2020 Message Archive
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Thursday, June 4, 2020, and I want to update the campus community on our plans for re-opening. As you know, summer semester classes are being taught in a distance format and all but essential staff are continuing to work remotely as well.
New York City will begin Phase 1 of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “New York Forward” reopening plan on Monday, June 8. However, colleges are not part of that phase. Education is in the final Phase 4, and the governor has not announced when that phase may commence. Until Phase 4, access to the Brooklyn College campus will remain very limited. Nevertheless, we are busy planning for the future.
At the University, I chair the Open Campus subcommittee of the CUNY COVID-19 Reentry Task Force. We are working on guidance for all CUNY colleges as they develop reopening plans, including recommendations on enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, restructuring interior and exterior spaces, universal signage, and safety oversight.
At Brooklyn College, we are developing campus policies for reentry, once it is authorized. We have also developed a process for units of the College that wish to return to campus, including laboratory-based researchers, to prepare now by creating their own safety plans. That process requires formal review of safety plans by campus leadership to ensure a comprehensive and deliberative approach to reentry. Approved safety plans will be prioritized and sequenced and, as the campus reopens, assessed and revised before campus access expands. Provost Anne Lopes and Director of Environmental Health and Safety Carrie Sadovnik will communicate more about the process to faculty shortly.
In terms of whether the fall semester will be entirely online, we do not have a definitive answer at this time. As we receive additional information from CUNY and other authorities on the matter, we will update you.
Thank you, and take care.
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Thursday, May 28, 2020. Although we were slated to gather in person for commencement on this day, we watched a virtual celebration of the Class of 2020 instead. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in creating something beautiful for us to share. The themes of the ceremony included resilience and perseverance, and the music was especially moving.
To our newly minted graduates, congratulations on your achievement. I have deep respect for what you have accomplished under the most challenging circumstances. Today’s celebration marks the culmination of your education at Brooklyn College, but we will gather on campus together to celebrate you when it is safe to do so. We also look forward to your continued engagement with the College as a proud alum.
To our continuing students, this might be a good time to schedule an academic advisement session to help you select the best summer and fall classes to complete your degree. Our academic advisers have developed an even deeper commitment to our students right now. They can help you focus on achieving your academic goals.
Before you head into the weekend, I want to encourage you to enjoy the creativity of our outstanding art students and faculty. Our BFA Capstone Thesis Online Exhibit features some gorgeous work from our graduating students. Art Professor Derrick Adams has been commissioned to bring his artwork to a pediatric hospital in Harlem, and we are excited about that project. Professor Adams reflects on the importance of black radical joy, which is vital to the health of the black community, especially now.
Thank you all for the important work you do. I will write again on Monday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, May 22, 2020, and it is the last day of final exams. Yay! You made it to the end of the Spring 2020 semester!
Now it’s time to enjoy a three-day weekend. Then we gear up for next week’s celebration of the class of 2020. As you know, we cannot celebrate this outstanding graduating class in person--yet--but we still want to cheer them on. They earned their degrees in this most challenging semester, and it’s a special accomplishment.
We are launching a “Cheers to the Class of 2020” website, where our virtual graduation celebration will air on May 28th at 10 a.m. Next Thursday morning, you will get to hear from indigenous rights advocate and honorary degree recipient Sarah Deer, valedictorian Roby Daniel, and many more. The website features a Spotify playlist with music selected by the Class of 2020. If you are hosting a Zoom viewing party, we have virtual backgrounds of your favorite locations on campus. Use the hashtag #BCGrad2020 so we can share how you are celebrating the big day.
I hope you enjoy the long weekend. I’m looking forward to next week when we congratulate the Class of 2020.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Wednesday, May 20, 2020, and I’d like to share a story.
Shernidane Romelus was born in Haiti and was living in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010, when the country experienced a devastating 7.0 earthquake. The quake killed some 150,000 people and severely damaged or felled 300,000 buildings.
Shernidane blacked out as the quake actually hit. Luckily, her uncle grabbed her and pulled her to safety just before a building collapsed upon her. Three seconds later and she would have died. “It taught me how much human life is important,” she says. “I was very grateful to be alive.”
The water and sanitation systems were severely damaged by the earthquake, and ten months later, the country experienced an outbreak of cholera. As a high school student, Shernidane worked in community outreach, going house to house, teaching families how to prevent the disease by washing their hands and food, storing food correctly, and disposing of sewage properly. She trained people on how to remain safe if one of their family members got cholera. It was intense and important work, and she became committed to a future in public health.
