News

BMCC Veterans Resource Center Provides Resources and a Sense of Community
Theatre Arts major Charlie Mills, Liberal Arts major Nija DeVries and Accounting major Elizabeth Marrow arrived at BMCC from different places and backgrounds. But all three have something very significant in common. They are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and they have found a sense of community at the BMCC Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Veterans Day—the federal holiday honoring military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces—is November 11, and Wilfred Cotto, Student Life manager at the VRC encourages Americans to remember what the day is about.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Shares Foreign Relations Insights with BMCC Students
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Bill Russo met with a group of BMCC students and discussed his role at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Global Public Affairs. Assistant Secretary Russo also talked about the many approaches and considerations the State Department takes into account when engaging in diplomacy with foreign governments. Assistant Secretary Russo highlighted the top priorities of the State Department under the current administration and shared advice on career tracks in foreign service for interested students. The conversation was moderated by Daniel Katz, the inaugural Director of BMCC’s newly formed Office of Diplomatic Engagement and Training. The program was sponsored by the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning, Office of Student Activities, and the BMCC Civic Leadership Program. For more info contact Doug Israel, Director of Government and Community Relations at disrael@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students Apply Technology and Problem Solving to STEM Challenge Focused on Social Good
On November 4, BMCC's NSF-funded project, Bridging the Gap: BMCC Technology Learning Community hosted a STEM Innovation Challenge for Social Good in Richard Harris Terrace and Fiterman Hall. About 65 students in STEM and other majors formed 16 teams to brainstorm and apply technology to address topics including zero hunger and environmental sustainability, as well as areas that relate specifically to BMCC, such as diversity in STEM careers. Industry experts from Google and other companies mentored them in the process.

BMCC Panther Program Celebrates First Gen. College Day
The BMCC Panther Partners Program celebrated First Gen College Day on November 8 in the cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street. The event featured music, games, giveaways and more.  Read more about BMCC’s Panther Partners.

ARC Hosts Naturalization Clinic
The Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) hosted a free naturalization clinic for BMCC students who are permanent residents and are hoping to become naturalized U.S. citizens on November 8 in Richard Harris Terrace. Attorneys from the City Bar Justice Center and Fragomen were on hand to assist with the U.S. citizenship naturalization application process.

Making Headlines

BMCC named among 150 community colleges nationwide eligible to compete for the prestigious Aspen Prize
November 9, 2023—Black Star News 

Did You Know?

Announcements

Students Giving Voice to Poverty Conference November 10 in RHT BMCC faculty directors of the project “Voices & Experiences of Poverty: A New Interdisciplinary Humanities Curriculum” will host an in-person, one-day conference on November 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace. Students Giving Voice to Poverty  will be a student-centered event that explores how an important work of literature can inspire students’ insights and creative scholarship. The event is open to the entire CUNY community. Click here to register.

Brightspace Kick-Off Webinar for Faculty and Staff November 13
BMCC’s Brightspace transition team invites faculty and staff to an information webinar on November 13 starting at 1:30 p.m. BMCC is one of six CUNY campuses that comprise the first cohort of the LMS transition. All BMCC courses will be taught on Brightspace starting in Summer 2024.  The CUNY Brightspace team will join staff from D2L (the Brightspace parent company) at the webinar and answer questions about the transition from Blackboard to Brightspace. Register here for a Zoom link to the event. Visit the BMCC Brightspace transition team website. Email questions to lmstransition@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students Invited to Young Professionals STEM Gala November 14
The Office of Research in collaboration with UMLA, Conexiones and other campus groups are holding a Young Professionals STEM Gala on November 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace. A group of STEM professionals from various fields, including alumni from CUNY colleges, have been invited to speak about their career paths and current work. The goal of the event is to expose BMCC students who have an interest in STEM to a variety of careers and opportunities they can pursue upon completing their studies at BMCC. To RSVP, click here.

The Free Exchange of Ideas in the Era of Book Banning: A Conversation on Impacted Communities Nov. 14
The Queer Communities Faculty Interest Group (FIG) invites you to join them on November 14 at 4 p.m. for an in-person and virtual conversation about book banning and book challenges in the United States. Guest speakers include "New York Times"-bestselling author Eliot Schrefer and Melody Frese the Library Coordinator for Ladue School District, a suburban school district outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The in-person event will be held in Room 302 at the Murray Building or attend via Zoom by registering here.

Participate in Budgeting on Campus and Get Money for the Community
On November 15, from 4:15 to 6 p.m. in Fiterman Hall at the 14th floor conference room, students, faculty and staff are invited to brainstorm ideas for projects in the community that would be eligible for funding from New York City’s $5 million Participatory Budgeting fund. BMCC is partnering with the NYC Civic Engagement Commission to help guarantee ideas that will be funded through “The People’s Money.” Projects will then be developed into ballot proposals, which will be voted on by residents in each borough. Winning projects will be implemented starting in July of 2024. All students, staff and faculty who live in New York City are invited to participate. RSVP in advance and attend the full session and you will receive a $10 Target gift card, free dinner, and the chance to win two additional $50 gift cards. Please join us to have a say in how this money is spent. For more info contact Doug Israel, Director of Government and Community Relations at disrael@bmcc.cuny.edu.

