Dear BMCC Community,
The pandemic remains fluid, and as we continue to monitor developments carefully, we are emerging with great optimism and with determination to bring back life to our campus this Spring 2022. Our efforts are guided by the latest guidance offered by the City University of New York.
On January 5, 2022, CUNY Chancellor Felíx V. Matos Rodriguez shared information about “Testing, Vax & Return to Work Updates,” which offers some insight into the university-wide efforts that are being implemented to welcome students, faculty and staff back to CUNY campuses.
Recapturing the vibrancy of work and learning experiences on the BMCC campus is one of our goals to enhance our culture of care for students, faculty and staff. Engagement through higher levels of in-person instruction and campus activities will help us restore our campus and surrounding community.
On December 31, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a series of measures impacting CUNY and SUNY for the Spring semester, including:
- Students enrolled in in-person or hybrid classes for Spring 2022 will be required to get the booster shot as soon as they are eligible for it.
- All faculty will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and faculty who are vaccinated should upload proof of vaccination in CUNYfirst.
Note: We continue to wait for guidance from CUNY which will outline details of the faculty mandate policy, which requires approval by the CUNY Board of Trustees.
Get Vaxed, Get Tested!
Vaccines are required for all students taking in-person and hybrid courses. Any enrolled student who has not uploaded proof of vaccination documents to CUNYfirst by Jan. 18 will be de-registered from in-person and hybrid classes for non-compliance with the vaccination mandate. If students subsequently upload proof, they may register for courses up to the end of the add/drop period on Feb. 3.
At BMCC we continue to remind and encourage everyone to get vaccinated, get the booster and wear a mask (preferably, a cloth mask over a disposable one) properly. Remember: 1) Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask 2.) Use a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick. Additional guidance on how to select, properly wear, clean and store masks is also provided by the CDC and the NYC Department of Health.
The college remains vigilant by taking extraordinary steps to provide many layers of protection for our campus facilities which include improved indoor air quality, enhanced safety protocols and building operations (mandating masks, maximizing air circulation in shared spaces, keeping our campus spaces clean), monitoring and reporting positive cases, conducting random testing, and maximizing access to COVID vaccination and testing. BMCC students, faculty, staff, and all New Yorkers who need to get the vaccine, a booster, or a COVID-19 test, can go to these locations:
- BMCC Lower Manhattan: The NYC.gov vaccination mobile van is offering FREE vaccinations, boosters and testing at Fiterman Hall, January 11-13, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NO appointment necessary.
- CUNY in The Heights: A mobile vaccination van will also be available at the CUNY in The Heights location in Inwood on January 10-13 and January 18-20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering FREE vaccinations, boosters and testing. NO appointment necessary.
- Royal Pharmacy (in Inwood): BMCC is partnering with Royal Pharmacy, located at 5030 Broadway, to offer the Moderna vaccines and Moderna boosters; Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, contact Royal Pharmacy at (212) 567-9800.
Protecting Your Health and Wellness
BMCC and CUNY will begin following CDC’s recently issued guidance that adjusted the recommended quarantine and isolation times for people in close contact with someone who is positive or those who test positive. You can learn about CDC’s guidelines on quarantine and isolation here.
As we continue to monitor and navigate through this pandemic, remember to stay healthy by practicing positive self-care. BMCC students, faculty and staff can find a variety of resources and helpful information on the Resilience, Health and Wellness website.
We must work together to end this pandemic and bring back the energy and excitement of BMCC’s campus! #CantStopCUNY. Please visit the Reimagining BMCC website for further updates.
Stay healthy and take care.
Sincerely,
Anthony E. Munroe
President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