In November 2014, Shernidane came to the United States. She made her way to the Borough of Manhattan Community College, transferred to Brooklyn College, and is now studying health and nutrition sciences with a concentration in public health. The current pandemic has only enhanced her desire to serve.
Shernidane has now volunteered with New York City to become a contact tracer for COVID-19. She feels passionate about the work. “I was glad to be able to slow spread of cholera in Haiti, and I want to do same with COVID,” she explains. She remembers when aid workers arrived after the quake: “They brought hope. I want to be the hope for others now. I want to tell people not to give up hope.”
Shernidane Romelus has three exams tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed for her, and for all of the students who are making their way through exams right now. It’s a long journey, no matter where you are from, to the hard work you are doing today. We are proud of you.
Keep hope alive!
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, May 18, 2020, and I hope you had a good weekend.
I’d like to address today’s letter to our continuing students. Now that this strange spring semester is coming to a close, it’s time to take a deep breath and consider what you will do with yourself while the COVID-19 lockdown continues.
You may be quarantining alone or in a crowded space. You may be caring for children or other family members. You may be putting in overtime as an essential worker, or you may be laid off. You probably miss your friends and wish life felt normal again. Whatever your situation, I want to urge you to use this time wisely and continue taking classes to complete your degree.
You know you’ll get through this semester, right? The Credit/No Credit Option will allow you to keep your strong grades, write off the weaker ones, and face the fall fresh. As I wrote in a letter last week, we may still be online next fall. I know that online classes can be a struggle. Faculty and students alike were thrown into distance education this semester, and the results were sometimes less than ideal. To improve on our end, we’re training our excellent faculty in best practices for remote education so we can deliver improved classes to you.
Please register for the fall semester today. An Academic Advisement appointment will help you select the right classes for you. If tuition is a challenge, please remember that you may be eligible for additional financial aid, and you can develop a payment plan through a Financial Aid appointment.
You can also get ahead in credits toward your degree by registering for the summer semester. Many students are eligible for financial aid this summer, so, again, please sign up for a Financial Aid appointment.
Whatever happens, let’s stay focused on the important goal of completing your degree and not allow quarantine to deter us from it.
Take good care.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, May 15, 2020, and I have a good story for you.
At the end of April, NYC Health + Hospitals Coney Island discharged its 500th COVID-19 patient with a grand celebration. That patient was Stuart Rosenhaus, the hospital’s associate director of emergency management, who happens also to teach a class on First Aid and Safety at Brooklyn College.
Prof. Rosenhaus actually held zoom classes during his two-week hospitalization for the virus. One of his students wrote, “I could tell that he was struggling and I even said that it was okay if he needed to end the session early, because he was coughing and had to take sips of water whilst lecturing from his hospital bed.”
The student continued, “Not only did he set up zoom sessions, but he forwarded slides and quizzes to us to give us the opportunity to make up missed classes. I must say that his dedication towards his students is a quality that many staff and administrators of Brooklyn College should be aware of, and I appreciate his diligence in taking responsibility for teaching.”
I called Prof. Rosenhaus today to thank him and to check up on how he is doing. He is getting better and continues to heal from home.
I asked what it was like to teach from a hospital room. “Well, it has better wifi than I do at home,” he quipped. Then he said, “The class has a huge hands-on component, so this was a rough transition. There is almost no way to teach virtual CPR. When we moved to distance learning, most of the remaining class sessions were skills sessions, so I had to redesign them to provide more didactic information.” He promised his students, though, that if campus opens up this summer he will return to help them obtain certifications in CPR.
Prof. Rosenhaus has been associated with the College since he was a student here in 1982. This semester, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. But he was shy about the fanfare.
When I asked if I could write about his story, he reluctantly agreed, but insisted that he didn’t do anything special. He wanted to keep it in perspective. “So many people are sick, hurt, and dying,” he said. As an essential worker in the hospital himself, he is very aware of the impact of the virus on families and the larger community.
We are grateful to Prof. Stuart Rosenhaus and to all the other Brooklyn College faculty who taught in quiet, challenging, and brave ways through this turbulent semester. Thank you for your hard work, and thank you for your commitment to teaching.
I hope you all have a nice weekend. I will write again next week.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2020, and I’d like to make two quick points:
1. Graduation
Now is graduating students’ last opportunity to submit their photographs for the virtual graduation celebration on May 28, 2020. No, it won’t be as good as being in person, but it will be special and fun nonetheless, and we want to see your beautiful face! Graduating students can submit a picture through the personalized link they received from Marching Order.
