@BMCC

August 27, 2020

“Welcome to Fall 2020” Webinars Mark a Semester Like No Other
On August 26 and 27, “Welcome to Fall 2020” webinars co-hosted by Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Public Affairs at BMCC presented an overview of services, academic resources and safety protocols at the college — all designed to meet the needs of students who are starting in a semester in which 98.9 percent of the courses are only available online.

BMCC President-Designee Anthony E. Munroe Welcomes Students Back to Fall 2020
"In the face of unprecedented challenges, BMCC has demonstrated grit, determination, resolve, excellence, power and focus on the future — the future of the institution, the future of our students, the future of our great city and the future of our nation and the world," says Munroe in a campus-wide greeting to BMCC students, faculty and staff. Read his inspiring message in its entirety on the BMCC website and watch this video for more information on what to expect in the Fall 2020 semester.

Professor Macaya Selected as a Faculty Lead for Prestigious Research Seminar
BMCC Modern Languages Professor Angeles Donoso Macaya is one of seven CUNY professors selected as Faculty Leads for the Andrew W. Mellon Seminar on Public Engagement and Collaborative Research through The Center for the Humanities at The Graduate Center, CUNY. Macaya’s project, "Archives in Common: Migrant Practices/Knowledges/Memory," brings community organizers together with immigrant and university communities to help expand cooperatives, workshops and gardens within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fall 2020 BMCC Commons Welcomes President Anthony E. Munroe and Highlights Time of Change
The college's biannual publication BMCC Commons highlights staff, student and faculty excellence — as well as their commitment to deliver instruction and services in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Announcements

Register to Vote at CUNYfirst by October 9
In the midst of Covid-19, stay safe, stay home and register to vote online through the DMV with a State-issued I.D. or access the form under the Register to Vote heading on this site. In addition, you can now vote by Absentee Ballot in the upcoming Election. Students can register to vote on CUNYfirst. The deadline to register is October 9.

Required: Download Everbridge App to Complete Daily Symptom Checker to Enter Campus
All faculty, staff and students as well as guests must complete a COVID-19 symptom checker before coming into a BMCC office or campus location. After a brief one-time setup of the Everbridge Health Screening Application, the daily symptom checker takes less than two minutes to complete. For instructions on how to download and use the app for entry into BMCC, click here.

Reprographics Offers Printing and Copying Services With Curbside Pickup Reprographics offers a variety of printing services with curbside pickup to faculty and staff from its main office at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-128. Visit the Reprographics website for more information.

Resources for Supporting Students: Two Updated Brochures
The Office of Public Affairs has released the new Comprehensive Academic Programs brochure, which provides degree program information and Student Support Programs brochure, which highlights offices and services such as financial aid and tutoring programs. Downloadable versions are on the BMCC website.

Faculty and Staff: What to Know if Students Ask You About NSLS
Fall 2020 invitations have gone out to eligible students to join BMCC's chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS). The college's NSLS chapter was inaugurated in 2018 and recognized with the Distinguished Chapter Award in 2020. Students who accept the nomination by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 21 — no exceptions — will complete a five-step leadership program to become inducted and enjoy a fully virtual NSLS experience. The one-time registration fee of $95 provides lifetime membership and benefits such as scholarships, professional communication training and more. For more information: NSLS@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC and Checker's Restaurants Partner to Give Students Free Fries and 20 Percent Discount
BMCC students, faculty and staff get a free small French Fry during September at any Checker's Restaurant citywide by showing their BMCC ID and scanning the barcode shown (limit one offer per person). Find the list of restaurants here. NOTE: The Checker's at 77 Chambers Street is also offering students an ongoing 20 percent discount off all purchases when they show their BMCC student ID.

Learn How BMCC Is Being Reimagined for Fall 2020
BMCC will follow CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines in the opening of campus buildings. To protect the health of the college community, the majority of BMCC classes will be delivered from a distance for the Fall 2020 semester. Learn more about how BMCC is being reimagined.

"ID: Formations of the Self" Opens September 16 at Shirley Fiterman Art Center
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center at BMCC will present a unique exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," September 16 through January 15. Responding to the age of COVID, the artwork will be viewed through the exterior storefront windows of Fiterman Hall. Shown above: Athena LaTocha, "La Bajada Red" (Installation view), 2016-17, Sumi and walnut ink, La Bajada earth on paper, Image courtesy of artist.

