News

BMCC Rallies to Distribute Food and Devices for Students
As the world continues to receive updates about the COVID-19 pandemic, BMCC staff came together to hand out bags of food from the Panther Pantry and laptops and Chromebooks to students who were in need. The collective efforts were made possible by the coordination of Administration and Planning (Buildings and Grounds, Public Safety and the Custodial Team) and the efforts of Student Affairs (Single Stop). Members of BMCC's administration volunteered to handout bags of food and greet students who were continuing to transition to distance learning for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester.

BMCC’s Contact Center Reinforces Students’ Connection to the College
Across the United States, many colleges and universities are turning to student call centers as solutions to strengthen their outreach, recruiting, and retention metrics. Some choose to create a call center by seeking out third-party solutions, but BMCC continues to manage its contact center, which is staffed with a dedicated team of full-time and part-time individuals who include students. Katty Cherbin, Director of BMCC’s Contact Center, says BMCC’s Enrollment Contact Center has taken innovative and strategic approaches to creating a team that is responsive to the needs of the students and the college.

BMCC Interim President Hosting Virtual Town Halls, April 7 and 8 Karrin Wilks, Interim President of BMCC, invites all faculty and staff to attend Virtual Town Halls on Zoom, to learn about college updates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual town halls will also offer opportunities for BMCC community members to ask questions and provide feedback. BMCC faculty are invited to attend town halls on April 7 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.; or 4:15 to 5 p.m. BMCC staff are invited to attend town halls on April 8, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. or 4:15 to 5 p.m. Invitations will be sent via email.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Available
New York City and State officials have released information on unemployment resources created through the CARE Act, enacted March 27. These include Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), available to those not typically eligible for unemployment insurance, such as self-employed/1099 workers, part-time workers and those unemployed for an extended period of time. Impacted students can also apply by phone or online. This flyer breaks down who is eligible to apply for PUA. Visit the New York State Department of Labor for more information.

NYC City Council Provides Funds for Food Insecurity
The New York City Council is giving 1,595 food-insecure CUNY students $400 for food and providing $35,000 for campus food pantries. The Council is drawing on a $1 million pilot program launched in December 2019 to fight food insecurity among CUNY students, including those at BMCC.

Coronavirus Information and Resources Available
BMCC has created a Coronavirus: Information and Resources website to provide updates from CUNY, Facilities Management, services available, and more. In addition, messages from BMCC Interim President Karrin Wilks are also available on this site. To receive campus updates, we urge members of the BMCC community to update their contact information in CUNYfirst. The college will send community notices to the email addresses provided in CUNYfirst and through CUNY Alert text messages. In addition, stay tuned for updates on BMCC’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.

Announcements

COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund
In the wake of this crisis, BMCC has created the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund. By making a contribution to this fund, you can make a difference in the lives of our students at this time. Your support will provide emergency funding for housing, food and technology to students who are unable to meet the unexpected financial burdens resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to give.

Compliance and Diversity Policies
At BMCC, our diversity is our strength. COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, nationality, ethnicity, or any other protected category. BMCC embraces facts and reject the stigmas of unlawful discrimination and harassment. The College remains committed to fostering the safety, diversity, equity and inclusion of every single member of our community — our students, our faculty, and our staff. Please remember that our policies protecting equal educational and employment opportunity and prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, remain in effect and may also apply to online and off campus incidents. BMCC Community members who have experienced or witnessed unlawful discrimination and harassment can report it to the Office of Compliance and Diversity.

NYC Well Offers Counseling Assistance
If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, NYC Well offers free apps, brief counseling and referrals for care assistance in more than 200 languages. BMCC faculty, staff and students can contact NYC Well’s confidential 24/7 helpline, staffed by trained counselors at (888) 692-9355. They can also text "WELL" to 65173, or reach help via Chat.

Students Will Still Graduate — But Commencement Ceremony Is Postponed BMCC's 2020 Commencement Ceremony at Barclays Center — for the classes of Summer 2019, Fall 2019, Winter 2020 and Spring 2020 — has been postponed, till further notice. "We want to be clear that it is the commencement ceremony that will be postponed, not graduation,” said BMCC said Vice President of Student Affairs Marva Craig. “We will keep faculty, staff and students updated on this and other changes at BMCC as we adjust to this global pandemic."

Virtual Choir Submissions Deadline Extended to May 31 Looking for a fun activity during shelter in place? Join aspiring singers from around the world by recording and uploading a performance onto the CUNY Virtual Choir Project website, through May 31. The performances will be synced and blended and live-streamed later in Spring 2020.

E-Learning Center Services and Updates

Blackboard Support is Now Available After Hours 
BMCC students and faculty with a pressing Blackboard question can now call Blackboard for assistance. This after-hours Blackboard support will be available by telephone (646) 664-2024; Monday through Friday, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.; and weekends, all day.

Zoom Support Available
The BMCC Community can call (212) 220-8379 or email servicedesk@bmcc.cuny.edu for Zoom tech support. For support on how to use Zoom in the classroom, email elearning@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Course Continuity Resources for Faculty and Staff
The E-Learning Center has created a Course Continuity Resources website with tutorials, training materials, and tools to support faculty and staff. It includes teaching approaches during emergencies, how to create an in-person course in Blackboard, how to create and use Zoom Web Conferencing, and other useful information.

Distance Learning for Students Resources Available
The E-Learning Center has created a Distance Learning for Students website to prepare BMCC students to participate in distance learning. It includes frequently asked questions, tips for success, how to access and participate in Blackboard courses, how to use Zoom Web Conferencing, and other useful information.

