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Monthly Message

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A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS 

 

 

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September 14, 2020

Welcome Kingsborough Students!

It is my privilege to welcome you to the 2020-2021 academic year at Kingsborough Community College. While our classes are mostly online, my hope is that you are ready to embrace all the promise and potential this new year brings. The key to your transformative learning will not only take place inside our virtual classrooms, but outside through engaging virtual events with our various services and program and clubs and organizations. We, in Student Affairs, are excited to help you explore your passions and find your purpose. The Division of Student Affairs services, resources, and programs will remain available to our students via virtual platforms. Visit our STUDENT AFFAIRS site for more information.

I encourage you to stay engaged with your faculty, advisors, classmates, and friends. It is imperative that you utilize your KCC student email account to send and receive information from the college. Please check my weekly communication of news and updates sent to your KCC student email. News, updates, events, and programs can also be found on our STUDENT AFFAIRS WAVE WIRE located at the top of our website HERE

The overall safety, well-being, and success of our students is paramount and we look to connect you with the wide array of services, programming, and initiatives to support your educational journey here at KCC. It is also important to understand our expectations for all of our Kingsborough students. Please review the Community Standards, Henderson Rules, Academic Integrity and other Student Conduct documents HERE. The College remains committed to maintaining a drug free and smoke free environment, be mindful of the repercussions of violating any of the CUNY or Kingsborough policies.

In the approaching year, we will continue to establish our new “norms” and I ask that you move out of your comfort zone and challenge your own assumptions and thinking. Look for opportunities that will allow you to be life-long learners and foster your own personal and professional development. You will be challenged, more than ever, in your thinking, learning, and flexibility. Kingsborough’s dedicated faculty and staff will provide a solid foundation which you can build upon. Be certain Student Affairs will support your educational journey throughout your time here at Kingsborough. We also understand that online learning can be overwhelming, our Counseling and Wellness Centers are here to support.

Please be sure to download the CUNY Health Screening App HERE and review Campus Entry Guidelines HERE.

Lastly, I will be hosting a Drop-In with the Dean and Dialogue with the Dean through the semester. Please stop by and join in! We will continue to be in touch, whether it is a phone call, email, WebEX, or a Zoom session. We will continue to get through this together!  I look forward to a productive semester and please do not hesitate to contact me at brian.mitra@kbcc.cuny.edu or the Office of Student Affairs at student.affairs@kbcc.cuny.edu

Catch the Wave!!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian R. Mitra
Dean of Student Affairs


 

NEWS AND UPDATES  

  • Academic Affairs Updates
    • Academic Calendar Updates are listed HERE. This also includes updated changes to course withdrawals, etc.
    • Credit/No Credit Grading Option Policy information is listed HERE.
  • Laptops & iPad Devices

We are still receiving devices and will send and announcements will be made shortly. Please check your KCC student email for updates.

  • Email Scam

We are aware of an email scam that is taking place stating there are jobs available for our students. Please read my correspondence with steps in a previous message HERE.

 

EVENTS  

Counseling and Wellness Support Sessions 

Free Support Sessions for ALL Kingsborough Students during COVID-19 distant learning and physical/social isolation. These free sessions will provide safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for students to process the current health crisis and learn practical coping skills. During these sessions, students can share their experiences of distance learning and learn how to reduce distress and cope with their feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety. 

Realize Your Resilience at a Time of Uncertainly, Wednesday 4pm (stating April 15)

Get together and share your experiences of recent changes and what you are doing to adapt.   Learn/share coping skills and tools of practicing resiliency at a time of crisis.  Understanding your emotions/practicing self-care/understanding your why. 

Communicate and Connect support sessions on Thursdays 1pm (starting April 16)

Get together and share what is important to you now, what works already and what you want to work on.  Find support during this time of physical disconnect. 

Mindfulness Toolbox Support Sessions, Mondays 1pm(starting April 20)

Get together, share your experiences, and get practical tips and tools to support your whole self.  Learn and practice self-care through meditation, self-awareness and self-compassion.  

Stress Management support sessions for International Students and Recent Immigrants Tuesdays 10:30 (starting April 21)

Gather in the safe and supportive environment and connect with fellow students.  Realize that you are not alone in feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety.  Learn concrete coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety.   

