@BMCC

December 17, 2020

BMCC Receives Transformative Gift of $30 Million from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
BMCC is thrilled to have been awarded $30 million, the college’s largest gift, by philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott. The gift will be used to establish the President’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation at BMCC and to support other initiatives identified by the College. “We are grateful for the transformational, life-changing gift that Ms. Scott has generously extended to us,” said BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe.

BMCC Celebrates Faculty Pedagogy with Distinguished Teaching Awards
This year the Distinguished Teaching Awards celebration, which is co-sponsored by BMCC’s Academic Senate, was broadcast through a Livestream on December 16 at 1 p.m. The 2020 winners are Cara O’Connor, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences; Kimora, adjunct professor in Social Sciences; Joel Barker, Professor of Accounting, and Jae Ki Lee, Professor of Mathematics.

Flexible Grading Policy Has Been Extended for Fall 2020
As part of CUNY’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university has allowed all colleges to extend a version of the Spring 2020 COVID-19 Flexible Grading Policy-Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) for Fall 2020. After working with faculty, departmental chairs, staff and students across the college, BMCC has selected an option to best meet the needs of the college community. For full details, click here.

(L-R, Kaplan Scholars Quinland, Williams, Maroulis, Smith and Boadu)

BMCC Names Five Outstanding Kaplan Scholars
Five BMCC students—Engineering Science major Samuel Boadu, Business Administration major Sulay Restrepo Maroulis, History major Johann Smith, Computer Science major Chanthea Quinland and Liberal Arts major Jon Williams have been named this year’s Kaplan Scholars. This is the fourteenth year BMCC has been working with the Kaplan Educational Foundation to help underserved students transfer from associate degree programs to exceptional four-year colleges.

NEH Awards $150K for Interdisciplinary Course Modules Focused on Poverty
BMCC and the CUNY Research Foundation have been awarded $150,000 by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to fund a three-year project, “Voices and Experiences of Poverty: A New Interdisciplinary Humanities Curriculum.” The project will create interdisciplinary course modules and curricular materials examining poverty, and its co-directors are Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Professors Christine Farias, Cara O’Connor and Jamie Warren, as well as Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Chairperson Sangeeta Bishop (pictured here) and Business Management Chairperson Mahatapa Palit.

Jason W. Ostrowe Wins Award from Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Criminal Justice Professor Jason W. Ostrowe has received the 2021 Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). A virtual award ceremony will be held in April 2021. “While the annual meeting will be virtual, it by no means lessens the enormous dedication you have shown to your students and our discipline,” writes Judith Harris, on behalf of the ACJS Awards Subcommittee. “The subcommittee was impressed with the use of experiential learning in a policing class. You provided us with a concrete roadmap in teaching students about the assumptions and realities of being a police officer in today's climate.”

Announcements

Last Day to Borrow a Laptop or iPad is December 21: Distribution will Re-start January 4
Eligible BMCC students can borrow a laptop or iPad through December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BMCC gym, 100 North Moore Street. Distribution and returns of electronic devices will resume on Monday January 4. At this time, the service will only be on Mondays and Thursdays. Students must apply and choose a day to pick up their device. For more information students can contact studentaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Learning Assistance Programs Offer Tutoring for Students
The BMCC Learning Resource Center (LRC), Writing Center, Reading Lab, Math Lab and English as a Second Language (ESL) Lab all provide services to strengthen students' academic skills. The Learning Assistance Programs website also provides virtual office hours through Zoom and links to online tutoring, academic coaching and more.

Application Period Now Open for NSF-REU Paid Research Internships
Qualified BMCC students can receive a stipend of $4,600 to take part in research on the bioactivity of natural products during the summer of 2021. The research is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at BMCC. Applications will be accepted now through March 1, 2021. For more information, visit the NSF-REU website.

Art Contest Winners Featured in Magazine.
The BMCC Photo Club has announced the 21 winners of the First Annual BMCC Art Contest and published a magazine featuring each of the student art projects. More than 105 students participated in the contest. For more information about the BMCC Photo Club, contact Club President Fernando Carvalho at photoclub1107@gmail.com.

Submit Your Ballot for the 2020-2021 Employee Appreciation Awards
BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement and creative contributions through their role at BMCC — beyond what is normally expected of employees. Submit one ballot with a detailed nomination in any or all categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 30, 2021.

Assistance with BMCC Virtual Events Available
Now that the college is closed to in-person events, Virtual Events, a multi-department group, is ready to assist with online event formats. Fill out the Virtual Event Request Form for the following:

Zoom Meetings (limit 300 people), enable polling, breakout rooms and the ability for everyone to see and be seen by others.
Zoom Webinars (limit 1,000 people), provide a more controlled interface. Panelists and hosts are the only viewable groups and can speak by default.
Livestreams, set up with the approval of the Media Center, enable pre-recorded or live video presentations at the college-wide level.