Mail Art Project to Feature BMCC Artists
As part of its Mail Art Project, the Shirley Fiterman Art Center invited artists from the BMCC community to submit work using the U.S. Postal Service. The work will be posted online and shared on the Art Center’s social media accounts. Visit the Shirley Fiterman Art Center Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates. Select works from the submission will also be on display in gallery windows at 81 Barclay Street starting September 16.

What is BMCC Navigate? Check it out!
Faculty and staff, encourage students to download BMCC Navigate, an interactive tool that customizes information on financial aid, advisement, orientation, college deadlines. It also lets students set up reminders and a To-Do list for important tasks. They can download BMCC Navigate at the Apple App Store or Google Play, then use their CUNYfirst username and password to log in. With BMCC Navigate. To learn more, contact Niala Seetahal at (212) 776-6458 or nseetahal@bmcc.cuny.edu, or visit the BMCC Navigate website.

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

Learn More About BMCC’s Academic and Career Communities
Academic and Career Communities provide students with information on career pathways related to their academic and social interests. They also provide students with opportunities to engage with faculty, staff and peers along their educational journey. Hundreds of faculty, staff and students provided feedback to create the communities as part of BMCC’s Designing for Success strategic planning process.

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.

CUNY Revises Sexual Misconduct Policy
The revised CUNY policy on sexual misconduct defines sexual misconduct, explains the resources for those affected by sexual misconduct, and details CUNY’s procedures for investigating and adjudicating allegations of Sexual Misconduct. To review the policy, 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

Share With Students: 6 Sure-Fire Ways to Crush Your Fall Semester
Here are a few tips from the Admissions #FuturePanthers blog that you can share with students to foster a strong start this fall semester.

Virtual Admissions and Enrollment Services
Students who have general questions for Enrollment Services, who "don't know what to do next" or which office to visit, who need assistance registering for classes or completing their financial aid application can join our Drop-In Panther Station Room! Staff members will be available every weekday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last waiting room entrance is 5 p.m.) to meet with a staff member who will answer questions, provide resources and assist them in meeting one-on-one with a member of our How To Team. Please note that we will be utilizing the waiting room and will welcome 10 students at a time to ensure students receive individualized attention and have all their questions answered.

Virtual Chat with a Campus Tour Guide
While COVID-19 might prevent our traditional on-campus tours, college tour guides are available 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

Latino Power 100 includes political consultant and BMCC Professor Juan Carlos "J.C." Polanco
August 24, 2020 — City & State NY

BMCC Professor of Political Science Heather James analyzes Trump's comments about Kamala Harris
August 24, 2020 — The Hill

BMCC Professor of Criminal Justice Shenique S. Thomas-Davis says college leaders can help dismantle systemic racism
August 21, 2020 — Inside Higher Ed

Alumna Keita Annie White Foster advises mental health professionals to develop an anti-racist lens
August 21, 2020 — allevents.in

Human Resources

BMCC Staff Required to Watch Return-to-Work Video
Before returning to campus, all staff must view a training video on Blackboard and each day before their shift, complete a health screening.

How to Receive Paychecks or Pay Stubs by Mail, or View Pay Stubs Online
To receive paychecks by mail, send several self-addressed, stamped envelopes to: Bursar-Payroll Distribution Unit,199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. To receive pay stubs by mail, send several self-addressed, stamped envelopes to: HR Pay-stub Distribution, 199 Chambers Street, NY, NY 10007. To view your pay stubs via NYCAPS, set-up your Employee Self-Service account.

Claim Paychecks Before They Expire
Employees who have not picked up paper paychecks issued from January through March are urged to email, as soon as possible, officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu, and have the checks mailed out before they expire.

Sign up for Direct Deposit or to Suspend Transit Benefit Deductions
It's easy! Complete the Direct Deposit form or Transit Benefit form and send to: officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu

Alumni and Donors

An Easy Way to Make a Positive Impact
Interested in helping BMCC with our mission but feel anxious about possibly outliving your assets? A simple way to ensure that 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 more 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.

Calendar

Career Development: Fall 2020 Virtual Career Fair Prep
September 2 and 9

Technology Courses Information Sessions
September 3

International Admissions Information Session for F-1 Students
September 9

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