’s Volleyball and Basketball Teams
The BMCC Athletics and Recreation Department has appointed head coaches for the women’s volleyball and basketball teams. Nia Bell,who comes to BMCC from Dream Charter School and served as assistant coach at Stephens College, will guide the women’s volleyball program in 2022. "Nia Bell’s passion and dedication to the game was evident throughout the hiring process and will undoubtedly help our student-athletes grow both on and off the court," said Matthew Ruiz, Director of Athletics and Recreation at BMCC. In addition to Bell’s appointment, Damel Ling has been named head coach of the BMCC women's basketball team. This will be the second time Ling has led a team in the NJCAA competition after his time as head coach of Union County College men's basketball program from 2015 to 2016. "I am very excited for Damel Ling to take over the Women's Basketball program and return it back to its prominence within the CUNYAC and the region as a whole," said Director Ruiz.

BMCC Student Exhibition Opening April 25 at SFAC
The 2022 BMCC student art show opens April 25 and runs through May 13 in Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) at 81 Barclay Street in lower Manhattan. BMCC Student Exhibition offers a chance to view outstanding works by developing student artists and designers and highlights the Art Foundations Major. BMCC offers a range of courses in studio art, digital design, and communications technology and the Art Foundations Major confers an AA in Art History and AS in Studio Art. Created to prepare BMCC students for careers in the arts, students in the program receive the fundamental training required to transfer to four-year colleges. Under the program, BMCC art faculty work with majors to build portfolios for successful transitions to top art and design schools. For more information, contact the SFAC at shirleyfitermanartcenter@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Theatre Department Presents William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night April 27-May 1
The BMCC Theatre Department invites students, faculty, staff and the general public to enjoy a free, live theatre performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Theatre Arts Professor Diane Dowling. This in-person event will take place in BMCC’s Theatre II with several performances between April 27 and May 1. The famous line, “If music be the food of love, play on,” sets the tone of the romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Interwoven plots involving gender, class and same-sex attraction make the play as relevant to current times as it was in the early 1600s when Shakespeare wrote it. For more information including safety requirements and uploading proof of COVID vaccines, click here. For questions, contact Demi Agapitos at dagapitos@bmcc.cuny.edu, Emma Ruopp at eruopp@bmcc.cuny.edu or Karl O’Brian Williams at kowilliams@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Announcements

Faculty and Staff Invited To Submit Nominations For BMCC Foundation Scholarship Funds: Deadline April 22
Faculty and staff are invited to nominate students for the BMCC Foundation, Inc. Scholarship. Eligible students can receive up to $3,200 each year. They must be matriculated, completing their first college degree at BMCC and maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA. If attending full-time, the student nominee must have completed at least 12 credits at BMCC. If attending part-time, they must have completed at least 20 credits at BMCC. To nominate a student, please send their name and CUNY ID number to Scholarship and Special Services Coordinator Sussie Gyamfi sgyamfi@bmcc.cuny.edu by April 22.

BMCC Faculty and Staff Encouraged to Share BMCC Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program
Faculty and staff are encouraged to share the BMCC Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program with students so they can access Google’s online learning platform and take free, online, self-guided courses to gain important digital skills and learn about career readiness topics. Students can choose 45- to 90-minute lessons across five Learning Pathways to help build skills. Students who complete a Pathway will unlock a downloadable certificate of completion to share on their LinkedIn profiles, resume or social media. All BMCC students with an active email can sign up here. For more information, contact Christopher Thunberg, Director, Center for Career Development at cthunberg@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Cafeteria/MBJ Food Services 2022 Spring Break Schedule
MBJ Food Services/Cafeteria will be closed from Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 24. MBJ will reopen on Monday April 25 with regular hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information call (212) 776 6210 or email mbjfoodservice@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Nominate Senators to the BMCC Academic Senate by April 14 at 5 p.m.
Nominations will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 for Academic Senate at-large representatives. Senators serve a three-year term, through May 2025.