2. Credit/No Credit
As you know, students can choose to receive a grade of Credit or No Credit instead of a letter grade in any course they are taking this semester. Cr/NC grades will not affect GPAs. Students have repeatedly asked when and how to opt for Cr/NC. After students receive their letter grades on CUNYfirst, they may opt to change any of them to Cr/NC until June 25. They may change one, a few, or all grades to Cr/NC. If they are happy with their letter grades, they do not need to change anything. I hope the flexibility of this policy is clear. If you have any questions, please email flexgrades@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Take good care, and I will write again on Friday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, May 11, 2020, and we are now entering the homestretch of the spring semester. It’s the last week of classes, and you can do it!
I thought I’d take this opportunity to update you on Brooklyn College’s planning for the fall semester. As you know, our summer is set. Summer classes will all be delivered in remote format, and students should register for classes and use the time to get ahead in their credits. Our staff will continue working remotely, and student services will be fully accessible in remote format, except for our in-person Food Pantry.
But everyone is asking: Will fall classes be online or in person? At this point, we do not know.
Here’s what we do know. Our teaching modalities will have to align with Federal, New York State, and New York City plans, as well as guidance from relevant regulatory and accreditation bodies, including the U.S. Department of Education, NYSED, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Our plans for reopening will also have to conform to guidance from the CDC, OSHA, and the University.
At CUNY, Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez has established a Coronavirus Planning Task Force to provide policy and operational guidance, frameworks and protocols for the colleges as they prepare to reopen. The task force will address how CUNY’s physical campuses, including classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, and offices, can operate under social distancing rules and what safety equipment is needed to function. The Chancellor has also established an Academic and Student Support Task Force to explore the viability and desirability of instructional modes and support services, based on evolving public health conditions.
Here at Brooklyn College, we have shifted the COVID-19 Response Team we convened in early March toward planning for the future. Working closely with our Director of Environmental Health and Safety Carrie Sadovnik, our team is developing flexible plans based on various public health scenarios, including the possibility of a resurgence of the virus in the fall or winter. At this point, we anticipate a gradual and staggered return to campus when we are authorized to reopen, with certain areas and activities likely opening in advance of classrooms.
We are beginning to engage in risk assessments across the campus. Each area of operation will consider how it routinely operates (e.g., a computer lab with dozens of stations, or a machine shop with shared tools) and identifying the modifications needed to control the risk of exposure. We are also engaging in specific academic planning for laboratories, studios, and equipment distribution.
In addition to program- and office-specific control measures, we have convened a Reentry Task Force to ensure that our planning efforts are focused on safety and informed by public health. It will address our facilities’ needs, such as installing plastic barriers, removing high-touch, nonessential items, and continued proactive cleaning and disinfection. I know you want certainty, and this message has little of it. I promise to share definitive information about the fall as soon as we receive it. Please understand as we proceed: My highest priority will be the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty.
In the meantime, we must remain as flexible as possible and plan for various contingencies. Given these realities, we are offering excellent training and professional development opportunities for faculty in best practices in distance education so that our teaching through the summer and fall meets the highest standards of excellence faculty can attain in these uncertain times.
I hope you and your loved ones are well. I will write again later in the week.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, May 8, 2020.
Yesterday I hosted an Instagram Live chat with Natalia Guarin-Klein, Director of Magner Career Center. We discussed the services provided by the Center and answered students’ questions, a number of which I’ll highlight here:
How can I prepare to get a job in this weak economy?
Do not lose hope! The Magner Career Center is here to help. Check the Career Center website, which has links to job postings, career counseling, mock interviews, finding an internship, alumni mentoring, resume and cover letter feedback, events, and more!
Is the Magner Career Center available for remote counseling sessions?
Yes. Our career counselors are ready to help you with all your employment needs! Call 718.951.5696 or email careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Can I get a mentor from the Magner Career Center?
Yes! The Center will pair you with an alumni mentor in the field you want to enter. Brooklyn College has many alums who want to give back. They are eager to pass down industry knowledge to our students and help them secure their dream jobs.
I want to enroll in summer and fall classes, but I am concerned about tuition.
Our financial aid advisors also want to help! Call 718.951.5051 or make an appointment through FAST.
On Monday, I will send the community a longer update on Brooklyn College’s planning for the fall semester. Until then, have a good weekend.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Wednesday, May 6, 2020, and I want to send some love to the staff at Brooklyn College. Our staff members are committed to excellence and willing to think outside the box, a skill that became crucial as this semester turned upside down. With creativity and hard work, they are ensuring that the College thrives. THANK YOU TO OUR GREAT STAFF!
