December 19, 2019 FacebookTwitterInstagram
@BMCC

News

Holiday Williams

John C. Williams, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Speaks at BMCC
New York Fed President John C. Williams gave a talk on monetary policy in the Fiterman Conference Center on December 13, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience of more than 170 BMCC community members and guests. Students asked about factors the Fed considers as it implements monetary policy, such as global warming; how interest rates are adjusted during a period of economic downturn, and more. The event followed the BMCC team's first place win in the final round of the Maiden Lane Division, College Fed Challenge 2019.

NSLS

BMCC NSLS Chapter Inducts 212 New Members
The BMCC chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) inducted 212 BMCC students as new members in its annual ceremony, December 12 in Theatre One at 199 Chambers Street. Opening remarks were delivered by Student Life Specialist for Peer Mentoring and Success Denise DellaPorta and Assistant Director of Student Activities and Civic Engagement Kayla Maryles. The 2019 keynote speaker was BMCC Vice President for Student Affairs Marva Craig. Newly inducted NSLS members take an oath to strive for academic excellence, participate in community service and grow professionally, among other commitments.

UN

Students Attend International Human Rights Day Events at UN
On December 10, Introduction to Politics (POL 110) students led by Professor Oluremi Alapo in the Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department took part in International Human Rights Day at the United Nations on Manhattan's east side. They toured the UN grounds then attended a human rights conference held at the Millemmium UN Hotel, where Alapo delivered remarks on gender equality and movements against gender-based violence. "It was a good learning experience for our students as they observed, listened to and networked with UN representatives and Civil Society leaders whose work focuses on human rights at all levels," Alapo said, adding that several students were invited to participate in Model United Nations (MUN) in January and the UN Youth Assembly in Spring 2020. Alapo was also recognized at the event by the International Human Rights Commission led by H.E. Ambassador Malik Nadeem Abid as one of the 100 Human Rights Defenders recommended by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the IHRC, H.E Ambassador Foday Mansaray.

Mural

BMCC Students Paint Murals at Tribeca Restaurant
BMCC students Myles Facey and MJ Cima, as well as alumni Joao Alexandre (now at SUNY Purchase) and Moneé Lauderdale (now at City College), were enlisted to paint colorful murals in Healthy Joes, a recently opened fast-casual restaurant from Muscle Maker Inc. and located near the BMCC campus. A Muscle Maker press release says the murals as “provide a bright and inviting space for guests to dine for lunch or dinner.” Art Professor Jessica Ramirez supervised the student artists, who had free range with the concept and design of their murals. Opportunities such as this “expose students to different kinds of creative opportunities outside the classroom setting, including the process of planning, budget considerations, deadlines and final execution,” Ramirez said. 

BMCC Students Selected as Finalists for Vanguard Award
Congratulations to BMCC students John Lanza Jr. and Melissa Sanchez for being selected as finalists for the 2019-2020 Vanguard Award. Both finalists have been asked to complete an essay about the importance of nontraditional careers, and why they have chosen to pursue a nontraditional career. The Vanguard Awards recognize outstanding post-secondary level students who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare them for careers that are non-traditional for their gender. Lanza and Sanchez were among the 16 finalists have been selected from a pool of 57 nominees. Winners of the Vanguard Award will be announced on February 12, 2020.

CJ Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Names BMCC Criminal Justice Program as 2019 Program of the Year
The National Criminal Justice Month (NCJM) Committee of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) has named the BMCC Criminal Justice Program (of the BMCC Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department) as recipient of the 2019 Program of the Year Award. BMCC’s application for the award highlighted opportunities for students during National Criminal Justice Month, March 2019.

Announcements

CITH Submit your BALLOT for the 2019-2020 Employee Appreciation Awards
BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions through their role at BMCC, beyond what is normally expected of employees. SUBMIT ONE nomination in each category: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/ Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Employees have one chance to submit their ballot. Make it count by filling in a thoughtful, detailed nomination by no later than May 1.

Deadline January 15: Submit Papers for Transitions and Transactions Conference
Community college faculty are invited to submit paper and panel proposals by January 15, 2020 for the fifth annual Transitions and Transactions conference presented by the BMCC English Department. The 2020 conference, scheduled for April 24 and 25, presents the theme of “Teaching Literature Among the Arts,” raising critical questions and proposing creative ways of attending to aesthetic experience. For more information, click here.

Convocation

BMCC Winter Convocation: January 22
Faculty and staff are invited to to discuss teaching and learning in support of student success as they explore this year's theme for the Winter Convocation, Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Engagement. The day will open with coffee and check-in at 9:30 a.m. and feature keynote speaker David E. Kirkland, as well as Kirsten Grant who will address implicit bias. Working sessions will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by a reception. Please RSVP here.