Eight senators are being elected to represent full-time faculty: Nominate here.
Two senators are being elected to represent full-time CLTS: Nominate here.
Four senators are being elected to represented adjunct faculty and CLTS: Nominate here.

Eligible voters will receive an email with voting instructions and a link to the election site after the close of nominations on April 14. Representatives to the Academic Senate are automatically members of the BMCC College Council. If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact an Elections Committee co-chair: Christine Priano, cpriano@bmcc.cuny.edu or Cynthia Wiseman, cwiseman@bmcc.cuny.edu. Election Committee members also include Orlando Justo, Maureen Keena and Manita Pavel.

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.

CUNY-Wide Training and Resources for Using PeopleSoft 9.2
Computer Information Systems is planning to launch the CUNYfirst Campus Solutions upgrade to PeopleSoft 9.2 over spring break in April 2022. This second phase of the upgrade extends the new PeopleSoft 9.2 improvements across all of CUNYfirst, including the new tile-based CUNYfirst home page (also known as the “Interaction Hub”). The changes to CUNYfirst will be new for many in the BMCC college community. CISTraining has developed a sustainable and engaging training program to support the various and ever-changing needs of our learning community as we prepare for the launch of the 9.2 CUNYfirst Interaction Hub (IH), Campus Solutions, and Faculty/Advisor upgrade in mid-April. It has released a four-week training calendar of live webinars and is updating its CUNYfirst Sharepoint site on an ongoing basis with the latest recordings, video clips, user guides, and job aids. It is also updating and migrating over 500 CUNYfirst user guides into CUNYITHelp, which will improve your ability to find the information you need via keyword searches. In addition to the user guides, students will find helpful videos on www.cuny.edu/cunyfirst closer to the launch date.

To help ensure a truly supportive foundation for the launch, the first set of live webinars will be delivered to our campus service desks and technicians. This will be followed by general sessions on Campus Solutions for administrative staff, along with sessions for the faculty and advisor communities. Please complete the Registration Form for Administrative Staff and/or the Registration Form for Faculty/Advisors to select and sign up for your desired 9.2 webinar session using your CUNY Login (Username: Firstname.Lastname##@login.cuny.edu).

Lactation Rooms Support the Transition Back for Students, Faculty and Staff
Reflecting the culture of care at BMCC, support is available for students, faculty and staff transitioning back to school or work while nursing, chest feeding or pumping. Lactation Rooms provide a comfortable rocking chair, electrical outlets, hand sanitizer, paper towels and literature. There is no refrigeration available for expressed milk, so individuals need to provide their own travel bag. To reserve the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) lactation rooms at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-340; in the Murray Building, Room M-317 or in Fiterman Hall, Room F-910, call (212) 220-8166; email wrc@bmcc.cuny.edu or stop by the WRC. To reserve lactation space in the BMCC Health Services Offices at 199 Chambers Street, Room N-380, call (212) 220-8157. Visit the Lactations Rooms page on the BMCC website for more information.

Learn How to Manage Your Finances: Free MoneyWorks Seminars
BMCC, in collaboration with the Financial Planning Association of New York, provides MoneyWorks, a series of free virtual seminars for the BMCC community. Upcoming sessions include Starting Your Own Business, April 20 and Mind Over Money, May 4. BMCC is grateful to Santander Bank and Capital One Bank for supporting this series.

BMCC Panther Pantry Assists Students Facing Food Insecurity
BMCC students facing a food emergency are encouraged to visit the Panther Pantry and take home pre-packed bags of nutritious, non-perishable food. The pantry distributes bags of food, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hot meals are distributed Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230. For more information, contact the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8195.

Faculty and Staff Deadline to Upload Vaccine Verification Extended to May 27
CUNY and the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (PSC) have agreed to revise the date by which all full- and part-time faculty and non-teaching instructional staff —which includes among others NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO-title series—will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to upload proof of vaccination into CUNYfirst. The deadline has been changed from April 1 to May 27, 2022. The deadline applies to ECPs, as well. Please upload proof of vaccination on CUNYfirst.

