@BMCC

October 27, 2022

BMCC Hosts William Whitaker Justice For All Fair Chance Symposium
BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe welcomed participants from across New York City to the William Whitaker Justice for All Fair Chance Symposium held at 199 Chambers Street on October 27. The symposium offered the opportunity for leaders to share best practices in the battle against injustice, as well as break-out sessions and workshops. This year’s keynote speaker was Chief Executive Officer of the People’s Police Academy at the Dubois-Bunche Center for Public Policy, Divide Pryor. Anabel Palma, Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights also spoke as did Abraham Tejeda, Lead Advisor for Reentry Services at the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Learn more about the Fair Chance Act and the NYC Human Rights Commission here. (Shown L-R: Anthony Munroe, Anabel Palma)

From BMCC to the Air Force JAG Corps and a Career in International Humanitarian Law
BMCC alumnus Jordan Michel (Business Management, '08) had dreams of becoming a veterinarian while growing up in Clarendon, Jamaica, where his grandfather worked in a sugar cane factory while his grandmother sold fruit from her garden. Instead, Michel took a winding, sometimes challenging path from Jamaica to New Jersey where eventually, he found his way to BMCC, which set him on an academic journey to George Washington University Law School. Jordan graduated law school on May 15, 2022 and is awaiting his assignment as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG). He hopes to go on active duty in March 2023.

Councilmember Christopher Marte Visits BMCC
District One New York City Councilmember Christopher Marte visited BMCC's 199 Chambers Street campus October 25 for a brief tour of some of the College's support service facilities. After a meet-and-greet with President Anthony E. Munroe, the councilmember took a tour of the BMCC Early Childhood Center, led by Dean of Student Affairs Michael Hutmaker and Executive Director Cecilia Scott-Croff. Earlier this year, Marte secured $10,000 in discretionary funding for the Center. The councilmember also visited BMCC’s Research Lab where he met academic mentors and students as well as Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Erwin Wong. Finally, Councilmember Marte visited the Learning Resource Center where he met with Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Janice Zummo and student peer mentors from Project Impact. (Shown L-R: Cecilia Scott Croff and Christopher Marte; Anthony Munroe and Christopher Marte)

Jennifer Towles Joins BMCC as Director of Major Gifts
Jennifer Towles has joined the BMCC Office for Institutional Advancement as Director of Major Gifts. “A lifetime passion to help our future leaders with the tools they need to bring about change in their communities has shaped my personal giving and career,” says Director Towles, whose fundraising experience has included leadership roles in principal gifts, corporate and foundation relations, grant writing, alumni engagement, board management and special events. Her tenure in development has been with a diverse cross sector of organizations spanning higher education, social services, faith-based initiatives, and employment for veterans and individuals with disabilities. For the last 18 years, Director Towles has served in New York City institutions including the College of Staten Island, CUNY; the Archdiocese of New York and The Salvation Army. She received a B.A. in Speech Communication at The University of Texas at Tyler and completed graduate coursework in Communication Studies at University of North Texas.

Making Headlines

BMCC Professor Schneur Zalman Newfield interviews in podcast, Larry Ceplair, author of “The Hollywood Motion Picture Blacklist: Seventy-Five Years Later”
October 24, 2022 — PlayerFM

BMCC students will benefit from access to SPARC hub
October 21, 2022 — YIMBY

Announcements

REI Committee Seeks Faculty Survey Participation by November 1, to Strengthen Curriculum and Pedagogy
BMCC faculty are encouraged to participate in an anonymous survey to support the Race Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee’s (REI) work regarding ways the committee can strengthen the college’s curriculum and pedagogy. The committee is seeking faculty feedback to gauge the level of culturally responsive pedagogy that is included in their current curriculum. This survey was initially sent out in Spring 2022. The committee encourages any faculty who have not yet participated to complete the survey by November 1. As BMCC strives to become a beacon for diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, it is vital that these values are firmly embedded in all aspects of the college's teaching and learning practices. Click here to participate. All answers will be kept entirely anonymous.

Learn What’s at Stake in the Upcoming Midterm Elections at BMCC’S Civically Engaged Event on November 1
Students are invited to BMCC Civically Engaged event on Tuesday November 1 at 1 p.m. in Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. Learn what’s at stake in upcoming midterm elections and how to get involved at the community level. The event will also showcase internship and career opportunities in city government or advocacy organizations. The following organizations will be on hand to share information and opportunities: NYC Votes, NYC Civic Engagement Commission, Citizen Action, NYPIRG, the League of Women Voters, City Council Community Engagement Division, Office of the Public Advocate, NYC Public Service Corps, the BMCC Offices of Internships and Experiential Learning and Student Activities, and the Political Science and Urban Studies Programs. Pizza and refreshments will be served!

Faculty and Staff Invited to RSVP by November 2 for CUNY Professional Development Conference
The University Human Resources, Professional Development and Learning Office invites BMCC faculty and staff to attend the 2022 CUNY Professional Development Conference, "The Future of Work, Finding Our New Normal," on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the PD Conference Agenda to register and learn more about this free, virtual event. Please RSVP by November 2.