Holiday Reminder: Acceptance of Gifts
CUNY staff and faculty are reminded not to solicit or accept gifts from any interested source; for example, vendors or students. Food or beverage items valued at $15 or less, and promotional items with no resale value such as calendars or pens, are not defined as gifts.

Research

BMCC Students Encouraged to Apply for NSF Research Opportunity
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at BMCC offers paid summer internships for qualified undergraduate students to conduct biology research projects with BMCC scientists. The program, funded by the NSF, offers BMCC and non-BMCC students the opportunity to conduct research focused on the bioactivity of natural products at different biological levels of organization; for example, the potential antioxidant capacity of natural plant products; the effects of natural extracts on growth and development of different organisms; the regulation of genes involved in cellular differentiation; the potential protective effects on mammalian cells, and the use of plant polymers in the removal of heavy metals. Students will receive a $4,600 stipend, a housing allowance of $1,200, a MetroCard and daily meals. APPLY NOW! Spaces are limited. Student applications are being accepted now through March 1, 2020.

abroad

Students Can Apply for Summer 2020 Study Abroad: Deadline February 18 
BMCC professors will take students to China, France, Mexico and Peru this summer through the BMCC Study Abroad program, open to students in all majors. The programs in China and France are language-based, while students traveling to Mexico and Peru examine cultural, health and political issues. To learn more, visit BMCC Study Abroad Courses. The BMCC Association Scholarship covers 60 percent of the program fee for every BMCC participant. Students may also use financial aid and apply for study abroad scholarships. The deadline for students to apply for the Summer 2020 Study Abroad program is February 18, and scholarship workshops for student applicants will be held in January and February by Experiential Learning and Study Abroad Manager Jessica Levin, jlevin@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 776-6429.

Website Directory Listings
Faculty, staff and students, please note that BMCC Directory content is generated through CUNYfirst. Staff members are listed according to divisions and departments defined by CUNY. If there is a change in an employee’s status (for example, left BMCC or changed departments), please contact BMCC Human Resources to confirm the information has been entered in CUNYfirst. If it has been entered in CUNYfirst and still is not appearing in the directory, contact the Service Desk, servicedesk@bmcc.cuny.edu.

CITH CUNY in the Heights Expansion Improves Learning Environment
Starting January 2020, BMCC at CUNY in the Heights, 5030 Broadway between 213th and 214th Streets in Manhattan, will be closed for renovations to improve classroom spaces, technology and accessibility for students while adding 15,000 square feet and doubling the number of classrooms. Also, new courses will be offered through BMCC, the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center and BMCC’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Visit the BMCC Off-site Programs website to learn about course offerings at the Tribeca-Main Campus and Off-site Programs. Students can speak with an advisor at (212) 220-8315 or eadvisement@bmcc.cuny.edu.
Workstudy 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 experience in 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, contact Melissa Jardine, mjardine@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Campus Planning and Facilities

Meditation Elevator Programming Changes at Fiterman Hall
To improve the BMCC experience and in response to occupant feedback, the Fiterman Hall elevator banks perform as follows:

Open stairs and escalators: lower level and floors 2, 3, 4.

Mid-Rise bank elevators: floors 5, 6, 7, 8.

High-Rise bank elevators: floors 9, 10, 11, 12.

Elevators for people with disabilities stop at all floors.

Report Non-Emergency Building Needs Through Archibus Work Order System
Individuals selected as their department's Archibus Work Order liaison can quickly alert the BMCC Buildings and Grounds team to non-emergency building needs ranging from a light bulb that needs replacement to equipment not functioning. To report an emergency, call (212) 220-8025, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and after business hours, call Public Safety, (212) 220-8080. To report hazardous conditions after 5 p.m., call the engineer on duty, (212) 220-8034. If you have questions or concerns, contact Buildings and Grounds, b&g@bmcc.cuny.edu, subject line: “Archibus Work Order System.”

Plaza Reconstruction Project Update
As part of the Plaza Reconstruction project at BMCC, abatement of hazardous materials in the underlayer of the existing pavers will be performed. This activity is regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which ensures safe and proper removal and disposal of these materials. Abatement notifications are posted on all building entrances. For more information, contact Eric Lugo at elugo@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Bathroom Bathroom Renovation Update: Phase 5
Renovations have been completed in the north side bathrooms at 199 Chambers Street and now BMCC has undertaken a 26-bathroom renovation on all seven floors of the far south end. This will provide greater accessibility, ventilation and temperature control systems as well as new stalls, floors, fixtures, ceilings and lighting. For more information, contact Eric Lugo at elugo@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Enrollment

Station

New Panther Station Hours
The Panther Station, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-225, has new hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Panther Station assists new and continuing students with admissions, financial aid and registrar-related inquiries and serves as a referral center for other college services. For more information, contact the Panther Station at (212) 220-8000 ext.7320 or station@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Registration

