@BMCC

June 25, 2020

BMCC Modern Languages Faculty Featured in ADFL Bulletin
Faculty from the Modern Languages department — Maria Enrico (Department Chair), Ángeles Donoso Macaya, Sophie Maríñez and Kristina Varade— have been interviewed in an extensive feature article published in the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages (ADFL) Bulletin.

BMCC Professors See Evidence of First Light Ever Detected from a Black Hole Merger
BMCC Science Professors Barry McKernan and K.E. Saavik Ford are part of a team of astronomers that has seen evidence of what could be the first light ever detected from a black hole, a tremendous advance for astronomy and physics.

The Activism and Journey of Communications Major Twinkle Paul
Having earned a High School Equivalency diploma at BMCC and now working on an associate degree, Twinkle Paul advocates for Black transwomen in New York and also raises funds to help transwomen impacted by Covid in Guyana and Suriname.

MEOC Virtual Graduation Set for July 15
Students at the SUNY Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) will be graduating on July 15. The virtual graduation will be live streamed on at 12 noon. More details to follow. The virtual graduation will include remarks from: Lisa McKay, Provost and Director, SUNY UCAWD; Karrin E. Wilks, Interim President, BMCC; Anthony Watson, Executive Director, MEOC; Leroy Jemison, EOC Lecturer; Marie Esteve, Valedictorian; and P. Gregory Pulensky, Salutatorian.

Virtual Advisement Conference, Designing for Transfer, Puts Students at the Center
On June 18, BMCC's Fifth Annual Advisement Conference, Designing for Transfer, convened more than 130 attendees in Zoom gatherings that examined how to strengthen the rate of transfer for community college students.

BMCC Offers Resources on Racial Trauma, Anti-Racism and Social Justice
BMCC is committed to advancing equity, strengthening its culture of care, and advancing socioeconomic mobility and justice through education. The college offers resources and activities to support thoughtful discussions and find solutions guided by the BMCC mission to offer a quality education to all students and provide a welcoming workplace for faculty and staff. See Interim President Karrin E. Wilks' message to the BMCC Community.

Announcements

Now Available: Summer/Fall 2020 Course Catalogue
With all courses offered online — many of them free to qualifying students — opportunities abound in the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. "Whether you are looking for a pathway to an associate degree or professional development that leads to improved career opportunities ... The Center provides cutting-edge technology, hands-on experience, partnerships with local businesses and industry, and an engaging classroom experience designed to help you meet your goals," said BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks.

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.

Participate in Census2020 Social Media Challenge by June 26
BMCC community members are encouraged to tell their friends and social media followers about the importance of completing the 2020 U.S. Census, and to enter a raffle to win one of ten $200 Amazon gift cards. For more information, contact Doug Israel at disrael@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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
The BMCC Virtual Open House is Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Future students will become familiar with online learning options through virtual mini sessions, speak with current BMCC students and faculty, take a virtual tour of the campus, 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 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. The last day to register for Summer 5W2 is July 14. 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 info, visit the Registration page, or contact Academic Advisement at eadvisement@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.

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

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 about academic and success programs at BMCC hosted by an admissions representative.

Making Headlines

BMCC Professors may have detected light from colliding black holes for first time ever
June 25, 2020— CNN, The Independent, The Guardian, The Verge, The New York Times

BMCC IMPACT peer mentoring program highlighted for its transition to a virtual format
June 23, 2020 — AACC (American Association of Community Colleges)

BMCC Interim President Karrin Wilks talks about the college's Aspen Prize nomination
June 22, 2020 — The Chief

Professor and founder of Brooklyn Granola, Margaret Barrow, reflects on Juneteenth
June 19, 2020 — CBS All Access

Human Resources

CUNY Announces 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
CUNY employees and their families can access free, confidential assistance, resources, referrals and counseling 24/7 through the CUNY Work/Life Program from CCA@Your Service. Areas of assistance range from financial and legal resources to produce discounts, stress management and more. Call (800) 833-8707 or visit www.myccaonline.com and enter the company code: CUNY.

BMCC’s four-day summer workweek begins Monday June 22

The College will be closed the following Fridays: June 26, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31 and August 7.
All employees will work seven-hour days on June 29, June 30, July 1 and July 2
Friday, July 3, will be a CUNY holiday in observance of Independence Day.
More information: CUNY Employee Holidays.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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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