Attending JMM Conference Ignites Students’ Passion for Exploring the Intersection of Mathematics and Technology
In early January, BMCC students, alumni and faculty presented their research projects at the 2024 Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in San Francisco. The trip was made possible by an NSF grant that funded a Summer 2023 research program where many of the presentations were developed. “Bringing community college students to academic conferences not only enhances their STEM research knowledge,” says Math Professor Yi Annie Han, Principal Investigator on the NSF grant. “It is also a great networking opportunity, and they meet STEM experts and peers from around the world.”
BMCC Professors Lead NSF-Funded Study in Retention of Math Majors
Two BMCC Mathematics Professors—Claire Wladis and Jason Samuels—are leading a five-year study that seeks to better understand why some community college students choose to enroll and then persist as math majors. Funded in 2023 by a $2.4 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, the study’s aim is to identify factors that influence student retention among two-year college math majors. The researchers hope to develop a model of retention in the two-year context that could inform efforts to further diversify the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) jobs pipeline.
 BMCC Hosts Spring 2024 Club Fair
The Office of Student Activities hosted the Spring 2024 Club Fair on February 14 in Richard Harris Terrace. The event offered students a chance to speak to club members and ask questions about club activities. Student clubs—which are a fun and vital part of the BMCC experience—meet on Wednesdays from 2 until 4 p.m. which is when no classes are scheduled. Learn more here about BMCC’s student clubs.
|
Love to Sing? Downtown Chorus Looking for New Voices
The BMCC Downtown Chorus is looking for new voices to join a friendly—and varied—core group of singers including BMCC students, faculty and staff as well as residents of neighboring communities. Singers of all experience levels and vocal ranges are welcome. The ability to read music is a plus but not a requirement, as is prior chorale experience. Please contact the chorus founder and artistic director, Music and Art Department Chair Eugenia Oi Yan Yau at (212) 776-7240 or eyau@bmcc.cuny.edu for an audition.
 |
Let Students Know: Writing Tutors Available February 20
BMCC English professors have volunteered their time and will be on hand to guide students in their writing during a drop-in session in the cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street on Tuesday, February 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Do You Know Anyone Interested in an OSHA Class? Registration Deadline Feb. 20
The BMCC/SUNY Manhattan Education Opportunity Center (MEOC) at 163 W. 125th Street, Room 1500.2 in Harlem is offering an OSHA class to start Monday, March 4. Eligible participants must be 18 years of age or older, currently live in New York State, have a High School Diploma or Equivalency (HSE), and can provide proof of income. The registration deadline is Tuesday, February 20. You can refer a student online, or they can reach out directly to Richard.Frias@man.eoc.cuny.edu, (212) 961-3224. The program offers training to qualify for OSHA30-Construction, 10-Hour Site Safety and Flagger Certification all at once. Students who complete the program are paired with an employment advisor that helps with job placement. The program will also be offered in April and May.
Join Opening Reception for Faculty Art Exhibition, “Drawing Alphabets,” February 21
On February 21, from 5 until 7 p.m., the Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) in BMCC’s Fiterman Hall, 81 Barclay Street entrance, will host an opening reception for “Drawing Alphabets,” an exhibition of original work by faculty in the Art Foundations programs and Media Arts and Technology Department. The exhibition will be available for viewing February 15 through March 23.
BMCC Grads Can Now Transfer to Morehouse College, a Top HBCU. Learn more at a Dinner and Discussion, Feb. 27
Through the BMCC/Morehouse College Partnership, outstanding male graduates of BMCC have the opportunity to transfer to Morehouse College, one of the nation’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). This all-male, liberal arts college in Atlanta is revered for academic excellence and producing leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students engage in rigorous studies led by distinguished faculty. The Morehouse experience fosters brotherhood and camaraderie, extending into a powerful alumni network. The BMCC/Morehouse partnership offers guaranteed admission, transferable credits, academic advisement, financial resources and more. Bring your students and learn more at a dinner and discussion on February 27 at 5 p.m. RSVP now.
Do Your Students Envision Careers in STEM? Encourage Them to Apply to Research Opportunities at BMCC
Students dedicated to a future in STEM thrive in internships and paid faculty-mentored research projects that speak to their values and vision. The BMCC Foundation Fund (BFF) Research Program is now accepting applications from international students. The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Research Program has a few spots for spring and summer, so please share this application link. The CUNY Research Foundation also offers a spring internship with Hudson River Park through this application. For more information on research opportunities at BMCC, email ooresearch@bmcc.cuny.edu and encourage your students to stay up-to-date through the BMCC Office of Research newsletter.