To participate in these sessions: 

  1. RSVP to Counselingandhealth.Services@kbcc.cuny.edu from your KCC email.  Put RSVP in the subject line followed by the session number.  For example, if you are signing up for Monday 1 pm group please put RSVP1.   Group codes:   Monday 1 pm – RSVP1; Tuesday 10:30 am – RSVP2 ; Wednesday 4 pm – RSVP3 ; Thursday 1 pm – RSVP4
  2. Please include your CUNY Empl ID#.  We will send you Zoom link with meeting id and password. 
  3. Download Zoom app or open in your browser.  Sign in with your KBCC email and join the meeting.
  4. Enter meeting ID and password that was sent to you by Counselingandhealth.Services@kbcc.cuny.edu  You will use this info for each weekly session. 

Men’s Resource Center Drop-In Sessions  

The Men’s Resource Center will be hosting a series of virtual meet ups or students. Drop in and meet with the MRC staff and fellow students to touch base and check-in. All are welcomed.  

Wednesday, April 29

Wednesday, May 6

Wednesday, May 13

Wednesday, May 20

Wednesday, May 29 

All events will take place at 1 p.m. 

To RSVP and get access information. Please email Dr. Michael Rodriguez at Michael.rodriguez@kbcc.cuny.edu

 

Access Resource Center & New Americas Center

Access Resource Center and the New American Center continues to host virtual support services. Please email singlestop.kcc@kbcc.cuny.edu to make an appointment.

Financial Counseling:

  • Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm students can request a virtual counseling appointment

Legal Services:

  • Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm students can request legal services

Immigration Services:

  • Monday- Thursday 9am – 5pm students can contact New Americas Center for immigration services
  • Coming Soon: NAC information sessions ran bi-weekly on Thursdays

Access Resource Center Benefit Services:

  • Health Insurance Enrollment – Monday – Friday 9am -5pm (appointments)
  • Access Resource Center Information Session – Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm ( by request)
  • COVID-19 update sessions – Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm ( by request)
  • Coming soon: Access Resource Center Resource presentations

 

Office of Student Life 

Student life will continue to host a variety of workshops, this week series include: 

I Don't Know What To Do With Myself: Self-care During Challenging Times  

Date: Thursday, April 16 

Time: ​3:00 PM

Zoom Meeting ID: 544-589-700

Facilitator: Prickly Pear Therapy & Training

​Event Description: Grounded in culturally-responsive and trauma-informed care, the goal of this virtual session is to provide students with strategies on how to recognize their mental health needs and identify ways to prioritize their mental health while practicing physical distancing due to COVID-19.  Recommendations for managing stress given the complex circumstances and challenges that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided.

 

USS Scholarships Now Available 

The Fall 2020 USS Scholarship Application is now available for students to apply! During these challenging times, we have worked diligently to assure that CUNY students still have access to finding ways to fund their education. Please note ONLY ELIGIBLE STUDENTS will receive a notification in their CUNY First under the "To do tab". Students are required to upload documents through their CUNY First. 

Scholarship Open DateApril 13, 2020

Scholarship Closing Date: June 13, 2020 

Below are the initial requirements for each scholarship. If students do not have the required GPA or credit registration minimum, they WILL NOT receive a notification in their CUNY First. Eligible students will be able to view the requirements to apply for the scholarships in their CUNY First. 

Undergraduate students MUST be registered for at least  6 credits

Graduate students MUST be registered for at least  3 credits

Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship: Minimum 2.7 GPA 

Graduate Peer Mentoring Scholarship: Minimum  3.0 GPA

Donald & Mary Ellen Passantino International Student ScholarshipMinimum 2.5 GPA

Donald & Mary Ellen Passantino Student with Disabilities Scholarship:  Minimum 2.5 GPA

 

Recruitment Events and Opportunities

  • NYC Men Teach - Fall 2020 Recruitment is Open 

The following are the criteria:

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants typically meet the following criteria:

  • Interested in becoming a certified teacher in New York State
  • Academically qualified with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA 
  • Experience working/volunteering in urban communities
  • Committed to working/teaching in a New York City public school
  • Have nearly completed 24 credits toward an associate degree or 45 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, or be currently enrolled in a CUNY graduate teacher education program

Enrolled CUNY students who do not meet the full criteria should still apply, and may be accepted as a “pipeline” student with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.  Eligible? The Fall 2020 application is open, and the priority deadline is June 1, 2020.

https://nycmenteach.formstack.com/forms/nycmt_application_fall_2020

The final Fall deadline is September 2020

For more information contact the NYC Men Teach 
Program Manager, Eric Conte at Eric.Conte@kbcc.cuny.edu 

  • CUNY Tutor Corps is HIRING
    • Information Session will be THURSDAY, 4/23 at 2pm
    • For more information CLICK HERE 

 

CUNY Policy on Drugs and Alcohol

THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK POLICY ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

The City University of New York (“CUNY”) is an institution committed to promoting the physical, intellectual, and social development of all individuals. As such, CUNY seeks to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol, which can adversely impact performance and threaten the health and safety of students, employees, their families, and the general public. CUNY complies with all federal, state, and local laws concerning the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol.

