@BMCC

April 16, 2020

Self Care in a Pandemic: Advice from Lesley Rennis, Chair of the BMCC Health Education Department
“If you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t step in and take care of the student whose parent is sick or who has lost her job or is struggling with the transition to distance learning," Rennis says. "They’re relying on us to help them and we have to take care of ourselves so we can do that.”

BMCC Student Cohort Programs Build Virtual Communities
As BMCC students and professors adjust to a distance-learning model, so do the college's many small group, or cohort programs. The directors of three of BMCC's cohort success programs share how they are utilizing technology, creativity and ingenuity to bring their vital services to students virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cecilia Scott-Croff Selected for 2020 Cohort of NYC Early Childhood Research Network
BMCC Early Childhood Center Executive Director Cecilia Scott-Croff has been selected to join the 2020 cohort of Early Career Scholars through the NYC Early Childhood Research Network. The five members of the cohort come from across New York City’s academic institutions. Scott-Croff’s research interest pertains to student parents and their experience supporting children with special needs. As a member of the cohort, she will receive $5,000 to support her work applying research to inform early childhood policy and practice, and to pursue research for social impact.

STUDENTS: BMCC Provides COVID-19 Emergency Grants
Please encourage your students who need immediate financial assistance in order to continue their education, to email the BMCC Single Stop Office, singlestop@bmcc.cuny.edu, with their phone number and 8-digit CUNYfirst ID number. A Single Stop staff member will help the students determine their eligibility for an emergency grant, gather documentation and complete online applications.

Shirley Fiterman Art Center Hosts Digital Student Art Show
The BMCC Shirley Fiterman Art Center will present a digital student art show on Instagram, opening April 22. The exhibition will feature paintings, photography, drawings, sculpture, digital design and other types of work. Follow the art center @shirley_fiterman_art_center and #bmccstudentartwork. Stay tuned for more coverage.

BMCC Photography Major Takes Cover Shot for Marie Claire
Genesis Gil, a BMCC photography major and one of three students working with Red Hook Labs — a studio, gallery space and school in Brooklyn that supports emerging photographers — has participated as a photographer to take the Emily Blunt cover shot for the March 2020 issue of Marie Claire, a fashion magazine.

Theatre Major Jalene Then Wins CUNY Photo Contest
"Beauty is Everywhere," a photo by BMCC Theatre major Jalene Then of a classmate (shown at left), has won the March 2020 CUNY Photo Contest. “This picture was taken after class on the 7th floor of the main building at BMCC," says Then. "The best thing is that it was unplanned. Beauty is everywhere and anywhere, and the beauty of photography can take place anywhere, even in the hallways of your school.”

Announcements

Encourage Your Students to Apply for Summer 2020 Tuition Waivers
BMCC Summer 2020 tuition waiver programs cover $210 per credit for eligible students. The Petrie Completion Waiver is for students who need up to two courses to complete their BMCC associate degree and have enrolled in a course that counts toward that degree, in one or both summer sessions starting May 26 and July 14. The STEM Waiver is for students who are NYC residents and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or NYS Tap-Eligible (includes Jose Peralta New York State Dream Act) at the time the waiver is applied. They must enroll in a credit-bearing math, science, computer science or other approved course that counts toward their BMCC associate degree to receive a tuition waiver in the session starting May 26 only. To receive either waiver, students must register by May 1 for classes starting May 26 and by June 15 for classes starting July 14. Waivers are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Students with questions should contact the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center: advisementandtransfer@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Contribute to the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund
BMCC has created the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund to support students impacted by the pandemic. Your contribution will provide emergency funding for housing, food and technology to students who are unable to meet unexpected financial burdens resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to give.

STUDENTS: Virtual Admissions and Enrollment Services Is Available for Assistance
To keep everyone safe and healthy, admissions and enrollment services have transitioned to an online-only format. Students can use this web page to explore the many resources BMCC has to offer, and they are welcome to reach out by email, phone or text. The web page also shows photos and contact information of staff members who are ready to help them make their college dreams a reality.

Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is April 20-24
Quarantine can be a setting for increased domestic violence. The BMCC Women's Resource Center encourages students to stay engaged as they shelter at home and to connect with resources including those offered by the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Campus SAAM, April 20-24, will offer virtual events including a faculty panel on April 22 led by BMCC Professor Brianne Waychoff. For more information, visit this page or the Women's Resource Center.

Submit your BALLOT for the 2019-2020 Employee Appreciation Awards
BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions through their role at BMCC, beyond what is normally expected of employees. SUBMIT ONE nomination in each category: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/ Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Employees have one chance to submit their ballot. Make it count by filling in a thoughtful, detailed nomination no later than May 1.

COVID-19 Updates Website Offers Information and Resources
The BMCC's COVID-19 Updates web page includes updates from CUNY, Facilities Management, Faculty Course Continuity Resources, Student Distance Learning and Services, and more. 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.

STUDENTS: The Virtual Learning Resource Center Is Available for Assistance
Now that students are learning from home, the BMCC Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides online tutoring, academic coaching, online supplemental instruction and other services to help them excel in their classes. Through the friendly Upswing platform, students can meet with certified tutors. They can also meet one-on-one with an academic coach who is committed to their success. Faculty can take advantage of the LRC's Online Services Orientation, which provides a brief online demo of the virtual LRC services available to their students. Whatever their major, the LRC is ready to help students come out of this difficult time feeling confident about their learning experience.

Compliance and Diversity Policies: Diversity Is our Strength
BMCC embraces facts and rejects unlawful discrimination and harassment. The College remains committed to fostering the safety, diversity, equity and inclusion of every member of the community — students, faculty and staff. BMCC policies protect equal educational and employment opportunity and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. These policies 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. "We want to be clear that it is the commencement ceremony that will be postponed, not graduation,” said BMCC 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.

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 the BMCC community, the Service Desk has gone virtual. For assistance, call (212) 220-8379, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Submit a request or question via email to servicedesk@bmcc.cuny.edu. Visit the IT Services site to 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 more.

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 their active BMCC email account. Also, 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.

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

BMCC student recruitment efforts move to online platforms
April 14, 2020 — Community College Daily

BMCC/CUNY Virtual Choir brings people together during pandemic
April 10, 2020 — WNYC (NPR), Spectrum/NY1

Lorna A. Malcolm joins BMCC as vice president of advancement
April 10, 2020 — Chronicle of Philanthropy

Human Resources

Payroll Distribution: April 17
If you receive a paper check, please pick it up on Friday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South.

Sign up for Direct Deposit and Suspend Your 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.

COVID-related FAQs Provides Updates and Contact Information
A new resource document, HR COVID-19 FAQs provides updates and contact information related to direct deposit, transit benefits, college assistants, full-time classified staff and more. For more information related to the pandemic, visit the Human Resources website.

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
In December 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was enacted. 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 could inspire students when they return to campus in a post-pandemic academic year.

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.

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