Addressing Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics, Such as Antisemitic or Islamophobic Harassment, in Schools: Feb. 27
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights will present a free Zoom training for students, staff and faculty on Tuesday, February 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Speakers Lauren Numeroff, David Krieger and Coleen Chin are senior attorneys with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, New York Regional office. The office investigates, mediates and resolves complaints alleging violations of federal civil rights laws, including those based on shared ancestry, by educational institutions that receive financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants close to the training date.
 |
Faculty, Staff and Students Encouraged to Learn How to Stop the Bleed
Life-threatening bleeding can happen any time or place to individuals injured in accidents or disasters. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to learn three potentially life-saving steps to stop dangerous bleeding at one of four classes offered by the BMCC Public Safety Department starting at 2 p.m. on March 6, 13, 20 or 27. The Stop the Bleed classes will take place at 199 Chambers Street in Room N-490. To learn more and register for a spot in a class, click here. |
 |
Save the Date: Social Justice Week Is March 19 – 21
BMCC students are keenly aware of social justice issues, and active in their communities to address them. Faculty are encouraged to add Social Justice Week to their syllabi and course schedules, and to encourage students to attend Social Justice Week events where they can share priorities, strategies and support. Hosted by the Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) Steering Committee, this year’s events will take place March 19 through March 21. The theme will be "Challenging Conversations: Building Pathways to Hope and Unity," and the events will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, student performances and film screenings that foster dialogue and connection. For more information, please contact rei@bmcc.cuny.edu. |
 |
Let Students Know: Free, Virtual Tax Assistance Is Available Through April 8
Staff from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will help currently enrolled BMCC students prepare and e-file their income tax returns in free, self-help Zoom sessions on February 26, March 4, 11, 18 and 25, and April 1 and 8. Sessions are from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. The students will need an active email account, photo ID, social security number, proof of income, information related to claimed credits, their 2022 tax return and banking information for direct deposit. For details and to register, students can visit here. |
Would Your Students Benefit From a Free Naturalization Clinic? Registration Deadline is April 11 for April 18 Workshop.
The BMCC Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC), the City Bar Justice Center and Fragomen, a law practice, will sponsor a free naturalization clinic on April 18 at 199 Chambers Street, Richard Harris Terrace, from 2 until 5 p.m. Students who are permanent residents can attend the clinic and work with a licensed attorney in completing their U.S. Citizenship Naturalization application. The registration deadline is April 11 for the April 18 workshop. To register, students can visit ARC at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230; email ARC@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8195.
Brightspace Launches Summer 2024. Here’s How Faculty Can Get Ready.
Starting with the Summer 2024 semester, Brightspace will replace Blackboard as BMCC’s learning management systems (LMS). Benefits to Brightspace include its ease of use on a phone or tablet. Besides being mobile-friendly, Brightspace prioritizes active and engaged learning, dynamic course design and use of collaborative tools. The first day of summer classes is May 28. As CUNY scheduling sometimes necessitates last-minute class assignments, all faculty are encouraged to prepare for the Brightspace transition. Here are four things you can do to hit the ground running in Summer 2024, with Brightspace as your LMS:
Learn more on the Brightspace Transition at BMCC website. Feel free to direct questions to lmstransition@bmcc.cuny.edu. |
BMCC Closed Monday, February 19
The College will be closed Monday, February 19 for President’s Day. View the CUNY Employee Holiday and Annual Leave Periods memo or the BMCC Academic Calendar for more information.
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, as well as full-time employees must complete both trainings by May 31.
- The state- and CUNY-mandated Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) is required for HR professionals and managers with at least one direct report. Full and part-time employees notified by email about GBVT must complete it by May 31.
Human Resources will host pre-recorded, two-hour ESPARC and WPV Zoom sessions. Visit here to view the dates through April 25. To schedule a Zoom training, contact Lori Mazzola at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu and include the training date and time you want to attend.
Mandatory Ethics Training Offered Via Zoom in February
Pursuant to state law, all New York State employees, including CUNY employees, must attend a live ethics training every two years. BMCC faculty and staff can complete the training via Zoom through February. Please sign up here.
Training Session 4: Wednesday, February 21 at 6 p.m.
Training Session 5: Thursday, February 29 at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Ms. Kathy Long, Office of the President, at klong@bmcc.cuny.edu.
Spring 2024 Adjuncts: Apply for Health Insurance by February 23
Teaching and non-teaching adjuncts can apply for health insurance. Visit the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund for details.
Teaching Adjuncts:
- Must have completed two consecutive semesters prior to this one,
- Must have at least six teaching hours per week in the current semester and maintain that all semester. (Notify the benefits officer on campus if you drop below the six hours and pick up additional hours at another CUNY campus.)
Non-Teaching Adjuncts:
- Must have completed two consecutive semesters prior to this one,
- Must have at least 15 non-teaching hours per week in the current semester and maintain that all semester.
Submit the application as a secure document (only include the last four social security numbers) to HR Benefits Manager Daniella Donald at ddonald@bmcc.cuny.edu. Ms. Donald will confirm eligibility and forward the application to staff in the University Benefits Adjunct Office, UniversityBenefitsAdjuncts@CUNY.edu, who will correspond with you directly.
|