Let’s begin with Monica Rivera, our Director of Transfer Evaluation and Testing. Monica has worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition of transfer services for our students, and to streamline the process for faculty. She helped the registrar’s staff transition to a remote working environment while maintaining a student-centered focus. She has strong leadership skills and a never-ending commitment to the Brooklyn College community.
Let’s turn to Mike Gersher, who oversees the College’s Central Routing. When we pivoted to remote learning, he volunteered to drive into Manhattan himself to pick up computer devices for our loan program to students. He assists Mailing Services and goes to the Post Office so his fellow employees do not have to. He organizes all shipments received on campus and makes sure we continue our essential functions. He has a can-do attitude and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed.
Vanessa King is dedicated, knowledgeable, and hard working in ordinary times. During this crisis, she has been extraordinary. Working with professionals in the IT department and the faculty Chairs, she moved our confidential face-to-face system of voting for promotion and tenure to a confidential online system. She is now leading 22 departments through online elections this week to fill a variety of roles, from Chair to Faculty Council Delegates--a whopping 130 positions in total. Vanessa excels at innovative thinking, attention to detail, and patience.
Working with Salim Hasbini, our Marketing and Multimedia Specialist in the Office of Communications and Marketing, is just marvelous. He’s quiet and little known, but his work is visible everywhere. Those Instagram Live chats? Salim is responsible. Social media updates? He’s a key team player. For video panel discussions, online stories, and photography coordination, Salim is creative and ingenious in finding ways to make the College look good.
Finally, Moraima Smith has worked hard to manage the Student Emergency Grant Fund, which has seen a considerable increase in applications since the pandemic. As Assistant Dean in Student Affairs, she works with other departments to provide greatly needed assistance to students who have lost jobs, face food insecurity, or lack proper shelter. Her creativity has also provided support to students without the need for them to come to campus. (You can learn more about applying for Student Emergency Grants, and also donate to the fund.)
We are lucky to have these five folks on our team at Brooklyn College! But please know, each of them represents dozens of other staff members who work so hard--without fanfare--to support the College. The staff are wonderful, and we are blessed to have them. Please express your heartfelt gratitude to a Brooklyn College staff member this week!
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, May 4, 2020, and I hope you managed to enjoy some of the weekend. I’d like to share two bits of exciting news with you.
Brooklyn College Chemistry Prof. Guillermo Gerona-Navarro has won a $1.57 million award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for his promising research on gene repression in potential cancer therapies. Congratulations, Guillermo!
Gorgeous new laminated glass murals by Brooklyn College Art Prof. Derrick Adams are now featured at the Nostrand Avenue Long Island Rail Road Station. You can view the murals on the MTA arts and design website. Congratulations, Derrick!
In other news, I know many students are concerned about their employment prospects in the downturned economy as a result of the pandemic. This Thursday, I will be hosting an Instagram Live with Natalia Guarin-Klein, Director of Magner Career Center, at 12:30 p.m. We will discuss the services provided by the Center, remote internships, and developing a career in uncertain times.
I hope you have a good week, and I will write again on Wednesday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, May 1, 2020, and I hope you are well.
Yesterday I hosted an Instagram Live chat with Yasmin Ali, Executive Director of Student Financial Services. We had a great discussion about financial aid, the virtual graduation celebration, registering for summer, and the Credit/No Credit policy. I want to highlight a few of the questions we heard from students:
What is the deadline for participating in the Virtual Graduation Celebration?
Midnight tonight! Eligible students can register to participate through the email Marching Order sent them. If you are eligible and did not receive an email, please reach out to Student Affairs at commencement@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
How does the Credit/No Credit policy work?
After you receive your letter grades for spring classes, you have 20 days to choose, if you wish, to change one or more of them to Credit/No Credit in CUNYfirst. Please refer to the student information page and FAQ page, or email flexgrades@brooklyn.cuny.edu with questions.
How do I register for summer classes?
In CUNYfirst. Make an appointment with an academic advisor to help you select the classes best for you at CAASS@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Does financial aid cover summer session?
It may very well! Set up an appointment with your financial aid advisor through FAST on the BC Web portal to discuss your options.
Are there scholarships available for summer session?
Yes, but you need to act quickly. The Scholarship Office can assist you at scholarship@brooklyn.cuny.edu or 718.951.4796.
