@BMCC

May 14, 2020

BMCC Celebrates the Class of 2020
BMCC is excited to celebrate the Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony on May 29 at 11 a.m. These outstanding graduates have shown resiliency and courage as they completed their studies in the midst of a global pandemic. The college will honor its 2020 graduates with special speakers, moving video tributes and stellar musical performances. For more details, click here. For live coverage on the day of celebration, click here. Congratulations, Class of 2020!

2020 Annual Research Symposium Provides Virtual Showcase for Aspiring Researchers
On May 13, the BMCC Annual Research Symposium (BARS) showcased the research findings of 51 BMCC students involved in 39 faculty-led research projects. Displayed on BMCC’s Open Lab platform, the posters present the impressive array of research areas that BMCC students have delved into. These include anti-HIV neutralizing agents, the potential anti-oxidant capacity of plants, concerns related to the growth of automation, and measuring risk in U.S. stock prices.

Professors Recreate Classroom Dynamics to Enhance Distance Learning
Faculty at BMCC are helping students feel connected to their course content and each other with weekly updates, lecture videos, virtual breakout rooms and other tools. Students have risen to the task, gradually embracing the new reality of their college education. Image: Professor Hao Tang utilizes the remote feature in Zoom to show a student how to fix an error in her coding assignment.

2020 Digital Student Art Show Highlights Resiliency and Talent
On May 13, the Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) at BMCC celebrated student artists with a virtual opening of the 2020 Digital Student Art Show. The exhibition features student work in color and design, digital design, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture. Presented via Zoom, the opening featured speakers including faculty artists who coordinated the student work in each area.

Course Hero/Excelencia Emergency Aid
Course Hero and Excelencia in Education are providing financial assistance for BMCC students experiencing financial hardship in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes non-Title IV students and nearly 1.5 million students left out of the CARES Act. Students interested in applying for the Course Hero/Excelencia Emergency Aid should contact the BMCC Single Stop Office at singlestop@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Theatre Production Keeps Show's Spirit Alive and Strengthens Community
The faculty and students behind the BMCC Theatre Arts program’s presentation of the new original musical,“The Life of Mary Rogers: An Incredible, Plausible, Entirely Made-Up, Imagined, True Story from 1841,” were heartbroken when a global pandemic shut down hopes for staging the show live in Spring 2020. So, the professors decided to continue rehearsing, schedule a complete reading on what would have been closing night, and produce a music video — all of it virtually.

BMCC Hosts 14th Annual Entrepreneur Summit Virtually
More than 160 participants attended the 14th Annual BMCC Entrepreneurial Summit on May 12. The all-day event was filled with presentations, opportunities for students to pitch or virtually invest in business ideas, and panel discussions led by industry leaders including BMCC alumni.

2013 Nursing Program Graduate Wins Daisy Award
Dustin “Dee” Tomeo, a 2013 graduate of the BMCC nursing program, was recently named a Daisy Award winner for his service in the emergency department at Montefiore Medical Center’s Moses Division in the Bronx.

Five BMCC Guide Program Students Receive Scholarships to NYU
The GUIDE pipeline program is part of a unique BMCC and New York University (NYU) partnership that allows a select group of currently enrolled BMCC students the chance to utilize the NYU academic support system.

Announcements

STUDENTS: Tuition Waivers Available for Summer Session Starting July 14
The Petrie Completion Waiver — for eligible students who have enrolled by June 15 for the summer session starting July 14 — covers $210 per credit in up to two courses counting toward an associate degree. Waivers are first-come, first-served. Students with questions can contact the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center or advisementandtransfer@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Bursar Holds Removed for BMCC Students
While balances incurred before Spring 2020 must be paid in full to register for Summer and Fall 2020 semesters, there will be no bursar’s hold on balances up to $4,000 incurred during Spring 2020. For more information, please contact Bursar@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students Can Switch A-F Grading to Credit/No Credit in Spring 2020
In the Spring 2020 semester, BMCC students have the option to convert letter grades (A-F) to Credit/No Credit grading. For more details, click here.

Vote and Be Heard: Register by May 29
The voter registration deadline has been extended to May 29 and the presidential primary as well as local elections have been pushed to June 23. Take two minutes and register to vote at cuny.edu/vote.