Campus Work Space Available for Adjunct Faculty
Computer stations can be reserved in four-hour blocks by BMCC adjunct faculty in the Murray Street building, Room M-310, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 1 to 4 p.m., once every two weeks.

Let Your Students Know: Quiet Study Space Is Available on Campus
Students can study and access printing and scanning services by reserving a single-seat study space on the second floor of the Murray Building at 70 Murray Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students must bring a photo ID with them and complete the daily health screening each day they visit campus. They can reserve a study time here.

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

Campus Reopening: Stages on Pause
The BMCC campus is reopening in phases approved by CUNY and the State of New York. In addition, the Campus Reopening Committee, Coronavirus Liaisons and senior administration has paused Stages 3 and 4 of the Reopening and Operations plan. This will reduce the number of people entering campus buildings and protect the buildings’ current occupants. It will not impact on-site delivery of instruction. Faculty requests for building access critical to the remote learning function will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more COVID-related updates.

BMCC Campus Operations During Holiday Break
To protect the BMCC community and essential staff as the rate of positive COVID-19 cases rises in New York City, the Campus Reopening Committee, Coronavirus Liaisons and senior administrators have set the following adjustments:

Quiet Study and Computer Lab reservations at Murray will be paused on Monday, December 21 and reactivated on Monday, January 4.
The BMCC Campus will be closed to the general public on Saturday, December 26 and Saturday, January 2.

These adjustments will not likely impact instructional or administrative functions, as they occur during holiday break. Urgent faculty requests for building access critical to the remote learning function will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the Reimagining BMCC website for more information.

Daily Everbridge Wellness Screening Mandatory for Faculty, Students, Visitors and Staff
Students, faculty, staff and visitors must complete a daily health screening each time they visit BMCC. They can do by using the Everbridge App or the Everbridge Email Option. Students, faculty and staff can use this Instructional Guide and visitors can use this Visitor's Guide. The CUNY FAQ guide is also helpful. Based on answers to the screening's five questions, users receive immediate phone or email clearance to enter BMCC. Employees not cleared to enter must provide medical clearance to HR before returning to campus. To find a testing site, text COVID TEST to 855-48. After entering your zip code, a list of testing sites will be provided.

Have You Traveled Outside New York Recently? New Everbridge Guidelines Apply.
The Everbridge COVID screening has been modified in response to New York travel guidelines.

If you have traveled to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont during the past seven days, answer “No” to the Everbridge app question, “Have you traveled outside of New York State or traveled internationally during the past seven days?”
If you have traveled to a state other than Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont in the last seven days, or if you have traveled internationally, you must answer “Yes” to that question.

Resilience, Health and Wellness: A Comprehensive Website Supports the BMCC Community
Whether focusing on fitness or finding support in a time of crisis, the Resilience, Health and Wellness website provides resources and news for students, faculty and staff. As BMCC President Anthony Munroe puts it, “As a community, we need to reach out to each other, encourage each other to access the resources available to us. No one has to experience this time alone.”

Headed to the Murray Building? Please Follow These Safety Regulations

Elevator use is reserved for those with limited mobility.
If you are able, please use staircases to 2nd and 3rd floors.
Everyone must wear a face covering or mask that fully covers their mouth and nose, at all times.
Limit your movements to common areas en route to your destination in Murray.
If you experience flu-like symptoms prior to your visit, stay home and re-schedule your visit when it is safe to do so.
If you experience flu-like symptoms after your visit, communicate this to the college, so necessary precautions can be taken.
The Facilities team — with limited custodial staff — supports the campus community and keeps essential staff safe and healthy as they observe these regulations.

Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19 With These Simple Steps
Protect your health! To properly use a mask or face covering, follow the simple steps outlined in this video.

Learn How BMCC Is Being Reimagined for Fall 2020
To protect the health of the college community, BMCC will follow CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines to reopen campus buildings as the majority of Fall 2020 classes are delivered from a distance. Learn more here.

Enrollment

Winter/Spring 2021 Advisement and Registration is Open
Please encourage students to schedule a Zoom meeting with their advisor to discuss their academic progress and spring registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station Specialists on Zoom, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC Navigate Help Students Stay on Top of Important Tasks
Faculty and staff, encourage students to download BMCC Navigate, an interactive tool that customizes information for them on financial aid, lets them set up a To-Do list for time-sensitive tasks and more. They can download BMCC Navigate at the Apple App Store or Google Play, then use CUNYfirst to log in. To learn more, contact Niala Seetahal at (212) 776-6458 or nseetahal@bmcc.cuny.edu, or visit the BMCC Navigate website.

