Putting the Power of Plants to the Test
Working closely with Science Professor Adolfina Koroch, four BMCC science majors are investigating the health potential of plants used to treat illness, in their countries of origin.

CUNY in the Heights Expansion Scheduled Starting in January 2020, BMCC at CUNY in the Heights, located at 5030 Broadway between 213th and 214th  Streets in Manhattan, will be closed for renovation in order to improve its facilities and learning environment. The renovation will include improvements to classroom spaces, technology and accessibility for students of all levels. Other enhancements will include new course offerings through BMCC, the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center, BMCC’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. The expansion of this facility will add 15,000 square feet of space, which will double the number of existing classrooms and triple the number of available classroom seats. In the meantime, please visit the BMCC Off-site Programs website to learn about course offerings at the Tribeca-Main Campus and Off-site Programs. Students are encouraged to speak with an advisor to learn more about their options at (212) 220-8315 or eadvisement@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Named to Top 150 Colleges Eligible for 2021 Aspen Prize BMCC has been named one of three community colleges in New York state, and one of 150 colleges nationwide to make the first round for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, awarded by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The Aspen Prize is the signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges in the United States. BMCC was selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges, using data on student outcomes in completion rates, employment rates and earnings, and equity.

BMCC Students Connect Theater Experience to Class
On November 3, Professor Lisa Rose (Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice) took 15 students from the HUM 411, Social Welfare Programs and Policies class and two Human Services alumni to see the Broadway show, "The Great Society," at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center. The play encapsulates Lyndon Baines Johnson's efforts to combat poverty nationwide as he was drawing the U.S. into the Vietnam war, and touches on many topcis the students cover in class. The theater outing was made possible by one of the producers, Marianne Mills, who generously underwrote the cost of the tickets. Professor Rose said the students were very engaged, and “Afterwards, one of them commented how seeing the play made what we discussed in class make so much sense!”

Richie Goods & the Goods Project Perform at BMCC TPAC The show is November 13 at 7:30 p.m. Jazz/rock/funk musician Richie Goods has recorded and toured with jazz greats including the Manhattan Transfer, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera and more. BMCC faculty and staff tickets are $25; general admission is $35. Call (212) 220-1460 or visit the BMCC TPAC box office at 199 Chambers Street for tickets. BMCC Students get in free; they must email marketing@tribecapac.org by November 12.

Walk With Me Event Raises Awareness for Domestic Violence
More than 100 BMCC students, faculty and staff participated in the annual silent march, Walk With Me, that raises awareness for domestic violence and shows support for survivors and victims. This event is part of BMCC's Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month. "Students who need help with domestic violence can come to the Women’s Resource Center, located at 199 Chambers Street in Room S-340, or call (212) 220-8185. We will refer them internally or externally for specific help such as housing, job searching or other areas," said Victoria Apostol-Marius, Program Coordinator, the BMCC Women's Resource Center.

BMCC Receives New Funding to Combat Food Insecurity BMCC has received more than $119,000 in funding from the New York City Council to further support students facing food insecurity issues and hunger. The funds, part of a larger allocation to the CUNY system, are being used to identify and provide nearly 300 BMCC students with up to $400 each in monthly food vouchers for an entire semester. Students eligible for the voucher program were selected earlier in the semester by CUNY.

BMCC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The BMCC Community is invited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from October 25 through December 4, on the BMCC campus. Events include: Library Book exhibit, film screenings, lectures and discussions. A closing ceremony with live music and lunch is scheduled from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., December 4, in Richard Harris Terrace. For more information email Professor Rosario Torres at rtorres@bmcc.cuny.edu.

SAVE THE DATE: CUNY Tuesday, December 3 BMCC is part of #CUNYTUESDAY, a 24-hour giving challenge on December 3 presented by The City University of New York. Donations can be made HERE to support student scholarships, the Sadie Bragg Memorial Fund and the Scott Anderson Memorial Fund. BMCC’s on-going fundraising efforts aim to improve the learning experience and support the success of all students. Faculty and staff members can also make donations through payroll deductions. For more information, call the Office of Development at (212) 220-8020.

Elevator Programming Changes at Fiterman Hall As part of the college's ongoing efforts to improve the BMCC experience and in response to occupant feedback, the Local Service Function in both elevator banks at Fiterman Hall has been activated as follows: Elevators on the Mid Rise Bank go to floors 5 thru 8. Elevators on the High Rise Bank go to floors 9 thru 12. For access to floors 2 thru 4 and lower level, the open stairs and escalators will get you there faster and keep you active. Elevator banks for people with disabilities will continue to be in service for all floors.

Dropbox Available Free for BMCC Students, Faculty and Staff CUNY is providing Dropbox and Dropbox Paper free of charge for all CUNY students, faculty and staff. Dropbox provides a tool to share files, collaborate and store work, while Dropbox Paper allows co-editing and creating task lists, timelines, image previews, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and PDFs within the same document in real-time. For more information, visit CUNY’s Dropbox website.

