Dear BMCC Community,
At Borough of Manhattan Community College, we pride ourselves on being a safe haven for students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life. We are a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and experiences, a place where the richness of our differences fuels our pursuit of knowledge and growth. In light of recent antisemitic acts, I want to take this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the values that define us.
BMCC will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli sentiment, or hate and discrimination in any form. We are bound by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin. This includes actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, and citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity. This includes, but is not limited to, students of Arab, Hindu, Israeli, Jewish, Latino, Muslim, Palestinian, Sikh and/or South Asian descent, or any other faith or ancestry.
We stand united against hatred, bigotry, and intolerance in all their forms. We reject any notion that seeks to divide us based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. At BMCC, we believe in the dignity of every individual. Each of you deserves to feel safe, welcome, and respected on our campus.
At BMCC, we take our responsibility to maintaining a work and educational environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment very seriously. We encourage the reporting of complaints. Any member of our community with a complaint of unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, or retaliation, can report it directly on the University-Wide Discrimination and Retaliation Reporting Portal. This will generate a report to the Office of Compliance and Diversity. The Office of Compliance and Diversity can also be contacted with questions, concerns, or requests to file a complaint relating to unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sex-based harassment. Please contact Chief Diversity Officer Odelia Levy at OLevy@bmcc.cuny.edu with any questions.
We encourage our BMCC community to utilize campus support resources. Students who need support can stop by the Counseling Center in Room S-343 at 199 Chambers Street, call 212-220-8140 or contact the office via email.
Corporate Counseling Associates, Inc. (CCA) will provide counseling, consultation resources, and support services to all full-time and part-time employees and their family members. To access CCA, please visit: www.myccaonline.com (Company code: CUNY) or call toll free: 1-800-833-8707.
At BMCC, freedom of speech and our community’s First Amendment right of expression are cherished cornerstones of our college and throughout CUNY. Please review this brief introduction to free speech that includes what forms of expression are protected and which aren’t under this bedrock principle.
In addition to our First Amendment rights, we also endeavor to create environments in which people can voice their opinions and disagree but still respect each other. As such, we are bound by CUNY’s Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order,known as the Henderson Rules. These rules are in place to ensure the safe operation of our college and support an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility. All community members are encouraged to read the Henderson Rules and to be familiar with them. As explained in the Henderson Rules, it is prohibited for anyone to impede access to educational facilities or occupy them without authorization, which by extension prohibits attempts to erect encampments on CUNY premises.
CUNY and BMCC also employ guidelines for restrictions on the time, place, and manner of student assemblies. These guidelines are aimed at respecting students’ rights to free expression while ensuring a safe campus and uninterrupted college operations. This policy applies to all members of the BMCC community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
In accordance with CUNY’s Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order (the “Henderson Rules”) and consistent with the First Amendment, BMCC may impose content-neutral restrictions on time, place, and manner of speech and assembly so long as (1) the restrictions are necessary to fulfill a significant legitimate institutional purpose and (2) other avenues remain available for communicating the same message to the same audience. Some examples of restrictions include:
- Time: Events may be limited to certain times to prevent interference with academic or administrative activities or other scheduled activities.
- Place: Assemblies may be confined to specific areas on campus to avoid disrupting campus functions or avoid interference with campus traffic.
- Manner: Bullhorns and similar devices may be prohibited if such use would disrupt classes or administrative activities.
In addition to the aforementioned, the Henderson Rules expressly prohibit the following:
- Interference with the institution’s educational processes or facilities;
- Interference with the rights of those who wish to avail themselves of any of the institution’s instructional, personal, administrative, recreational, and community services;
- Failing to comply with lawful directions issued by their representatives of the University/College when they are acting in their official capacities;
- Unauthorized occupancy of College facilities or blocking access to or from such areas;
- Language or actions reasonably likely to provoke or encourage physical violence by demonstrators, those demonstrated against, or spectators;
- Disorderly or indecent conduct on College-owned or controlled property; and
- Dangerous instruments or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on an individual or damage upon a building or the grounds of the College.
Failure to comply with the College’s reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, or failure to comply with a directive to cease behavior in violation of those restrictions, may result in student disciplinary action under Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws. Employee violations may result in disciplinary action in accordance with applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Visitors who violate this policy may be removed from campus or face arrest.
We ask members of our college community to remain aware of our University’s ongoing commitment to accommodating religious observances and ensuring the necessary arrangements for our campus community. CUNY’S policies on religious accommodation allows for BMCC employees and students to request religious accommodations on the basis of religious belief.
As a frame of reference for anticipating campus community requests for religious accommodations, CUNY’s Interfaith Council has developed the following Religious & Ethnic Holidays Calendar, which serves as a helpful resource.
If you have any inquiries regarding CUNY’s policy on religious accommodations or wish to include additional observances, please feel free to contact Sophia McGee, Director of Intercultural Student Engagement and Dialogue, at sophia.mcgee@cuny.edu.
Should students have questions regarding religious accommodations on campus, they should contact Jonathan Rosser in Student Affairs at jrosser@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 220-8130. Staff and faculty should direct their inquiries to the Office Human Resources officeofhumanresources@bmcc.cuny.edu.
We must work together to foster an environment where everyone can thrive—where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and every voice is heard. We will not be silent in the face of discrimination or violence. We are taking additional steps to ensure that our campus remains a sanctuary for learning and growth. As we move forward, I encourage each of you to stand together and support one another. Engage in conversations that promote understanding and compassion. Advocate for those who may feel marginalized or threatened. Together, we can create a culture of inclusivity that reflects the best of who we are. Let us be a community that shines brightly against the darkness of hate. Let us be the embodiment of respect and equality for all. Remember, every action counts, and your voice matters. Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Together, we will continue to uphold our values and ensure that BMCC remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Sincerely,
Anthony E. Munroe
President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
