Welcome to Fall 2018!

Students and Coaches in Panther Partners Come Together for a Day of Activities 
Panther Partners, a program created by New Student Programs and Student Affairs, matches BMCC students who are first in their family to attend college, with a Panther Partners Coach.​ On August 24, students and coaches met in the Fiterman Conference Center for a Panther Partners Program Orientation, and took part in group activities. BMCC faculty and staff who are interested in serving as a Panther Partners Coach may contact Rahana Belle-Jerome, New- and First-Year Student Programs Coordinator, (212) 220-8000, Ext. 7327, rbellejerome@bmcc.cuny.edu.     ​​

Erwin J. Wong to Serve as Acting Provost BMCC announces the appointment of Erwin J. Wong as Acting Provost. Wong has served as Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction at BMCC and in his new role, will focus on policy and academic programs aimed to improve student success. “I am very pleased and grateful that Erwin will be taking the role of Acting Provost. He has the experience and expertise needed, and he has demonstrated over many years his strong commitment to the BMCC mission and our students. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and the entire college community to improve student success and to make BMCC the very best college it can be," said Karrin E. Wilks, who will serve as BMCC's Interim President, as President Antonio Pérez steps down on August 31.

Upshot: BMCC Learning Academy Success Upshot, a series of reports featuring data about BMCC, is produced by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics​. The August 2018 Upshot features a report, "Improving Student Retention and Graduation," and focuses on the BMCC Learning Academy, which helps students transition smoothly from high school to college. Ultimately, the report says, the BLA improves retention and graduation rates; in fact, overall, enrollment in a success program such as BLA increases a students' chances of graduating by 20 percent. Read about this and other findings in the latest Upshot.

Free Film Retrospective, Leonard Bernstein: A Birthday Celebration  The BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (BMCC TPAC) opens Scenes Through the Cinema Lens with the first of four retrospective films, Leonard Bernstein: A Birthday Celebration on October 2 at 7:30 p.m. Located on BMCC's main campus, 199 Chambers Street in lower Manhattan, the BMCC TPAC Scenes Through a Cinema Lens series is hosted by Krin Gabbard, who teaches in the Jazz Studies program at Columbia University.

Office of Public Safety Offers Resources and Services
The Office of Public Safety ensure a safe, secure and comfortable learning environment at BMCC through services and resources including free C.P.R., A.E.D. and First Aid and Campus-Community Emergency Response Training for faculty, staff and students. Staff are also trained as campus fire wardens. Watch the video, Run. Hide. Fight.® to learn about surviving an active shooter event. To report a crime or emergency, call Public Safety at (212) 220-8080 or 911. Blue call boxes are located throughout the campus.

Guidelines for Posters and Flyers on Campus The Office of Public Affairs consults with BMCC departments, offices, faculty and staff to promote events and activities in an effective manner, reaching audiences on multiple platforms. Learn how to support your program or event by using college resources including the @BMCC e-newsletter, TV monitors, BMCC calendar and social media.

BMCC Students, Faculty and Staff Invited to Join LGBTQ Pride Month Planning Committee  October is LGBTQ Pride Month at BMCC, and students, faculty and staff are invited to join in the planning and presenting of events and workshops to enrich the BMCC community by first attending a meeting on September 5, 10:30 a.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Room N-453. Please RSVP here. Those unable to attend this meeting, but wish to participate, may contact Michael Hutmaker, Dean for Student Affairs,​ mhutmaker@bmcc.cuny.edu

Calling All Writers and Performers
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts (BMCC TPAC) is seeking a diverse community of writers and actors for the 2018 Writers in Performance—a 12-week writing and performance workshop culminating in a presentation on December 8. This free opportunity is open to BMCC students, faculty and staff, and welcomes all levels of experience. Please contact Mario Giacalone, mgiacalone@tribecapac.org from September 4 through 10, to schedule an audition on September 12 or 13.

Hispanic Heritage Month Proposals: Deadline September 20
November is Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) and this year's theme is "Creando Alianzas, Forging Futures." Please contact HHM Co-Chairs David Caideco (dcaidedo@bmcc.cuny.edu) and José Haro (jharo@bmcc.cuny.edu) for a proposal submission form, due September 20. Events could be academic (for example, a conference, symposium or guest talk); cultural (a dance performance, musical concert, poetry reading or art exhibition) or social (for example, an international dish tasting or zumba class).​

Call for Proposals: CUNY IT Conference BMCC faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals by September 17 at 5 p.m. to present at CUNY's 17th Annual IT Conference, Technology and Education: Challenges and Opportunities at John Jay College, CUNY, November 29 and 30.