National Apprenticeship Week: Recognizing Industry Partners for Providing Apprenticeship Opportunities Event on Nov. 16 
BMCC’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development will host an event recognizing its industry partners that provide apprenticeship opportunities to BMCC students on November 16 from 12 to 2 p.m. at 25 Broadway. Visit the event’s webpage here. Further questions? Contact Director of Internships Steven Nunez at snunez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Trainings on “Understanding Muslim Experiences and Combating Anti-Muslim Bias” and “Understanding Jewish Experiences and Antisemitism”: Virtual Sessions offered November 17 and November 28
The Office of Compliance and Diversity invites BMCC students, faculty and staff to attend two trainings presented by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

• A virtual session of “Understanding Muslim Experiences and Combating Anti-Muslim Bias” will be offered on November 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  
• A virtual session of “Understanding Jewish Experiences and Antisemitism” will be offered on November 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

The workshops will also elaborate on protections for Muslim and Jewish New Yorkers against discrimination under the City Human Rights Law. Please fill out this form to register for the trainings.

Visit The Clothesline Project, a Visual Display of Support for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, Nov. 1 - Dec. 2
Stop by the 3rd-floor hallway gallery near Room S-343 at 199 Chambers Street from November 1 through December 2 to view The Clothesline Project, a visual display that raises awareness of gender-based violence. Each shirt is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence. If you or a loved one is impacted by domestic violence, you can access support through the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Room S-340 at 199 Chambers Street, (212) 220-8166, and staff can connect you with on- and off-campus resources. The BMCC Counseling Center, Room S-343 at 199 Chambers Street, (212) 220-8140, also supports students who experience gender-based violence—which includes sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

Enrollment

Winter/Spring 2024 Advisement and Registration Is Open
Students rely on faculty and staff for support and information about the next steps in their education. Please encourage students to talk to their advisor to discuss their academic progress and registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station Specialist on Zoom. When choosing classes on CUNYfirst, students should pay close attention to the class meeting mode (in-person, online or hybrid), as well as the class session (15, 8 or 7 weeks). For more info, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Admissions In-Person Info Session at CUNY Welcome Center
Prospective students looking to further their education are invited to attend an Admissions In-Person Info Session on Wednesday, November 15 from 2:20 to 3:45 p.m. at the CUNY Welcome Center. Students will learn about academic and financial offerings, support programs, and the admissions process. They will also be able to get questions answered about admissions and financial aid. This is the perfect way to learn all you need to know about BMCC before applying. For more info, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu. Sign up today!

Experience BMCC: RSVP for In-Person or Virtual Tour
We invite prospective students and their families to experience the BMCC campus firsthand by attending our in-person and virtual campus tours. Students will have the opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities, learn about our diverse community and program offerings, as well as gain valuable insights into student life. For more info, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu. Reserve your spot today!

Join us at the Admissions Fall Open House - November 30
The Admissions staff is calling all future BMCC Panthers to step onto the main campus of 199 Chambers Street for a college experience at the Fall Open House on November 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. Prospective students and their families are welcome for a night full of activities, including a tour of our vibrant campus, information about financial resources and support programs, and a chance to chat with our dynamic faculty to explore possible major and career options. Faculty are invited to participate in the open house. This is a great opportunity to highlight your academic program and generate interest for enrollment. For more info, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu. Learn more.

Human Resources

BMCC Open Enrollment November 1-30 
BMCC’s Open Enrollment period is from November 1 through 30.  Enrollment forms are accepted through the Human Resources’ CUNYfirst secure document upload for the Open Enrollment/Annual Fall Transfer Period. Changes requested during the Open Enrollment/Transfer Period will be effective January 1, 2024 and the new payroll deduction, if applicable, will begin in January. 

Gender-Based Violence Training Joins ESPARC and WVP Mandated Trainings

• The state- and CUNY-mandated Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) and Workplace Violence Prevention Training (WVP) are available for the 2023-2024 academic year. All part-time employees, including adjuncts, must complete both trainings by the end of the current semester. Full-time employees have until May 31 to complete the trainings.
• The state- and CUNY-mandated Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) is required for HR professionals and managers with at least one direct report. Full-time employees notified by email about GBVT must complete it by May 31; part-time employees who are contacted have until the end of the current semester.

Sports and Wellness

BMCC Men’s Basketball Drops Season Opener on The Road to Middlesex County College

BMCC Men’s Basketball’s Ysaia Marte Receives CUNYAC Weekly Honorable Mention Honors

CUNYAC Community College Individual Champion Lea Reimer (pictured above, R) finished the 2023 New York City Marathon with a time of 3:50:19.

Calendar

Professional Development Conference for CUNY Staff
November 9 and 10

Veterans Resource Center: Marines Motto Run (meet at the Veterans Resource Center)
November 10

IHOPE Open House at Workforce 1
November 14

Fashion and Arts Schools for Transfer: Focus on Fashion
November 15

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