@BMCC

June 11, 2020

Virtual Fundraiser Bolsters COVID Emergency Fund and Student Scholarships at BMCC
A virtual fundraiser at BMCC to support the college’s COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund and BMCC Student Scholarships Fund is being held June 11 via live stream, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join this important event from home, and enjoy a program that includes video appearances by Ashely Bouder, Principal Dancer of the New York City Ballet; Edie Falco, Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award Winner actor; Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez, Oscar®- and Grammy®-winning songwriters; Jim Axelrod, National Correspondent, CBS News; John Dunleavy, Global President, Eightbar/WPP Global Client Leader, IBM and rising star and BMCC alumna Grace Van Patten and more. To make a donation, click here.

BMCC Is Named One of 10 National Finalists For $1 Million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has named BMCC one of 10 finalists out of 1,000 colleges competing for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. In early 2021, a distinguished jury will convene to select the prize winner, finalists with distinction and a rising star, and to allocate a $1 million award among them. The winner will be announced at a May 2021 event in Washington, D.C.

BMCC Staffer Helps Stop Food Insecurity in a Neighborhood Hard Hit by Covid
Brianna T. Codner, an audio technician with the BMCC Media Center has used her expertise to set up the sound system for countless large events at the college. When a friend set up a free-food community fridge in their neighborhood in Harlem, Codner found she had another skill set — grass roots community organizing and helping people feel comfortable taking home bags of fresh food.

Civil Service Recognition Virtual Ceremony: June 17
Join the livestream ceremony on June 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., as BMCC recognizes Classified/Civil Service employees who have reached 35, 30 and 20 milestone years of important service and hard work at BMCC.

Announcements

Outstanding Staff Recognized in Annual Celebration
The BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards, held June 5 as a virtual event, celebrated staff members who have gone above and beyond their duties to enhance the work environment at BMCC, and to further BMCC’s mission of equity and providing a quality education for all students.

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.

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.

BMCC Community Encouraged to Participate in Census2020 Social Media Challenge
BMCC community members are encouraged to help spread the word to their friends and followers on social media about the importance of completing the 2020 U.S. Census and be entered in a raffle to win one of ten $200 Amazon gift cards.

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.

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

Summer 2020 Virtual Open House Welcomes Future Students on June 27
Is your family member or friend interested in attending college? Invite them to the BMCC Virtual Open House, Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. They will experience online learning options through virtual mini-sessions, speak with BMCC students and faculty, take a virtual campus tour, and learn about financial aid options, student services, success programs and how to apply. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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.

Weekly Virtual 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.

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. They can also reach out by email, phone or text, as well as talking to staff members listed online 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.

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

Making Headlines

Queen Latifa references BMCC as first college
June 10, 2020 — Grow From Acrons.com

BMCC named among 10 colleges nationwide as finalist for the prestigious Aspen Prize
June 8, 2020 — Community College Daily, Inside Higher Ed

Adjunct Lecturer Rebecca Smart speaks out against layoffs
June 8, 2020 — The Chief

Dean Sunil Gupta joins NYC non-profit leaders in open letter demanding reform
June 8, 2020 — City Limits

Human Resources

Pick Up Paper Paychecks: June 12
Payroll Distribution will take place June 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway 2 South. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry.

Celebrate Pride Month With NYCPride
BMCC is stronger for the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. Join NYC Pride to virtually celebrate and advocate for an inclusive future without discrimination. Tor register for the NYC Virtual Rally, click here. For information on LGBTQI services at BMCC, click here.

How to Receive Paychecks by Mail  
Employees without direct deposit can receive paychecks by mail if they mail several self-addressed, stamped envelopes to: Bursar-Payroll Distribution Unit, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007.

How to Receive Paystubs by Mail  
Employees can receive pay stubs by mail if they mail several self-addressed, stamped envelopes to: HR Pay-stub Distribution, 199 Chambers Street, NY, NY 10007.

Claim Unclaimed Paychecks Before They Expire 
Employees who have not picked up paper paychecks issued from January through March can email officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu ASAP, and have the checks mailed to them before they expire.

Take Action to Protect Your Eyes
Prolonged screen time can cause eye dryness, irritation and even weaker vision. Check out these tips to reduce eye strain from digital devices.

Explore Building Blocks of Resilience
Take time to complete this worksheet to cultivate your resilience, the capacity to rebound from stressful and traumatic events.

Move NYC Digital 5K: A Virtual Race
Any BMCC employee who is a walker, runner or roller is welcome to join the five-kilometer challenge and virtual race, June 22 - June 29. Sign up here.

Sign up for Direct Deposit or Suspend Transit Benefit Deductions  
To sign up for Direct Deposit or suspend payroll-deducted transit benefits, complete the Direct Deposit form, Transit Benefit form or Park and Ride form and send it to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Complete WPV and ESPARC Training by August 7  
In compliance with New York State law, full- and part-time CUNY employees must complete these online trainings by August 7: The Employee Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) and the Workplace Violence Training (WPV). Please log into CUNY Blackboard to access each course. For help disabling pop-up blockers or other assistance, contact Maria Deckinger, mdeckinger@bmcc.cuny.edu or Lori Mazzola, lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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.

Free Workwell Webinars: Fitness, Finance and More

On-Demand Workout Classes: Enjoy yoga, meditation, Zumba and more
Reduce the stigma attached to mental health. Download the Workplace Mental Health Guidance for Commissioners and Agency Leadership Toolkit.
Men’s Health Week: From June 15 to 19, join a fitness boot camp, discussion on men's mental health and more.

COVID-related FAQs Provides Updates and Contact Information
A resource document, HR COVID-19 FAQs provides information on 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

Community Invited to Toast New BMCC Graduates
Join us at 5:30 p.m., Friday, June 12 on Zoom for a Virtual Toast to celebrate the newly minted graduates of the Class of 2020! The event is hosted by the BMCC Alumni Association Office of Institutional Advancement. Please RSVP HERE. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link and password. This event is open to BMCC alumni, donors, faculty and staff. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez at: ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu or alumni@bmcc.cuny.edu

BMCC ALUMNI: Mid-morning Coffee Break with President Wilks Series
Alumni are invited to participate in a new monthly series, Mid-Morning Coffee Break with Interim President Karrin Wilks. This is an opportunity for alumni to ask questions, share concerns and stories, and connect with the college. Click here to register.

An Easy Way to Make a Positive Impact
Interested in helping BMCC with our mission but feel overwhelmed and anxious about possibly outliving your current assets? A simple, flexible way to ensure we can continue our life-changing work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. A charitable bequest is a written declaration that a donation be made to BMCC Foundation. You may indicate the purpose and use of your bequest, such as scholarships, food insecurity or general needs. For additional information or for a confidential conversation, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu. We are deeply grateful for your support.

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.

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