@BMCC

September 10, 2020

BMCC Receives $3 Million Conexiónes Title V Project Grant
BMCC has received a $3 million Conexiónes Title V Project Grant to increase engagement and provide Latino male and low-income students with a deeper connection to career interests. A key component of the initiative involves the use of Career Maps. “Receiving this grant is a testament to our mission of advancing our institution’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals,” said BMCC President Anthony Munroe.

Share Input for the Mellon-Funded Initiative for Black, Race and Ethnic Studies
The Mellon Foundation has given CUNY an historic gift of $10 million to drive change across 25 campuses and develop initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to intensify efforts to advance social and racial justice. One of these efforts is a $3 million initiative to reimagine CUNY programs in Black, race and ethnic studies. While the town hall on September 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. is full, faculty and staff are invited to submit questions or offer ideas at EthnicStudies@cuny.edu.

Join Voter Empowerment Workshop September 17
In honor of Constitution Day, BMCC Student Activities and the New York Public Interest Research Group Fund (NYPIRG) are hosting a Voter Empowerment Virtual Workshop from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 17. Register in advance for this workshop here: www.tinyurl.com/Sept17-Workshop. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the zoom information about joining the workshop. If you have questions about Voter Registration, students are invited to drop in for NYPIRG virtual office hours on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Fridays from 12 to 1 p.m. For updated information, follow the Office of Student Activities on Instagram, visit the BMCC Votes website and/or email OSA@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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.

Join Committee to Plan Women's Herstory Month 2021
BMCC celebrates Women’s Herstory Month (WHM) on March 2021. "We are looking for dedicated and eager recruits, with programming and planning experience, to be part of the WHM Committee, and to make WHM 2021 the best one yet! " said Vice President for Student Affairs Marva Craig. If you are interested in serving as a co-chair or committee member, view the committee timeline and submit the interest form.

The 2020 U.S. Census Deadline Is September 31
The September 31 deadline for completing the 2020 U.S. Census is fast approaching. The census questionnaire only takes about 10 minutes to complete. All information is safe, secure and confidential. New Yorkers' responses to the census helps direct billions of dollars in federal funds to our schools, roads and other public services. Results from the census will also be used to determine the number of seats New York has in congress. For more information, visit the CUNY census project website or fill out the census today.

"ID: Formations of the Self" Opens September 16 at Shirley Fiterman Art Center
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center at BMCC will present an exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," September 16 through January 15. 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.

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.

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

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.

Limited Building Access
The Office of Campus Planning and Facilities is unable to accommodate individual requests for Fiterman Hall or the Murray Building at this time.

The BMCC Campus Will Reopen in Phases
The BMCC campus is reopening in phases approved by CUNY and the State of New York. This plan is guided by reduced capacity (number of people on campus) in each phase and careful monitoring before increasing that capacity for the next phase. You can review the phases here. Phase 1 started August 26, with access to campus limited to students only. Phase 2A begins September 16 and adds a percentage of support programs staff. Phase 2B starts September 30 and adds a percentage of administration staff.

Before Returning to Campus: Complete the One-Time, COVID Return-to-Work Training
Before returning to campus, all staff and faculty must complete a COVID-19 return-to-work training on Blackboard, under the tab “My Organizations.” Be sure to take a screenshot of the completion certification before selecting "submit," and direct questions to Lori Mazzola in Human Resources at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Download the Daily Health Screening App, Complete it Each Day on Campus — and Wear a Mask
All faculty, staff, students and guests must complete a two-minute, COVID-19 Daily Health Screening before entering the BMCC campus. To do so, first download the Everbridge Health Screening Application. For instructions, click here. Also, when re-entering the campus don't forget your mask!

Enrollment

BMCC Alumni Stories: Nominate Your Former Student
Are your former students studying prestigious fields or enrolled at their "dream schools?" Are they establishing careers? We want to hear their story! As part of Admissions' digital recruiting efforts for Spring and Fall 2021, we are sharing BMCC alumni success stories on social media. We want to represent as many majors as possible — so make sure your department doesn't get left out! Nominate your former students for a profile on the new #FuturePanther Blog. Admissions Social Media Coordinator Olivia Harris will follow up to capture their tales.

Students Stay on Top of Important Deadlines and Tasks, Using BMCC Navigate
Encourage your students to download BMCC Navigate, an interactive tool that customizes information on financial aid, advisement, orientation, college deadlines and more. It also lets students set up 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. To learn more, contact Niala Seetahal at (212) 776-6458 or nseetahal@bmcc.cuny.edu, or visit the BMCC Navigate website.

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

Making Headlines

Because of COVID, BMCC student Jasmine Augustus loses her retail job — but perseveres with her studies
September 6, 2020 — Daily News

English Professor Syreeta McFadden examines where the Black Lives Matter movement is headed
September 3, 2020 — The Atlantic

Human Resources

Register by September 13 for STEPtember 2020
Join a month-long step challenge for City of New York employees. Register by September 13 to walk, run or roll through all five boroughs. Join scavenger hunts, explore new places and enjoy friendly competition, September 14 through October 14.

Stay Fit with Free Yoga, Pilates, Meditation Classes and More
BMCC faculty and staff are eligible to take free virtual fitness classes offered by WorkWell, through the City of New York. View the September Calendar and sign up today.

On-campus Payroll Distribution: September 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Please bring your own pen to sign the registry when you pick up your paper check at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway 2 South on Thursday, September 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. only.

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.

View Paystubs Electronically
BMCC employees can now view paystubs online at NYCAPS. To set up an account, go to Employee Self-Service account.

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 but concerned you might outlive your assets? A simple way to help ensure that we continue our life-changing work is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest. This written declaration earmarks a donation to BMCC Foundation and can indicate the purpose and use of your bequest; such as scholarships, food insecurity or general needs. For 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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