Winter/Spring 2020 Advisement & Registration is Open
Students value the advice and support of BMCC faculty and staff. Please encourage the students you work with, 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 advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit Lab Services at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-114. Students may also be advised online via Skype and email. For more information, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108, call (212) 220-8315 or email eadvisement@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Federal Student Aid and Other Financial Assistance Available
If you know a student who is delaying registration because of tuition concerns, please share these options: 1) Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply now to maximize the amount of money received; 2) Visit the Panther Station in Room S-225 to speak with a financial aid specialist; 3) Apply for a scholarship and 4) Contact the Center for Career Development for job placement assistance: 199 Chambers Street, Room S-342, career@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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

December 14-27: Grade Submission
December 24-25: COLLEGE CLOSED
December 27: Grade Submission Deadline
December 28: CUNYfirst Shutdown for Grade Submission
Dec. 31, Jan. 1: COLLEGE CLOSED

Making Headlines

ESL Professors Heather Finn and Sharon Avni discuss the future of ESL courses
December 17 — Inside Higher Ed

In press conference at BMCC, City Council Program announces food assistance funding for CUNY
December 16—Impacto Latino,  NY Daily NewsPoliticoAM New YorkBlack Star News,Univision

NY Fed CEO and President John C. Williams speaks at BMCC
December 13—ReutersCompuserveNasdaq

Human Resources

CUNY Holiday: December 24 and 25
Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 are a CUNY Holiday for most BMCC employees. For more information, click here.

ESparc CUNY Employees: Mandatory Annual E-SPARC for the 2019-2020 Academic Year
In compliance with New York State law, all full- and part-time CUNY employees are required to complete an annual online Employee Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (E-SPARC). If you have not already done so, please log into CUNY Blackboard to complete the course. This applies to all BMCC employees regardless of whether you have attended an in-person training. Please make sure to disable pop-up blockers and use either Firefox or Google Chrome as your web browser when taking the training. For more information, contact Maria Deckinger, mdeckinger@bmcc.cuny.edu or Loriann Mazzola, lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Transitioning to Retirement? Seminars and Videos Help Clarify Health Benefits
BMCC employees planning for retirement are invited to register online for a Transition to Retiree Health Benefits Seminar offered by the City of New York Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Employee Health Benefits Program on December 20 at 22 Cortlandt Street, 12th floor, New York, New York, 10007. Another resource is the Transitioning to Retiree Health Benefits videos, Part One and Part Two.

Violence CUNY Employees: Mandatory Workplace Violence Training Deadlines
In accordance with New York State Law, all part-time BMCC faculty and staff were required to complete Workplace Violence Training for the 2019-2020 academic year by December 18; full-time employees by May 20, 2020. The course is accessible via CUNY Blackboard. Employees are also required to review the Campus Specific Information Supplement for factors specific to each CUNY campus at which they work. For instructions on disabling pop-up blockers or if you are unable to complete this training, 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.  
Deer 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.

Alumni and Donors

Bragg, Anderson Support Memorial Funds 
Last academic year, BMCC lost two beloved colleagues — Sadie Bragg, previously the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Scott Anderson, Vice President for Administration and Finance. To commemorate their deep and passionate commitment to BMCC, we have established memorial funds to raise money in support of naming opportunities of areas located on the BMCC campus. Make a donation today online and select a memorial fund under the “Designation” option. THANK YOU for your support!

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 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).

Calendar

Women's Resource Center: Join us for Girls Talk
December 19

BMCC Learning Academy Information Session
December 20

Sign up Now for January 2020 Volunteer Tax-Preparer (VITA) Training
January 6

Personal Tour of BMCC Campus for Future Students
January 6

Panther Pride

Wins

Panthers End 2019 Portion of Schedule With Three Consecutive Wins

Men's Basketball Handles Bergen County Community College on the Road, 96-81, for Second Straight Win

Women's Basketball Falls on the Road, 66-33, at Bergen County Community College

Women's Basketball, Upcoming Games
January 14: BMCC vs. Kingsborough Community College (BMCC gym)
January 16: BMCC vs. Dutchess Community College (Poughkeepsie, NY)

Men's Basketball, Upcoming Games 
January 11: BMCC vs. ASA College (BMCC gym)
January 14: BMCC vs. Kingsborough Community College (BMCC gym)
January 16: BMCC vs. Dutchess Community College (Poughkeepsie, NY)

Connect with BMCC

Twitter Discussion Twitter Discussion
   
Facebook Discussion Facebook Discussion

@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.

Borough of Manhattan Community College
Office of Public Affairs
245 Greenwich Street
(212) 346-8501
The City University of New York