Virtual Admissions and Enrollment Services
Students can explore online the many resources BMCC has to offer, and they are welcome to reach out by email, phone or text. They can also join zoom sessions for more assistance:

ADMISSIONS. Students with questions including how to complete the BMCC application or apply as a readmit can zoom with an admissions specialist on Mondays at 10 a.m., Thursdays at 10 a.m. or Fridays at 2 p.m.
FINANCIAL AID. Students with questions including how to file a FASFA, loans and TAP can zoom with a financial aid specialist on Mondays at 2 p.m., Tuesdays at 2 p.m., Wednesdays at 10 a.m., or Fridays at 10 a.m.
REGISTRATION. Students with questions including how to register or change their class schedule can zoom with a registration specialist on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. or Thursdays at 2 p.m.

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Making Headlines

BMCC President Anthony Munroe discusses his emotional reaction to hearing news that the college was recipient of a $30 million gift from author MacKenzie Scott
December 16, 2020—The New York Times

BMCC receives $30 million grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
December 16-17, 2020—NBC 4, AM New York, Community College Daily, Inside Higher Ed, The Riverdale Press, The Independent, DYNZ, The Story Exchange, The College Post

Professor and Deputy Chair Karl Williams highlighted for upcoming appearance in Queer Narratives from the Jamaican Stage
December 16, 2020 — Broadway World

Public Affairs staff member Cody Lyon’s letter urges Americans to remain vigilant about COVID-19 over holidays
December 15, 2020—The New York Times

BMCC Center for Career Development and Director Christopher Thunberg featured in focus on virtual career services in the COVID era
December 14, 2020 — Community College Daily, American Association of Community Colleges

English Professor Cheryl Fish weighs in on WSJ op-ed about Dr. Jill Biden’s PhD
December 14, 2020—19thnews

Human Resources

The College will be closed on Thursday, December 24, 2020 and Friday, December 25, 2020 in observance of the Christmas Holiday.

Employee Payroll Distribution December 23
Employees who receive a paper paycheck, payroll distribution is December 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry. (To sign up for Direct Deposit, complete and send this Direct Deposit form to officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.)

Move More! Join an Online December Class in Toning, Zumba and More
WorkWell Digital provides online courses to help you stay centered, healthy and focused in times of isolation and working from home.

Reframe Your World and Live a More Positive Life
A free webinar, Reframing Your World, will help participants shift their perspective for a more positive life. Provided through the CUNY WorkLife Program provided by CCA@YourService, the webinar is available on demand at noon through January 19, 2021. Use the Company Code, CUNY.

Take the Let’s Talk Pledge
The Let’s Talk Pledge is part of Workwell NYC’s campaign to eliminate mental health stigma in the City of New York workforce by creating supportive workplaces and building resilience in employees. Take the pledge to make mental health a priority in the workplace, and speak out against mental health stigma.

WPV and ESPARC Training Mandatory for All Employees
Workplace Violence (WPV) and Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) trainings are available via CUNY Blackboard. First, review instructions on the Human Resources Training and Development webpage. Part-time employees must complete the training before the end of the current semester. Full-time employees must complete the training before July 30, 2021.

BMCC Brings Awareness to Domestic Violence Policy and Resources
BMCC and CUNY are committed to full compliance of laws governing domestic violence in the workplace, as well as promoting the health and safety of its employees and fighting to end domestic violence. Learn about CUNY’s policy here. If you need assistance or access to domestic violence resources, please contact the BMCC Office of Compliance and Diversity at (212) 220-1236.

Alumni and Donors

An Evening of Thanks: December 17
Donors are invited to a virtual Evening of Thanks on Thursday, December 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by Anthony E. Munroe, BMCC President, and Tony Portannese, Chair of the BMCC Foundation Board. To RSVP, email advancementevents@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8020.

Almost There! #CUNYTUESDAY Deadline is December 31
As of now, BMCC has raised $46,892 of its $50,000 goal for the annual #CUNYTUESDAY campaign fundraiser to help fight food insecurity among our students—and it's not too late for you to help. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately targeted our students' neighborhoods, causing loss of jobs and painful choices between rent, transportation and putting food on the table. Your contribution will ease a student's struggle and help continue their studies. You can also be a BMCC Champion, tapping into your network of friends and family to boost donations. To learn more, click here or contact Yaritza Gonzalez at ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu. Thank you for caring about our students, and contributing to their success.

Take Action Now on Charitable Deductions for Non-Itemizers
Rather than itemize their deductions, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to claim a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made in 2020. Only cash gifts are entitled to the $300 deduction. Gifts of stocks, clothes, vehicles and land are not eligible. Please donate to the BMCC Foundation via our secure website at Giving to BMCC Foundation. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

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