I want to conclude by sharing a beautiful rendition of “You'll Never Walk Alone” by a virtual choir of more than 300 vocalists and musicians from 15 countries, organized by Brooklyn College music student Harrison Sheckler. Enjoy three minutes of pure joy, and have a good weekend.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Wednesday, April 29, 2020. I have three quick notes for you.
Tomorrow, I am hosting an Instagram Live session at 12:30 p.m. with Yasmin Ali, Executive Director of Brooklyn College Student Financial Services. We will discuss financial aid, registering for summer and fall, the Credit/No Credit Policy, and any questions you may have.
Our graduating seniors are completing their college courses, and we want to honor their hard work! Although we cannot host an in-person commencement at this time, we will be launching “Cheers to the Class of 2020,” a pre-recorded, online celebration on May 28. If you are graduating, make sure to submit your preferred name with its pronunciation by Friday, May 1, using the link that Marching Order emailed you. If you did not get a link, or if you have other questions, please email Student Affairs: studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
I want to express great thanks to Prof. Jeffrey Biegel for his weekly, livestreamed piano concerts to help people experience joy during this challenging time. You can check out the News 12 coverage of his stay-at-home concerts, in which he reports feeling grateful for music’s ability to bring comfort.
Take good care. I will write again on Friday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, April 24, 2020. I have four quick points today.
Personal Counseling
Yesterday, I hosted an Instagram Live chat with the Director of Personal Counseling, Professor Gregory Kuhlman. We discussed the challenges students face during the pandemic, the emotional effects of quarantine, as well as how to manage grief and stress. Personal Counseling provides Brooklyn College students with free, remote, and confidential sessions. To make an appointment, please call 718.951.5363 or email Personal Counseling.
Making It Through the Semester
If you have lost someone you love to COVID-19 and cannot focus on classwork, please call 718.951.5352 or email Student Affairs to discuss the College bereavement policy. If you are just feeling overwhelmed, please tell your professors and they can help you figure out how to complete your classes. Please remember: we have a Credit/No Credit policy this semester, which allows you to change a passing letter grade (A, B, C, D) to Credit, and a failing grade to No Credit. Credit/No Credit designations will not affect your GPA. You will be so glad you completed your classes when this is over!
Virtual Front Desk
When you need to talk to a live person for help of any kind, we now have a Virtual Front Desk at Brooklyn College, which lists the phone numbers, times of operation, and offices available to assist you on a phone call.
Costume Shop Thank You
Thank you to the Costume Shop in the Brooklyn College Department of Theater for making 195 reusable, cloth masks for all the campus essential workers! You can watch Deborah Hertzberg, Director of our Costume Shop, tell the uplifting story to News 12.
Have a good weekend. Saturday looks beautiful; I hope you can enjoy it. I will write again on Monday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, April 27, 2020.
Our students are working hard to complete their courses this semester. They are caring for family members, managing crowded households, making ends meet, and finding time to finish their schoolwork. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Classes are almost done, and the Credit/No Credit policy stands ready to help (look for an email on this policy later today).
Our faculty members are also focused on finishing their spring courses. They are working harder than ever to be available to students, respond to them, and help them remain enrolled, despite the pandemic. Professors are dealing with the same home stress that students experience, but they are committed to helping our students succeed.
Our staff members are also focused on student success. They are dealing with the same home stress that students and faculty experience, but they still keep the College afloat. Some volunteered for a panel on Enrollment and Advisement. Others volunteered to call students who have dropped out of contact with the advent of remote learning. Staff members want to reach out to students, tell them about online resources, and simply express that the College cares.
Because of excellent faculty and staff support, many students are thriving. Ordinarily, our Visual Media and Performing Arts students display their talents in studio open houses toward the end of the spring. This semester, they have moved online. The first installment of our Art MFA open studios and our MFA in Acting Showcase are both available to enjoy.
Please take a moment today to find gratitude for something new in your life. For me, it is the ability to spend more time with my loved ones at home. My daughter does some of her homework sitting right next to me as I write to you.
Good luck in your work this week. I will write again on Wednesday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, April 24, 2020. I have four quick points today.
Personal Counseling
Yesterday, I hosted an Instagram Live chat with the Director of Personal Counseling, Professor Gregory Kuhlman. We discussed the challenges students face during the pandemic, the emotional effects of quarantine, as well as how to manage grief and stress. Personal Counseling provides Brooklyn College students with free, remote, and confidential sessions. To make an appointment, please call 718.951.5363 or email Personal Counseling.