A. Philip Randolph Memorial Library Offers Services Online The Library is physically closed until further notice. Some services will only be available online. For all questions please email: help@bmcc-cuny.libanswers.com. Learn more about virtual services that are available.

Virtual Service Desk Open
To protect the health and safety of our students and employees, the Service Desk has gone virtual. For assistance, call (212) 220-8379, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 7p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Submit a request or ask a question by sending an email to servicedesk@bmcc.cuny.edu. Visit the IT Services site where you can submit a ticket, check the status of your request, and find answers to common technology questions including how to download and install Office 365, set up BMCC email on your mobile device and much more.

CETLS Offers Facilitated Discussions, Workshops and More
CETLS, E-Learning, and the Office of Research have planned a series of facilitated discussions, distance education workshops, and research sessions, all of which will take place on Zoom. They have also created an online space where faculty can connect to share experiences, ideas, and questions. The BMCC Course Continuity website is an excellent resource for distance education tools and strategies. Please contact CETLS Director Gina Cherry with any questions or ideas about how CETLS can support faculty during this time.

Keep Up with the News: Activate Your FREE New York Times and Wall Street Journal accounts
Students, faculty and staff have free access to The New York TImes and Wall Street Journal using your active BMCC email account. Also, all COVID-19 reporting by The Washington Post is free for all readers. 

Campus Planning and Facilities

Limited Building Access
The Office of Campus Planning and Facilities is unable at this time to accommodate individual requests for access to BMCC campus buildings. Thank you for your cooperation. Please follow the Governor’s directive to stay home and help us stop the spread of this deadly virus.

Removal of Perishable Items: Food and Plants

• Because faculty and staff are not able to visit the BMCC campus until further notice, perishable food will be removed to prevent environmentally hazardous conditions such as insect infestations and mildew.
• Since limited essential staff is not able to sustain indoor office plants, the plants will be relocated to the exterior of the building, where some could survive with sunlight and rainwater.

Enrollment

Summer and Fall 2020 Registration Is Open
Please encourage students to register for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. Things to know: All students must meet virtually with their advisor before registering. Students can use Schedule Builder on CUNYfirst to create a schedule that works best for them, and register for classes. For more information, visit the Registration page, or contact Academic Advisement at eadvisement@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Offers Live Chat Help for Students Borough of Manhattan Community College Admissions is offering live chat to help students applying to BMCC and newly enrolled students.

BMCC Virtual Tour Provides Interactive Views of College
The BMCC virtual tour provides an immersive experience of BMCC. Whether using their mobile phone, tablet or computer, prospective students can view panoramic images of campus buildings, as well as videos highlighting academic and support service locations and student success stories. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Making Headlines

New York City Council sends relief payment to qualifying CUNY students and campus pantries
March 31, 2020 — NBC 4 New York

Peter J. Reisman, Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer, Bank of China U.S.A., references company's support of BMCC gala
March 30, 2020 — Leaders Magazine

Professor Jason Schneiderman featured in Red Hen Press virtual reading
March 27, 2020 — Broadway World

Human Resources

Payroll Distribution on Campus: April 3
BMCC employees who still receive a paper payroll check can pick it up on Friday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 199 Chambers Street Breezeway at 2 South. Please bring a pen with you to sign the registry.

Sign up for Direct Deposit and Suspend Transit Benefits
While BMCC is operating on a distance model, you may want your paycheck to be deposited directly into your bank account. Also, those who are not commuting may want to suspend their payroll-deducted transit benefits. To make this happen, complete the Direct Deposit form, Transit Benefit form and/or Park and Ride form and send to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.

View TIAA Webinar Global Lookout: “When Is it Safe to Come Out?” How will the pandemic-driven market volatility impact your TIAA retirement account? To view the March 25 webinar (available through April 25), go to “The Webinar Lounge” and login. Click “On-Demand Webinars” in the upper right-hand corner, then click “Launch” next to the March 25  webinar, “Global Lookout:  When Is it safe to Come Out?”

Tips from Weight Watchers: Healthy Eating and Staying Fit at Home
Here are some healthy eating tips: How to stock up for 2 weeks, Snacks to eat while working from home and Recipes to make with kids. Also, here are Exercises to do at home and FitOn, free workout app.

Alumni and Donors

Use your IRA-Qualified Charitable Distribution to Help During this Time of Student Need
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. This bill changes the age at which retirement plan participants are required to take minimum distributions from 70½ to 72 — but it makes no change to the age at which individuals may begin using their IRAs to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This means that at age 70, you can still use your IRA to make a QCD of up to $100,000 for the year. Please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, (212) 346-8650, or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu, for more information. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Naming Opportunities Send a Message of Support to Students, When They Return to Campus Last academic year, BMCC lost two beloved colleagues — Sadie Bragg, retired Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Scott Anderson, retired Vice President for Administration and Finance. To commemorate their deep commitment to BMCC students — many of whom have had their educations disrupted by a global pandemic — we have established memorial funds in support of naming opportunities on the BMCC campus. Make a donation today and select a memorial fund under the “Designation” option. Your name and message of hope will inspire students when they return to campus.

Now More Than Ever, Your Support Makes a Difference in Students’ Lives
Your donations to the BMCC Faculty and Staff Campaign can provide critical support for students whose lives have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Please take a moment to make a donation online or text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622, and designate your donation to a particular department, if you want.

Calendar

Online Free Workshop: Microsoft Excel Orientation (Students Only)
April 6

Online Business Internship Advisement and Registration
April 6

Online Internship Information Session
April 7

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.