Reimagining BMCC Website Offers COVID-19 Information
Visit the Reimagining BMCC website for updated information about wearing masks on campus, Random Testing Program for ALL BMCC community members, CUNY Access Pass Through Cleared4, and tips to help upload Vaccination and Booster Verification in CUNYfirst. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and higher education safety guidelines issued by the New York State Department of Health and CUNY, BMCC is committed to creating the best possible learning and working experience for students, faculty and staff.

Enrollment

Summer and Fall 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 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. When choosing classes on CUNYfirst, students should pay close attention to the class meeting mode (in-person, online or hybrid), as well as the class session (15, 8, or 7 weeks). Students attending in-person or hybrid classes must upload proof of vaccination. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

There’s Still Time for Faculty to Sign Up for the Academic Open House
The Admissions Office is hosting a virtual Academic Open House on Tuesdays and Thursdays in April for admitted, prospective and current students to explore the college’s Academic and Career Communities. This is a chance for students to meet BMCC’s dynamic faculty and learn about the College’s academic offerings. Faculty are invited to join the Admissions team and help deliver information about of these benefits. This is a great opportunity for faculty to highlight their academic programs and generate interest for enrollment. Faculty are encouraged to look at the schedule below and let the admissions team know if you’d like to co-present, create a dynamic breakout room, bring along some of your current students or alumni or share a presentation. Let the Admissions team know how you would like to participate by completing this form. Here is the April Academic Open House Schedule:

4/14 at 6 p.m. – Communications and Media
4/19 at 5 p.m. – Education
4/21 at 6 p.m. – Health Professions
4/26 at 5 p.m. – Government & Public Service
4/28 at 6 p.m. – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Admissions is Back in the Swing with In-Person Events
The Admissions & Recruitment team is reintegrating on-campus tours and information sessions. Campus tours will be offered Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. and information sessions will happen at 3 p.m. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Making Headlines

BMCC student Stephanie Marrow describes what she saw during April 12 Brooklyn subway attack
April 13, 2022—The Boston Globe

Governor Hochul says she met a BMCC student who was a victim of the April 12 Brooklyn subway shooting
April 13, 2022—The New York Times

Human Resources

CCA@YourServices Provides Support to Those Experiencing Anxiety Over Subway Shooting
CCA@YourServices provides support to any individuals impacted or who are experiencing increased anxiety levels due to Tuesday’s shooting incident at a subway station in Brooklyn. Read the tip sheet on common responses and coping strategies, call their toll-free helpline: 800-833-8707, or visit CCA online (Company Code: CUNY). Call the toll-free helpline: 1-800-833-8707 for assistance.

Mandatory Full- and Part-Time Staff and Faculty Trainings Available on Zoom
The Office of Human Resources will host virtual sessions for ESPARC (Employee Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course) and WPV (Workplace Violence Prevention) trainings via Zoom during the Spring 2022 semester. For dates, times and to reserve a spot, please visit the Human Resources Training and Development page.

Human Resources Posts Monthly Healthy Recipes
Look for them under Healthy Tips (additional recipes are available in the WorkWell/WW section). WorkWell NYC will also be presenting April Programs and April-June Move More class schedules.

Donors and Alumni

Save the Date: BMCC "Invest in a Future" Gala, October 27
The BMCC Foundation is pleased to present the college's most important fundraising event – BMCC's "Invest in a Future" Gala, scheduled October 27, 2022 (6 p.m., cocktail hour; 7 p.m., program). This year's theme is "Empowering Student Success," and the event will raise funds for student scholarships. To learn more about the gala, send an email to: advancementevents@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Give the Gift of Education--DONATE TODAY!
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 Karen Wilson-Stevenson, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement at kwilson-stevenson@bmcc.cuny.edu. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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