Join the CUNY Virtual Choir by May 31
Record and upload a performance onto the CUNY Virtual Choir Project website by May 31 and join aspiring singers worldwide. The performances will be synced and live-streamed and released in early Summer 2020.

COVID-19 Website Offers Information and Resources
BMCC's COVID-19 Updates web page includes updates from CUNY, Facilities Management, Faculty Course Continuity Resources, Student Distance Learning and Services and messages from Interim President Karrin Wilks. For campus updates, update your contact information in CUNYfirst. The college will also text community notices through CUNY Alert and post updates on BMCC’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.

STUDENTS: Virtual Learning Resource Center (LRC) Is Ready to Help
The LRC provides online tutoring, academic coaching and more. Students can meet virtually with certified tutors and academic coaches. Faculty can access the LRC's Online Services Orientation for an online demo of virtual LRC services for students.

Compliance and Diversity Policies: Equity Is our Strength
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. If you have experienced or witnessed unlawful discrimination and harassment, you can report it to the Office of Compliance and Diversity.

NYC Well Offers Free Counseling and Assistance
NYC Well offers free apps, counseling and referrals 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.

BMCC Community Encouraged to Participate in U.S. Census
BMCC students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. An accurate count is crucial to securing New York State's fair share of federal funds for schools, hospitals, food stamps and more. To participate in the Census, click here.

Campus Planning and Facilities

Limited Building Access
The Office of Campus Planning and Facilities is unable 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

STUDENTS: Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment Services Staff Are Ready to Assist You
Students can explore online the many admissions and enrollment resources BMCC has to offer, and they are welcome to reach out by email, phone or text. The web page also links to staff members who can help them make their college dreams a reality.

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 p.m. to engage students in a conversation about the BMCC experience.

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 follow-up questions, students can tune in via Zoom on Thursdays at 6 p.m. to learn more about academic and success programs at BMCC from an admissions representative.

Summer and Fall 2020 Registration Is Open
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for the Summer 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 and register for classes. For more information, visit the Registration page, or contact Academic Advisement: eadvisement@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat

Making Headlines

BMCC mentioned as part of Second Chance Pell Initiative
May 12, 2020 — Watertown Daily Times

BMCC's Craigo, Hoontis, Jaffe, McGee and Sayegh link charrette process to equity and inclusion
May 7, 2020 — Community College Journal of Research and Practice

Human Resources

Payroll Distribution: May 15
On Friday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., payroll checks will be distributed at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South. Payroll checks from April 3, April 17 and May 1 will also be available. Please bring a pen to sign the registry.

Instructions for Having Paychecks Mailed
Starting in June, employees without direct deposit who want to receive their paycheck by mail are asked to mail several self-addressed, stamped envelopes to "Bursar-Payroll Distribution Unit," 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007.

Unclaimed Paychecks
If you have not picked up paper paychecks issued between the end of January through the end of February, please email officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Sign up for Direct Deposit and Suspend Your Transit Benefits
If you want your paycheck deposited directly into your bank account, or to suspend your payroll-deducted transit benefits, complete the Direct Deposit form, Transit Benefit form and/or Park and Ride form and send to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Pay Stub Distribution
If you would like your pay stubs mailed to you on a monthly basis, send several self-addressed stamped envelopes to ATTN: HR Pay-stub Distribution, 199 Chambers Street, NY, NY 10007.

Work Well Digital Offers Free Yoga, Meditation and More
WorkWell NYC is New York City’s workplace wellness program. BMCC faculty and staff can sign up for free digital classes and programs in healthy eating, mental well-being, exercise and more.

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

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
The CARES Act of March 2020 waives the requirement for IRA owners to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) in 2020. However, the Qualified Charitable Distribution allowance (QCD), for donors 70½ or older is still in force, and the annual limit remains at $100,000. This means that at age 70½, you can still help students and use your IRA to make a QCD of up to $100,000 for the year.

New Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizers
Taxpayers who take the standard deduction rather than itemizing their deductions will nevertheless be able to claim a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made in 2020. Only cash gifts are entitled to the $300 deduction. Gifts of stocks, clothes, vehicles and land are not eligible. 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
In recent years, 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 visual message of hope could inspire students when they eventually return to campus.

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