Making It Through the Semester
If you have lost someone you love to COVID-19 and cannot focus on classwork, please call 718.951.5352 or email Student Affairs to discuss the College bereavement policy. If you are just feeling overwhelmed, please tell your professors and they can help you figure out how to complete your classes. Please remember: we have a Credit/No Credit policy this semester, which allows you to change a passing letter grade (A, B, C, D) to Credit, and a failing grade to No Credit. Credit/No Credit designations will not affect your GPA. You will be so glad you completed your classes when this is over!
Virtual Front Desk
When you need to talk to a live person for help of any kind, we now have a Virtual Front Desk at Brooklyn College, which lists the phone numbers, times of operation, and offices available to assist you on a phone call.
Costume Shop Thank You
Thank you to the Costume Shop in the Brooklyn College Department of Theater for making 195 reusable, cloth masks for all the campus essential workers! You can watch Deborah Hertzberg, Director of our Costume Shop, tell the uplifting story to News 12.
Have a good weekend. Saturday looks beautiful; I hope you can enjoy it. I will write again on Monday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College Community,
Today is Wednesday, April 22, 2020, and I’d like to discuss three issues in this letter:
Graduation
As you know, with the COVID-19 pandemic, large public gatherings, such as the beautiful ceremony we had planned at Barclays, are now prohibited. When the Chancellor broke the news to the community, I asked for your suggestions about creative alternatives we should consider to commemorate the occasion.
Based on your suggestions, Brooklyn College will host a virtual graduation celebration on May 28, 2020. It will include music, speeches, special messages from College faculty and staff, and an announcement of each graduate’s name and degree, featuring their photograph. Student Affairs will be sending out more information this week.
I understand how important this moment is to you and your families. This is not a replacement ceremony; nothing could replace an in person commencement. Given the uncertainties of the pandemic, though, we cannot say when we might be able to host an in person celebration. For now, we will work hard to make our virtual graduation very special.
Instagram Live with Personal Counselling
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, at 12:30 p.m., I will host an Instagram Live session with Professor Gregory Kuhlman, Director of the Personal Counseling staff at Brooklyn College. We will discuss the emotional challenges posed by the pandemic, and how to use the resources on campus to help you make it through the last few weeks of the semester. You can do it!
Summer Session
Summer session is right around the corner, and all our classes will be online. Home quarantine is likely to last for a while, and its effects will last much longer. Please use your time inside to get ahead on completing your credits to graduation. You can register for summer classes today.
Take good care, and I will write again on Friday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, April 20, 2020.
The Stated Meeting of the Faculty is a presentation I give to faculty and staff twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring. The fall 2019 Stated Meeting was last October, which seems a lifetime away at this point.
This Spring 2020 Stated Meeting of the Faculty is a 25-minute video presentation. It covers some of the accomplishments of the campus since last October, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the classes and work of the College, how the College is still flourishing, and a recognition of the loss of four community members to the disease.
Take good care, and I will write again on Wednesday.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, April 17, 2020, and I write to celebrate recent, big literary wins for Brooklyn College.
Two Brooklyn College faculty members have won Guggenheim Fellowships for their extraordinary talent. Prof. Helen Phillips won a Guggenheim for her work that includes the recent novel, The Need, which The Guardian called, “frighteningly insightful” and “one of this year’s most necessary novels.”
Prof. Sigrid Nunez won a Guggenheim for her work that includes the recent novel, The Friend, which won the National Book Award. The New York Times said the book earned “euphoric reviews from critics, who hailed it as a subtle, unassuming masterpiece.”
Prof. Ben Lerner won the Los Angeles Times Best Fiction Prize for his novel, The Topeka School, which the New York Times called, “the best book yet by the most talented writer of his generation.”
Brooklyn College alum De’Shawn Charles Winslow, ’11 and ’13, won the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize for In West Mills. The New York Times said, “From the first page, Winslow establishes an uncanny authority and profound tone that belie the book’s debut status.”
Finally, Brooklyn College alum Ocean Vuong won the Mark Twain American Voice Award for Literature for his novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, which the Washington Post called: “A lyrical work of self-discovery that’s not so much briefly gorgeous as permanently stunning.”
Brooklyn College is a literary powerhouse. We can all be proud of the excellence of these writers.
Have a good weekend.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College students,
Today is Wednesday, April 15, 2020, and yesterday I hosted an Instagram Live chat. My guest was Tracy Newton, the Executive Director of our Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success (CAASS). Students questions were excellent, and I want to highlight a number of them here.