CUNY Student Technology Fee Policy and Procedures Online
The Student Technology Fee (“Tech Fee”) was created as a way to enhance technology available to students on CUNY campuses. Fees are collected from students to fund projects that have a “demonstrable affect” on the student body. Each campus has an advisory committee that consists of student, faculty and administrative staff representatives that recommends project approval. CUNY Technology Fee Policy and Procedures (updated as of September 2019) are available.

Petrie-Funded Tuition Waivers Available for Winter 2020 Semester
Degree-seeking students may be eligible to receive one of two tuition waivers for the Winter 2020 semester. The Petrie Completion Waiver offers $210 per credit for students enrolled in a course that meets the four or fewer credits they need to complete their associate degree. The Petrie STEM Waiver covers full tuition for students enrolled in a math, computer science, Introduction to Linguistics (LIN 101), Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100) or Introduction to Multimedia (MMP 100) course that counts toward their degree. PLEASE NOTE: Students must be an NYC resident and U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time the waiver is applied. To qualify, students must register for the Winter 2020 course no later than December 1. Funding is limited and waivers will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Waivers cover tuition but not fees and materials, such as textbooks. If students receive a waiver for a course they drop or fail to attend, the waiver may be revoked and they will be responsible for the tuition. Students who have questions can visit the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-108 or contact advisementandtransfer@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation Funds Student Emergency Grants The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation has provided funds to help students resolve short-term emergencies without interrupting their studies. Applicants for the Petrie Grant must demonstrate need, provide documentation and complete other requirements. While Petrie grants will not be given for tuition cost, college debts or legal representation, students are encouraged to visit the Single Stop office to discuss their concerns. To find out more, students may go online, visit the Single Stop Office at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230, or contact Maxine Hunter: (212) 220-8000, Ext. 7149 or mhunter@bmcc.cuny.edu.

A Message From the Office of Campus Planning and Facilities
To improve customer service, the Office of Campus Planning and Facilities is pleased to report the Archibus Work Order system, in operation since Summer 2019, has enabled campus departments to submit over 2,000 work orders in an efficient and productive manner.

Through the Archibus Work Order system, a designated individual submits work orders and tracks the progress and completion of the request. This is the most effective way to alert the Buildings and Grounds team to building deficiencies or operational improvements that could impact your ability to perform your job at BMCC. A Work Order can be used to report non-emergency building needs from custodial services to a light bulb that needs replacement or building equipment that is not operating properly. To report an emergency, please call (212) 220-8025 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. After business hours, please call Public Safety, (212) 220-8080. To report hazardous conditions after 5 p.m., please call the engineer on duty, (212) 220-8034.

Please identify who in your department has been designated as the Archibus Work Order liaison. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to email our Buildings and Grounds team which is leading the implementation effort and managing the system. They can be reached at b&g@bmcc.cuny.edu, subject line: “Archibus Work Order System.”

Is Your Department Interested in Hiring a Work-Study Student? Many BMCC students are employed part-time on campus through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program. This helps cover their educational expenses, removes the cost and time of commuting for an off-campus job and enables students to gain professional experience related to their field of interest. If your department is interested in hiring FWS students, please complete and return the FWS Rights & Responsibilities form. For more information, please contact Melissa Jardine, mjardine@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Free Courses Available to BMCC Community BMCC students, faculty and staff can access free courses through LinkedIn Learning. Through this online platform, industry experts provide courses on presentation skills, Adobe Creative Cloud and other topics. For instructions on how to sign in to LinkedIn Learning, contact Instructional Computer Services Manager Leticia Dinkins, (212) 220-1377, ldinkins@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Free Mindfulness Meditation Service The CUNY Office of Student Affairs has launched a partnership with The 10-Minute Mind, a free service that provides mindfulness meditation for students, faculty and staff. Research shows that taking a few minutes to pause, reflect and reset helps relieve stress, improves memory and more. To try The 10-Minute Mind, click here.

Faculty and Staff Now Have Access to Student Co-Curricular Transcripts
The Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT) is an official record of student participation and achievements outside the classroom while enrolled at BMCC. Co-curricular activities encourage life-long learning and active citizenship. Faculty and staff can view students’ unofficial CCTs and submit events or activities to be considered for placement on the CCT.

Plaza Reconstruction Project Update
As part of the Plaza Reconstruction project at BMCC, abatement of hazardous materials identified in the underlayment of the existing pavers will be performed during phases of the construction project. This activity, which began January 21, is regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which ensures the safe and proper removal and disposal of these materials. Abatement notifications posted on all building entrances are part of these requirements and are there to inform the occupants of these activities. The required notices are not meant to alarm building occupants, but to keep everyone informed that the work will be performed in a safe and regulated manner. We apologize for any inconvenience this construction may cause as we work to improve our facilities. For more information, contact Eric Lugo at elugo@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Bathroom Renovation Update: Phase 5
BMCC has undertaken a comprehensive 26-bathroom renovation project at the Chambers Street building. The project’s focus is to provide greater accessibility, ventilation and temperature control systems. Upgrades include new stalls, floors, fixtures, ceilings and lighting. Renovations have been completed in the north side bathrooms, and those in the south side will be finished in Fall 2019. BMCC has begun Phase 5 (final phase) of renovations, affecting the restrooms located on the far south end of 199 Chambers Street building, on all seven floors. For more information, contact Eric Lugo at elugo@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Enrollment Consistency Is Impacted by Whether Students Start in Fall, Summer or Spring
Freshmen who start in a summer semester have a higher percentage of consistent enrollment than freshmen who start in fall or spring. The graph above combines freshmen cohorts from 2014 to 2017, and shows that full-time freshmen who started enrollment in the summer had the highest percentage of consistent enrollment over four terms. For more information, read "Upshot: Enrollment Patterns and Outcomes," produced by the BMCC Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics.