BMCC Brand Guidelines Build a Unified Message
The BMCC brand is expressed through messaging, visual elements, typography and colors that create a unique identity and set BMCC apart from other institutions. Brand guidelines for graphic, editorial and digital style, as well as social media guidelines ensure the college community is using branding elements properly and consistently. Project request forms and logo and letterhead downloads are also available. Together, we are building a persuasive brand that enhances our effectiveness and supports the BMCC mission.

BMCC With Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies Addresses Students’ Housing Insecurity
Housing insecurity can mean many things — “couch surfing,” living in a shelter, needing to escape domestic violence and more. Students living with these conditions are at risk in critical ways, including the risk of discontinuing their education. A collaboration between BMCC and Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies addresses the needs of students experiencing housing insecurity by providing them with the opportunity to live in The Towers at The City College of New York, CUNY for one to three years while attending BMCC. These dorm rooms will be offered to BMCC students taking at least nine credits and maintaining a grade point average of at least 2.0. Faculty and staff who know students needing help with housing can submit this BMCC Housing Referral Form. Students with housing needs can also email the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu, call (212) 220-8195 or drop by the ARC offices at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230.

BMCC Cafeteria Open for Fall
The BMCC cafeteria (MBJ Food Services) at 199 Chambers Street serves hot meals, salads, healthy snacks, coffee and more. Fall 2022 hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Office of Public Safety Offers Resources and Services
The Office of Public Safety ensures a safe and comfortable learning environment at BMCC through resources including free trainings for faculty, staff and students in C.P.R., A.E.D./First Aid, and Campus-Community Emergency Response. Public Safety also trains staff as campus fire wardens. Watch the video, Run. Hide. Fight.® to learn about surviving an active shooter event. To report a crime or emergency, call Public Safety at (212) 220-8080 or 911. Blue call boxes are located throughout campus. For more information, visit the Public Safety website.

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

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.

Human Resources

Submit Student Loan Forgiveness Waiver by October 31
Do you have federal student loans? You may be eligible for thousands in student loan forgiveness as a CUNY employee! The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For additional PSFL resources, please visit Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

CUNY Employees: Time to Vote on Election Day N.Y.
Per Election Law Section 3-110, CUNY employees are affected by the following:

If you do not have 4 consecutive hours to vote, either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of your working shift, of between the end of your working shift and the closing of the polls, you may take up to 3 hours, without loss of pay, to allow you time to vote if you are a registered voter.
You may take the time off at the beginning or end of your working shift, as your employer may designate, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
You must notify your employer not less than 2 days, but not more than 10 days, before the day of the election you will take time off to vote.

For more information, please contact the BMCC Human Resources department, officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 220-8300.

Open Enrollment for Flexible Spending Accounts Ends November 18
The City of New York offers its employees a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program through Internal Revenue Code section 125. The program allows City employees to deposit a portion of their pre-tax income into accounts maintained by certain health and dependent care expenses. Please refer to the FSA website for any updates to the HCFSA/DeCAP program and information on how to submit forms.

Employees Must Complete Workplace Violence and Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention Courses, Now on Blackboard
To complete both these courses, please log into Blackboard account and select your campus ESPARC or WVP Training under “my organization. For any additional questions regarding the ESPARC training, please reach out to your campus Compliance Training Administrator.

Reminder: Pay Stubs Are Only Available on NYCAPS
To access or create your account use the Employee Self-Service account pdf.

Donors and Alumni

There's Still Time to Donate to Tonight's "Invest in a Future" Gala
The BMCC Foundation is pleased to present the College's most important fundraising event—BMCC's "Invest in a Future" Gala scheduled for tonight, October 27 (6 p.m., cocktail hour; 7 p.m., program), at Tribeca 360 in lower Manhattan, 10 Desbrosses Street, NYC 10013. This year's theme is "Empowering Student Success," and the event will raise funds for student scholarships. Tables are sold out, but contributions to support scholarships at any of the sponsorship levels can be made here. Individual as well as staff and faculty tickets are still available on a limited basis and can be purchased here. For more information, please contact the BMCC Foundation at (212) 220-8020 or email advancementevents@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Sports and Wellness

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS! Women's Volleyball Captures First League Title Since 2006
The BMCC women's volleyball team claimed its first CUNYAC title since 2006 and ended Queensborough Community College's six-time defending reign in straight sets. Photo: Tony Correa

Josanne Lewis Named CUNYAC Player of the Year, Nia Bell Earns CUNYAC Coach of the Year, Emmanuella Aurel and Xheni Doci Receive CUNYAC Accolades
The BMCC Women's Volleyball team, closing out a stellar season, garners individual honors as well.

El Hadji Day Gaye Named 2022 CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Championship MVP
In addition to El Hadji Day Gaye winning Player of the Year, Carlos Auquilla was named to the Sportsmanship Team.

BMCC Swimming Pool Open to Students, Faculty, Staff and Neighbors
Current BMCC students, faculty and staff can gain free admission to the BMCC pool. View rules and hours here. Neighbors of BMCC can use the pool through the Community Pool Program. View rules, hours and fees here.

Follow the Panthers
The BMCC athletic program leads eight varsity teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level. For more news on the Panthers, visit the official site of BMCC Athletics, and follow the Panthers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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