I am feeling overwhelmed by this semester. What can I do?
Email Brooklyn College Personal Counseling services at BCPersonalCounseling@gmail.com or call 718.951.5363. They can help.
Do I need to withdraw from my classes this semester?
No. Even if you’ve missed some coursework, there is no need to withdraw. We encourage you to communicate directly with faculty members about the hardships you face. Alternatively, you can email chairs of departments or deans of schools for help. There are a number of options instead of withdrawing, such as extended deadlines, incompletes, and Credit/No Credit.
What is the Credit/No Credit grading policy?
You can choose to convert any of your spring 2020 grades to Credit/No Credit, up to 20 days after grades are submitted. A passing letter grade (A, B, C, or D) would convert to CR for credit, and an F would convert to NC for no credit. Cr/NC grades do not impact GPA.
But How do I opt for Credit/No Credit grades?
After spring grades come out, you can select the Cr/NC option for any spring 2020 grade in CUNYfirst.
Why should I take summer classes?
All of our summer courses will be in a remote format this year, so you can stay home, but keep going on your progress toward your degree! Summer is a great time to catch up or get ahead in academic work. Check out our Summer 2020 page.
Which classes should I take this summer?
You should schedule a personal appointment with an academic advisor in CAASS to discuss what classes are best for you. Email caass@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Does financial aid apply in summer?
Possibly. Speak to a financial aid advisor by emailing finaid@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Can I keep my computer on loan through summer?
Yes! (Remember: if you need of a computer device, email devicerequest@brooklyn.cuny.edu.)
Is the Learning Center providing remote peer tutoring now and in summer?
Yes! You can find out more on the Learning Center website.
I want to thank all the students who tuned into the Instagram Live session for their great questions. I will answer more of them in a Friday message. Until then, take good care.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, April 13, 2020.
Believe it or not, summer session for classes at Brooklyn College is on its way, and they are all going to be held in a remote learning format. The theme for our summer session this year is: “Stay Home, But Keep Going!” Although it is hard to remain in quarantine, you can ensure your time inside is not wasted by signing up for summer classes and earning credits toward your degree. Keep your academic momentum on track.
Tomorrow I will host a live chat on Instagram at 2 p.m. @bklyncollege411. I will be joined by Tracy Newton, Executive Director of Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success (CAASS) at Brooklyn College. Tracy and I will tackle your hardest academic advisement questions.
Remember that you can schedule a personal online academic advisement session by emailing caass@brooklyn.cuny.edu. Remember, too, that if you are a student and don’t have a computer device at home, you can email devicerequest@brooklyn.cuny.edu, and receive one on loan from the College. (If you already have a device on loan and register for summer classes, the loan will be extended through the summer.)
Be well, and see you tomorrow at 2 p.m. on Instagram.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, April 10, 2020.
I received a number of responses to my Wednesday email, which invited folks to let me know how they are doing. I heard from staff, students, and faculty. I heard from people doing well. I heard from people in despair. I got long and short emails. The briefest said, “I lost my mom due to COVID.” She was not the only one to write of losing a family member or facing another significant challenge.
A student wrote: “I’m unemployed, and the unemployment office is unreachable because of the ridiculous amount of people trying to contact them, so I feel…lost. I was hoping a Bachelor of Arts would be enough to get me work once I graduated this May, but because of the pandemic, I’m not sure I’ll get callbacks anytime soon.”
A faculty member wrote, “I’ve been in a classroom for many, many years, including during 9/11, but nothing prepared me for the COVID-19 crisis. I suddenly find myself adapting a hands-on based curriculum into a distance learning format. In addition to the students’ academic needs, I also realized that their emotional and mental health must be considered. I reach out to students and try to be available when they just want to talk.”
Another professor concurred, “I have had students apologizing to me for their late work because a parent was sick or they have a child they are now homeschooling. I try to reassure them that work can be made up, as long as they take care of themselves and their loved ones. I hope that one positive thing that can come out of all this is that as a society we are more understanding and flexible when we can be.” I agree.
A staff member working from home wrote, “I must admit that I often find myself overwhelmed with worry for the wellbeing of my parents, husband, family, friends, colleagues, elderly neighbors and all those who I love and adore. I offer prayers night and day, whenever I have a free moment.” Thank you for your prayers.
A staff member working on campus wrote, “When I was in the U.S. Navy working in the boiler room of a guided missile destroyer, we had a saying: ‘We are the first ones onboard and the last ones off.’ So that goes for us here at the college. We are dedicated to providing the essential services to help continue the mission of educating the students now and into a better tomorrow.” Thank you for your essential work, and your profound commitment to the mission of the College.