Winter/Spring 2020 Advisement & Registration is Open
Students value the advice and support of BMCC faculty and staff. As trusted influencers, please encourage students to meet with their advisor to track their academic progress and set a plan for success. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisors before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit the Registrar’s Office in Room S-315. For more info, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 or call (212) 220-8315.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions for an overview of BMCC and the admissions and financial aid process. They can also take part in a Q & A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, check the Admissions website, or contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265.

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

A Few Important Dates
November 7: Student Faculty Evaluations available online
November 28 - 30: COLLEGE CLOSED. NO CLASSES.

CUNY to honor veterans; BMCC and other campus to hold events
November 5, 3019 — Campus News

BMCC Business Administration alumna named digital executive
November 4, 2019 — SF Gate

BMCC professor weighs in on new PSC CUNY contract
November 4, 2019 — The Chief Leader

Mandatory Workplace Violence Training Required for Full- and Part-Time Employees
In accordance with New York State Law, all part-time BMCC faculty and staff who have NOT completed Workplace Violence Training for the 2019-2020 academic year are required to do so by December 18, 2019; full-time employees by May 20, 2020. Provided by CUNY, the course is accessible via CUNY Blackboard. The training also covers workplace violence risk factors specific to BMCC in the Campus Specific Information Supplement, and employees are required to review those factors for each campus or CUNY location where they work. For more information, instructions on disabling pop-up blockers or if you are unable to complete this online training, please contact Maria Deckinger, mdeckinger@bmcc.cuny.edu, (212) 220-1496 or Lori Mazzola, lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu, (212) 776-7063. For general questions, contact ViolencePrevention.Training@cuny.edu.  

Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services for CUNY Employees The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services provides free drug and alcohol counseling for CUNY employees. To learn more, visit the Deer Oaks website and enter “CUNY” as the company code or call (855) 492-3633. The BMCC Office of Human Resources at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717 is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist employees in accessing drug or alcohol counseling services, whether through Deer Oaks, a union employee program or health plan.

Training Available to CUNY Faculty and Staff
The OHRM Professional Development and Learning Management Office, in collaboration with CIS Training and Microsoft Learning Consultants provides free trainings for Microsoft Office 365 for Education to CUNY faculty and staff. These live, WebEx trainings introduce MS Office 365 applications including OneDrive, Teams and OneNote—useful tools for team collaboration and project management. Users can attend most Wednesdays through December 11. To register, click here and login with your CUNYfirst credentials. If you have questions, please contact CISTraining@cuny.edu or University.Training@cuny.edu.

Free Help Available to Quit Smoking CUNY employees and household members can enroll in the Employee Smoking Cessation Program (ESCAPE) for free, confidential counseling and smoking cessation medications. Download the free NYC HelpMeQuit mobile app. Learn more here. Call (347) 396-4403 to enroll.

Deer Oaks EAP Offers Phone and Video Counseling
As part of BMCC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Deer Oaks offers organizational training, skills development, crisis management, wellness workshops and other services including video, structured telephonic and in-person counseling. Employees can schedule calls with a counselor in advance by calling (855) 492-3633 or emailing eap@deeroaks.com.

Charitable Giving Through an IRA
Donors at least 70½ years old can take advantage of a simple way to satisfy minimum required distribution and benefit BMCC students at the same time. Donate up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to the BMCC Foundation without having to pay federal income taxes. Please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu for additional information.

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. 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

Make a Difference in Students’ Lives: Faculty and Staff Campaign
The faculty and staff of BMCC support our students in countless ways, every single day. That support includes contributing to the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Your support of the Faculty and Staff Campaign makes a significant difference in our students’ lives. There are three easy ways to give: Make a donation online.

• Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
• Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F-1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department).

Admissions and Financial Aid Information Session
November 7

BMCC Learning Academy Information Session
November 8

Blood Drive: Help Save Lives November 11, 12

Career Development Workshop: Career Exploration
November 12

Workshop: Create or Update Your Faculty Page
November 12

Free Workshop: Introduction to Microsoft Publisher (Students Only)
November 14

	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

Soccer Season Comes to an End With a 2-0 Loss to Nassau C.C. in the 2019 Regiona XV Championship

BMCC Men's Basketball Edged 79-75 in Season Opener at Home

Women's Basketball Falls 63-53 in Season Opener at Home

NJCAA Region XV Championship Preview

Women's Basketball, Upcoming Games
November 16: BMCC vs. ASA College JV (New York, NY)

Men's Basketball, Upcoming Games
November 13: BMCC vs. Bunker Hill Community College (BMCC Gymnasium)

@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.