@BMCC

April 23, 2020

President's Message- State of the College May 5
Interim President Karrin Wilks invites the BMCC community to attend the annual State of the College address, this year to be live-streamed on May 5, 1-2 p.m. Wilks will provide an overview of BMCC's accomplishments and points of pride from the past year, and will address the challenges the college faces going forward. Mostly, the State of the College is an opportunity to celebrate success, and the BMCC community, even from a distance.

Health Services Director Penelope Jordan Serves as ER Nurse During COVID Outbreak
Health Services Director Penelope Jordan has worked as an ER nurse on weekends since she assumed her role at BMCC 15 years ago. This keeps her “critical care edge,” she says, and that “edge” came in handy, as Jordan’s weekend ER shifts intensified during the COVID outbreak.

BMCC Professor Sharon Avni Receives Mellon/ACLS Fellowship
BMCC’s professors have a passion to explore a variety of research and pedagogical approaches to enhance the learning experience of students and share their academic expertise across many platforms. Most recently, Sharon Avni, professor of Academic Literacy and Linguistics, was awarded with a Mellon/ACLS Community College Faculty Fellowship for her project titled, “Hebraists by Choice: American Jews and the Mobilization of Modern Hebrew.” The fellowship includes a stipend of up to $40,000 to advance her project.

Professor Yanagisawa Part of Team Whose Recent Discovery Sheds Light on the Origin of the Universe
BMCC Professor of Science Chiaki Yanigisawa is a long-time member of the T2K Collaboration, an international team of 500 physicists from 12 countries led by Atsuko K. Ichikawa of Kyoto University. The team gathers data from a giant particle detector in Japan, and just reported in Nature magazine that they have measured a slight but telling difference in the behavior of neutrinos and their opposites, antineutrinos. “In short, this discovery could help scientists understand why all matter wasn't annihilated in the Big Bang, an event generally accepted as the impetus that led to the formation of earth and our very existence," says Yanagisawa.

A Day in the Life of a BMCC Student Who is An Essential Worker
BMCC Liberal Arts major Monique Henry works at a Trader Joe's on the lower east side of Manhattan. Unlike the majority of New Yorkers who have been instructed to stay at home and limit time outside, public-facing grocery store workers such as Henry, are deemed "essential" for society.

2020 Digital Student Art Show Highlights Talent Across Genres
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center at BMCC presents the 2020 Digital Student Art Show, opening on Instagram April 22. The exhibition will feature outstanding student artwork from academic programs in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital design and color and design.

Announcements

Bursar Holds Removed for BMCC Students
To further assist students with continuing their education, students with current Spring 2020 semester balances of $4,000 or less are allowed to register for the upcoming Summer and Fall 2020 semesters. All balances prior to Spring 2020 must be paid in full in order for registration to occur for Summer and Fall 2020. There will be no Bursar holds applied until after the start of the Fall 2020 semester, which is August 26, to allow students to conduct school related transactions without delay. For answers to questions, email Bursar@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Supporting Student's Mental Health Workshop, April 24
The Counseling Center is offering an online workshop to help faculty and staff support student's mental health during the pandemic on Friday, April 24 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. The workshop, which will be held on Zoom, will provide a space to validate feelings and review effective support procedures for students. The transition to distance learning has been very difficult on the entire BMCC community. In addition, the spread of COVID-19 and the economic impact of New York City’s shelter-at-home directive have disproportionately impacted BMCC students. Click here for the Supporting Student Mental Health Zoom link.

COVID-19 Flexible Grading Policy
During the Spring 2020 semester, all BMCC/CUNY students shall have the option to convert any or all of the (A-F) letter grades they earn in their classes, to Credit/No Credit grading. The CUNY Board of Trustees approved this policy change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details, click here.

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.

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.

NY Voter Registration Deadline Extended to May 29
BMCC continues its voter registration efforts during the pandemic. The new voter registration deadline is May 29 and the presidential primary as well as several local elections has been pushed back to June 23. Take two minutes and register to vote at cuny.edu/vote.

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.

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.

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

Weekly Virtual Admissions Information Sessions
Whether it’s a prospective student getting a jump start on the college selection process, or an admitted student with a few follow up questions, students can tune in via Zoom on Thursdays at 6:00 PM to learn more about academic and success programs at BMCC hosted by an admissions representative. Visit the Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment Services web page to explore services available.

Virtual Chat with a Campus Tour Guide
While COVID-19 might prevent our traditional on-campus tours, college tour guides are available virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays at 3:00 PM to engage students in a conversation about the BMCC experience.

Optimizing Success at BMCC for Admitted Students
For admitted students interested in student success and support programs such as ASAP, College Discovery, Math Start or CUNY Start, admissions is offering a week of virtual sessions catered exclusively to admitted students:

April 27	ASAP
April 28	Math Start
April 29	College Discovery
May 1	CUNY Start

*All sessions start at 3:00 PM via Zoom

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.

Making Headlines

English Professor Cheryl Fish's poetry about trauma related to 9/11 featured
April 23—SUM (Research, Innovation and Creativity at CUNY)

BMCC EMT faculty work on ambulance shifts while distance teaching their classes
April 20, 2020 — Community College Daily

Science Professor Yanagisawa part of team linking matter/antimatter differences to the origin of the universe
April 15, 2020 — The New York Times, Science Magazine, BBC News

Human Resources

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

DONATE NOW: COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund Enables Students to Continue Their Education
The COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund at BMCC can help students overcome hardship and move forward with their educational goals. To make a donation, please click here. For corporate donations and matching gifts, please contact Ana Fernandez at AFernandez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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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