There’s Still Time for Students to Register for Fall 2018 
Faculty and staff, please remind students to register for Fall 2018. Things to know: 1) September 2 is the last day to add/change a class. 2) All students must meet with an advisor before registering. 3) Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit the Registrar’s Office in Room S-315 at 199 Chambers Street. 4) Students interested in Saturday classes should consider the new Saturday Success Track. For more info, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 at 199 Chambers Street or call (212) 220-8315.

Strategies to Help Pay for College
If you know a current student who is delaying registration because of tuition cost concerns, please share these options: 1) Free application for Federal Student Aid. Students should apply now to get the highest amount of money available. Need help? Contact the BMCC Financial Aid Office at 199 Chambers Street, Room N-365; call (212) 220-1430 or email  finaid@bmcc.cuny.edu. 2) Set up a Nelnet payment plan. Call (888) 470-6014 or contact the Bursar's Office in Room S-330; bursar@bmcc.cuny.edu. 3) Contact the Center for Career Development for job placement assistance; Room S-342;career@bmcc.cuny.edu. 4) Apply for a scholarship.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions that provide an overview of BMCC, explain the admissions and financial aid process, and have a Q&A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265, or click here.​  

Playwright Antoinette Nwandu loosely bases characters on her former BMCC students
August 28—American Theatre​

Former BMCC basketball player Ralph Ayala owns team added to ABA roster
August 27—MarketScreener

BMCC, home to largest solar photovoltaic facility in NYC, highlighted in reference to New York Power Authority
July 31—Energy Manager Today

BMCC Will Be Closed on Monday, September 3 
In observance of Labor Day, Monday, September 3 is a scheduled holiday and excused without charge for 1) Instructional Staff in Non-teaching functions; 2) Civil Service employees: Clerical, Administrative, Professional, Custodial and Stores-Stock (Campus Security excused without charge subject to essential scheduling); 3) Skilled Trades, and 4) Career and Salary Plan Titles. Hourly employees will be paid for time worked only. For more information on holidays in the Fall 2018 semester, visit the BMCC Academic Calendar.  ​​

Join a BMCC Team in the StepTember Walking Challenge 
BMCC faculty and staff are invited to take part in Workwell's month-long, September challenge. Compete with teams across the city in the September Walking Challenge. Register now through September 7.   ​​

Sign Up for a Free Flu Shot​  
Workwell NYC is offering a free flu shot to BMCC faculty and staff at 19​9 Chambers Street, Room S-350 on September 13 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Schedule an appointment online, or call (866) 481-4391. For more information, contact Lori Ann Mazzola, BMCC Human Resources, (212) 776-7063.   ​​

August 31: Deadline for PSC Members to Switch Dental Plans 
Guardian Dental has upgraded its in-network benefits regarding dental implants, oral surgery, crowns and orthodontics. Professional Staff Congress (PSC) members can switch from DeltaCare USA HMO (Delta) to Guardian Dental now through August 31 by sending this change-of-enrollment form to Diana Lopez, Benefits Officer, Room S-717 at 199 Chambers Street, or faxing it to (212) 220-2364. More information is available online.​

Join Weight Watchers at BMCC Enroll online to join Weight Watchers at BMCC. Input the City of New York Employer ID: 11612222 and Employer Passcode: WW11612222. Once enrolled, redeem your Starter Kit online by October 5.

Deer Oaks EAP Provides Free Health and Financial Resources
The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BMCC employees, their dependents and household members are eligible to access services such as ​wellness support, workforce guidance and others at no cost​. Contact Deer Oaks EAP Services at (855) 492-3633, or eap@deeroaks.com.

Health Benefits Seminars: Transitioning to Retirement
Employees transitioning to retirement, as well as those remaining active are encouraged to sign up for seminars with the City of New York Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Health Benefits Program at 40 Rector Street, 3rd Floor, in lower Manhattan. You can also watch a brief, Part One and Part Two video series on how health insurance changes for retirees.

Alumni Invited to Connect and Network
BMCC Alumni Affairs provides alumni benefits and services, as well as involving alumni in the advancement and support of BMCC. Recent and earlier alumni are invited to special events, profiled in BMCC publications and welcomed into the vibrant community that is BMCC. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez, Manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, (212) 346-8455 or ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu

Art Exhibit Opening: Modes of Mapping
September 6

International Coffee Hour: Fall Welcome ​
September 6

	BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings		Center for Career Development Events
	Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Events		Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Events

Fall Baseball Tryouts  

BMCC Pool Now Open
BMCC students, faculty and staff with a current BMCC ID are welcome to use the fitness center, pool and other Athletic facilities at 199 Chambers Street.

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.