Walk With Me Founder Joins BMCC Community to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence
Former New York State Assembly Member Naomi Rivera joined more than 90 BMCC students, faculty and staff for the annual Walk With Me silent procession through BMCC's 199 Chambers Street campus on October 23. Rivera first introduced the statewide Walk With Me initiative in 2005, when she asked colleges and universities to participate and raise awareness about domestic violence. Organized by the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), the event included several student speakers as well as BMCC’s Interim President Karrin E. Wilks. “Students should feel free to reach out to the WRC, the Counseling Center, the Office of Compliance and Diversity, and Single Stop if they experience domestic violence or sexual assault and harassment,” said Apostol-Marius. Rivera says events like Walk With Me lend support to survivors and an opportunity for students to give voice to the issue. "Now more than ever, we need to join together and move the conversation beyond the shadows and talk about the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment,” said Rivera.​

Faculty Speaker Series “Significant Findings” opens October 25 The BMCC Office of Academic Affairs presents “Significant Findings,” a series of talks by BMCC faculty that covers publicly relevant research and scholarship. The first presentation features Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Professor Shirley Leyro discussing her research project, “CUNY American Dream Machine? Exploring Feelings of Belonging and Membership by CUNY Noncitizen Students.” The event is scheduled for October 25 at 7 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. For more information, contact Helene Bach, director of research, BMCC at hbach@bmcc.cuny.edu.

State Senator Visits BMCC Veterans Resource Center
New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh—who represents District 26, which includes the BMCC campus and lower Manhattan—met with BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks, talked with students and staff, and toured the college's new STEM labs and Veterans Resource Center, October 22.  

Join a Charrette and Let Your Views Be Part of the Conversation!
This semester the Equity and Inclusion Task Force will conduct a series of charrettes (focus groups) exploring faculty, staff and student perceptions about the extent to which BMCC is a welcoming, inclusive and equity-minded environment. All BMCC community members are invited to participate in one of these 45-minute sessions, which will take the form of charrettes, allowing for maximum participation in idea generation, without compromising the quality of the brainstorming. Click here to sign up. For more information, please contact Peter Hoontis, (212) 220-8218. For scheduling questions, contact Erika Carlson, (212) 776-6338.

Communication Studies Presents Panel on Women of Color in Media Careers
BMCC’s Communication Studies Program and the Communication Studies Club are sponsoring A Seat at the Table, a career panel discussion on November 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. This free event, open to BMCC students, faculty and staff, is presented in collaboration with Project V, a non-profit initiative whose mission is to create a talent network for women of color interested in pursuing careers in media. Refreshments will be served. Panelists include Sandra Okerulu, stylist and costume designer; Kesha Brown, founder of Brown Resumes, Inc.; Brandi Hunter, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications at the American Kennel Club; Charell Star, director of content and innovation at Essence Marketing; Alechia Reese, director of public relations and creative marketing at Powherful Foundation, and Jasmine Stein, director of brand strategy and creative services at WP_Narrative. For more information, contact Professor Tzu-Wen Vincent Cheng, (212) 220-8248.

Criminal Justice Career Information Session Scheduled BMCC is hosting a Criminal Justice Career Information Session and Panel Discussion, from 6 to 8 p.m., November 7, in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. This free event is open to all BMCC students who wish to speak with professionals who have worked in the criminal justice field, and is sponsored by the CUNY Justice Academy and A Title V Collaborative Grant. For more information, contact Professor Jason Ostrowe, jostrowe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Center for Ethnic Studies Invites Applications for Seminar: Deadline December 3
Full- or part-time faculty and staff—especially those in the Arts and STEM—are invited to submit an application now through December 3 at 5 p.m. to take part in a seminar series, Balancing the Curriculum Across Race, Gender, Class, Ethnicity, Sexuality, set for February 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8. Twelve to 15 participants will be selected to discuss poetry, fiction, history and critical analysis. All participants will receive copies of the books discussed, and faculty will receive a $500 stipend. For more information, contact Professors Kirsten Cole, kcole@bmcc.cuny.edu; Patricia Mathews, pmathews@bmcc.cuny.edu or Soniya Munshi, smunshi@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Happiness Expo Comes to BMCC on Nov. 7 The Counseling Center will be hosting our 3rd Annual Happiness Expo on Nov. 7, 2018 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. in the Richard Harris Terrace. The purpose of the event is increase student awareness of the Counseling Center and skills to help them manage challenging emotions. The event will feature activities promoting healthy living as well as mental health and wellness resources. We will be displaying specific themes of health and wellbeing with happiness stations demonstrating positive ways to practice them in daily living. There will also be a group mindfulness meditation session from 12:45-1:00 p.m., a salsa lesson, and a grand finale dance contest to end the event. Healthy snacks, valuable resources, and raffles with great prizes will be distributed throughout the event! For more information, call the Counseling Center at: (212) 220-8140.

Discounts Available to BMCC Community
BMCC faculty, staff and students receive discounts on a variety of goods and services. From food to car rentals, members of the BMCC community receive discounts from businesses including Best Buy, Apple, Enterprise Car Rental, Barnes and Noble and more.

Fun Walk Event October 31 On October 31 from 2 to 4 p.m., the BMCC community will participate in a Fall Run/Walk event. Participants will run/walk in Hudson Park from North Moore Street to Leroy Street and back. All participants will receive T-shirts to wear during the activity. To participate, please click onto the registration link below. Please note that the event may reach capacity, at which point there is a waitlist. To register, click here.

BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards: Nominations Open November 1
Show your appreciation for colleagues or fellow staff members who demonstrate, in their positions at BMCC, outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions—beyond what is normally expected of employees. Eligible staff levels include Civil Service series (including provisional), college assistants, Research Foundation employees, Gittleston (COA, CSA, CAA), and HEO title series. Submit no more than one nomination for each of the following categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Nominations open November 1.

Office of Public Safety Offers Resources and Services The Office of Public Safety ensures a safe, secure and comfortable learning environment at BMCC through resources including free C.P.R., A.E.D. and First Aid, and Campus-Community Emergency Response Training for faculty, staff and students. Public Safety also trains staff as campus fire wardens. Watch the video, Run. Hide. Fight.® to learn about surviving an active shooter event. To report a crime or emergency, call Public Safety at (212) 220-8080 or 911. Blue call boxes are located throughout the campus.

Guidelines for Posters and Flyers on Campus The Office of Public Affairs consults with BMCC departments, offices, faculty and staff to promote events and initiatives in an effective manner, reaching audiences on multiple platforms. Learn how to maximize college resources including the @BMCC e-newsletter, TV monitors, BMCC calendar and social media.

Bathroom Renovations in 199 Chambers Street Building BMCC has begun the next phase of its restroom renovation capital project at 199 Chambers Street. This project will provide greater accessibility and upgrades to restroom fixtures, stalls, floors, energy-saving LED ceiling lights, ventilation systems and temperature controls. Restrooms under renovation will reopen in early 2019. For more information, contact Facilities Management, (212) 220-8025.

Spring 2019 Registration Now Open
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for Spring 2019. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisors before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit the Registrar’s Office, Room S-315 at 199 Chambers Streetr. For more information, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 at 199 Chambers Street or call (212) 220-8315.

Admissions Fall 2018 Open House: October 27   
The BMCC Admissions Open House is two days away. Here’s 11 reasons you should invite a friend or family member to attend. Open House is on October 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Theater 2. RSVP online. For more info, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265.  

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions for an overview of BMCC and the admissions and financial aid process. They can also take part in a Q & A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, contact the Admissions Office, (212) 220-1265.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
The BMCC Admissions Office launched three new social media accounts. Stop by online and say hi! We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up.
Facebook: @bmccadmissions
Twitter: @bmccadmissions
Instagram: @bmccadmissions

Criminal Justice Professor Shirley Leyro’s class featured in CUNY TV Series Perspectives
October 25—CUNY TV

Modern Languages Professor Germán Garrido participates in panel discussion about Argentine author
October 24—NYU Press

Education Professor James Blake featured in article about homelessness in subway
October 22—New York Daily News

Health Benefits Transfer Period Extended to November 16
The Fall 2018 Health Benefits Program Transfer Period ends November 16. During this time, employees may transfer into any health plan for which they are eligible, add or drop the Optional Rider and add or drop dependents. Changes will take effect the first day of the first full payroll period in January 2019. Contact Human Resources for correct forms. Visit the New York City Office of Labor Relations - Health Benefits Website for plan summaries. For more information, please contact Diana Lopez, BMCC Human Resources, benefits manager.

Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Extended to November 16
The City of New York offers its employees a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program, through which they can deposit a portion of their pre-tax income into accounts maintained for certain health and dependent care expenses. The FSA open enrollment period is November 16, for an effective date of January 1, 2019. Forms are available on the OLR website. For more information, contact the NYC Office of Labor Relations.

Enhance Your Skills Through CUNY Professional Development 
The CUNY Professional Development and Learning Management (PDLM) Office presents the October 2018 through June 2019 CUNY Professional Development Program. BMCC faculty and staff can take part in innovative professional and training sessions in areas ranging from MS Excel to data analytics, conflict resolution, business writing and many others. Certificate programs are also available. View catalogue and sign up now.

Deer Oaks EAP Provides Free Health and Financial Resources 
The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BMCC employees, their dependents and household members are eligible to access services such as ​wellness support, workforce guidance and others at no cost​. Contact Deer Oaks EAP Services at (855) 492-3633, or ​eap@deeroaks.com. 

Health Benefits Seminars: Transitioning to Retirement 
Employees transitioning to retirement, as well as those remaining active are encouraged to sign up for seminars with the City of New York Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Health Benefits Program at 40 Rector Street, 3rd Floor, in lower Manhattan. You can also watch a brief, Part One and Part Two video series on how health insurance changes for retirees. 

Alumni Invited to Connect and Network BMCC Alumni Affairs provides alumni benefits and services, as well as involving alumni in the advancement and support of BMCC. Alumni are invited to special events, profiled in BMCC publications and welcomed into the vibrant community that is BMCC. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez, Manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, (212) 346-8455 or ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu

Make a Difference in Students’ Lives: Faculty and Staff Campaign
The faculty and staff of BMCC support our students in countless ways, every single day. That support includes contributing to the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Your support of the Faculty and Staff Campaign makes a significant difference in our students’ lives. There are three easy ways to give:

• Make a donation online.
• Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
• Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F-1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department).

BMCC Builds Momentum Heading into Playoffs 

Panthers Fall to Vikings in PK Shootout 

BMCC Beats KCC, Falls to CC in CUNYAC Championship 

2018 CUNYAC Championship/Pepsi Community College Women's Volleyball Championship Field Set 

Women's Basketball
Oct. 26: BMCC vs. York College (scrimmage) (Jamaica, NY)
Oct. 30: BMCC vs. ASA College, (scrimmage) (BMCC gymnasium)

Men's Basketball
Oct. 27: BMCC vs. York College (scrimmage) (Jamaica, NY)
Nov. 1: BMCC vs. ASA College (BMCC gymnasium)

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.