Federal law requires that CUNY adopt and implement a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol by students and employees. As part of its program, CUNY has adopted this policy, which sets forth (1) the standards of conduct that students and employees are expected to follow; (2) CUNY sanctions for the violation of this policy; and (3) responsibilities of the CUNY colleges/units in enforcing this policy. CUNY’s policy also (1) sets forth the procedures for disseminating the policy, as well as information about the health risks of illegal drug and alcohol use, criminal sanctions for such use, and available counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation programs, to students and employees; and (2) requires each college to conduct a biennial review of drug and alcohol use and prevention on its campus.

This policy applies to all CUNY students, employees and visitors when they are on CUNY property, including CUNY residence halls, as well as when they are engaged in any CUNY-sponsored activities off campus.

CUNY STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of drugs or alcohol by anyone, on CUNY property (including CUNY residence halls), in CUNY buses or vans, or at CUNY-sponsored activities, is prohibited. In addition, CUNY employees are prohibited from illegally providing drugs or alcohol to CUNY students. Finally, no student may possess or consume alcoholic beverages in any CUNY residence hall, regardless of whether the student is of lawful age, except for students living in the Graduate School and University Center’s graduate housing facilities who may lawfully posses and consume alcoholic beverages. For purposes of this policy, a CUNY residence hall means a residence hall owned and/or operated by CUNY, or operated by a private management company on CUNY’s behalf.

In order to make informed choices about the use of drugs and alcohol, CUNY students and employees are expected to familiarize themselves with the information provided by CUNY about the physiological, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse.

CUNY SANCTIONS

Employees and students who violate this policy are subject to sanctions under University policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements, as described below. Employees and students should be aware that, in addition to these CUNY sanctions, the University will contact appropriate law enforcement agencies if they believe that a violation of the policy should also be treated as a criminal matter.

STUDENTS

Students are expected to comply with the CUNY and college policies with respect to drugs and alcohol. Any student found in violation may be subject to disciplinary action under Article 15 of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees, which may result in sanctions up to and including expulsion from the University.

In addition, any student who resides in a CUNY residence hall and who is found to have violated any CUNY or college policy with respect to drugs and alcohol may be subject to sanctions under the CUNY Residence Hall Disciplinary Procedures, up to and including expulsion from the residence hall.

In lieu of formal disciplinary action, CUNY may, in appropriate cases, seek to resolve the matter through an agreement pursuant to which the student must see a counselor or successfully participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program.

In accordance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), CUNY may also choose—when appropriate—to contact parents or legal guardians of students who have violated the CUNY policy on drugs and alcohol.

EMPLOYEES

Any employee found to have violated this CUNY policy may be subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the procedures set forth in applicable CUNY policies, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. Sanctions may include a reprimand, suspension without pay, or termination of employment. In lieu of formal disciplinary action, CUNY may, in appropriate cases, seek to resolve the matter through an agreement pursuant to which the employee must successfully participate in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CUNY COLLEGES/UNITS

Each college or unit of the University should make its best efforts to educate employees and students about this policy and the risks associated with the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol. The President of each college or unit may choose to ban alcohol at on-campus functions or at any particular function. This policy, together with information about the health risks of illegal drug and alcohol use, criminal sanctions for such use, and counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation programs available to employees or students, must be distributed annually to all employees and students. The Chief Student Affairs Officer shall be responsible for the distribution of this material to students, and the Director of Human Resources shall be responsible for the distribution of the material to employees.

The Vice President for Administration, or person performing the equivalent function at each college or unit of CUNY, shall be responsible for conducting a biennial review to determine the effectiveness of CUNY’s drug and alcohol program at its college or unit, and to ensure that sanctions for drug and alcohol violations are consistently enforced. Upon completion, the biennial review must be sent to the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer. This biennial review must include the number of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities that occur on the college’s campus or as part of the college’s activities, as well as the number and type of sanctions imposed as a result of drug and alcohol-related violations and fatalities that occur at the college as part of its activities.

Adopted by CUNY Board of Trustees: June 22, 2002 and amended on May 2, 2011 (BOT May 2, 2011 Calendar Minutes: Item # 5.A.).

 

 

 

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