A student wrote, “I really miss our campus with all the grass and flowers.” Me, too, especially at this time of year. Remember that our beautiful campus is still standing, cleaned and quiet, waiting for all to be safe for us to return. Remember, too, that the faculty, staff, and students are all here, separated across the City, but together in spirit, sharing a goal of care and continuity amidst the change and uncertainty. We have to keep up the fight, even when it is hard.
A student wrote: “The pain in our body and heart is so deep that we can barely look forward and see the light at the end of tunnel. I am sure there is one, but I don’t see it coming. As a healthcare employee, it is very hard to see that there is nothing that doctors and nurses or myself as part of the team can do to save lives. For now, we will fight. I am doing my best to complete my assignments and continue my health studies to be able to serve my community the best I can.”
Sometimes the end of the tunnel looks dark, but we may see a glimmer of hope in how we work to support one another. Stay focused on that flicker. A faculty member wrote: “I feel more connected to my bilingual education students than ever. The multilingual immigrant population has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and its aftermath. Last week, I had a virtual live class and all 24 of my students showed up--which made me cry. How amazing is it, with all the competing needs at this time, to come together and support each other and talk about what we love!”
Thank you all for writing. I feel honored to hear you. I hope you take care this weekend and enjoy a special holiday, if you are celebrating. I will be thinking about you, and will write again next week.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
I really miss seeing and interacting with you.
Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2020, and I am thinking about the challenges of connecting with other members of the Brooklyn College community. COVID-19 has changed our lives dramatically.
This semester has required a radical adjustment to the remote environment. All of us try to remain indoors, wash our hands, and mask our faces when we must go out. But in truth, some folks weather the new environment better than others. For the luckiest, home quarantine is marked by inconvenience and occasional discomfort: having to share a cramped space or the frustration of intermittent wireless connectivity. For others, of course, home quarantine means a lot more work-- having to provide constant care for children on top of our regular jobs. For many unlucky ones, however, we have to remember that home quarantine means the fear and anxiety of being laid off or caring for a sick family member, or much worse, the extreme pain of losing a loved one to the disease.
Even if our family has not suffered, we may feel anticipatory grief, and the remote environment can make us feel alone. In our community, some staff feel disaffected or overwhelmed. Some students waver about whether to forge ahead with the semester or drop out. Some faculty have lost touch with their colleagues. I don’t want to lose anyone this semester, in any sense of that word. In a letter a couple weeks ago, I wrote, “We cannot knowingly leave any students behind.” The same applies to our beloved staff and faculty.
If you have dropped out of touch, please call a friend. If you notice a colleague has dropped out of touch (whether staff, student, or faculty), please reach out. Please make the effort to stay in touch. This week, many will celebrate holidays separated from their loved ones. Please use the opportunity to connect with them in whatever way you can.
Additionally, I would love to hear from you. Please let me know how you are doing. You can email me at michelle.anderson@brooklyn.cuny.edu. I won’t be able to answer every email, but please know that I will read each message, think carefully about you, reflect on how the College can best support you, and send you my best wishes.
Don’t get lost this semester. Together, let’s stay found.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Monday, April 6, 2020. As you know, public gatherings across New York City remain prohibited, and we do not know how long that prohibition will remain in place. As a result, last Friday afternoon, CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez announced the “heart-wrenching” decision to postpone indefinitely spring commencement ceremonies across CUNY.
Rest assured, Brooklyn College will confer all degrees as regularly scheduled. However, the diploma itself will not soothe the pain of not being able to celebrate in person.
I know this is extremely disappointing news, especially for the students who have worked so hard for the opportunity to gather and celebrate with their extended families. After all, the completion of a degree is often the result of the collective effort of both a student and their closest loved ones. While we won’t be able to assemble at Barclays for graduation, I refuse to let May 28, 2020, pass by without some important marking of the occasion!
The campus-wide staff graduation committee, along with the student Senior Class Gift Committee, will assess options for an alternative celebration for May 28. Can you help us get creative? Give us your best ideas for how to share a commencement online. We want to hear from you.
I don’t know what May 28 is going to look like, but I hope to make it an excellent celebration that honors your hard work and the momentous milestone that it represents in your life. Thank you for contributing your insight!
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Friday, April 3, 2020.
Folks were pleased to celebrate our faculty yesterday. They expressed deep gratitude for the fantastic professors I highlighted in yesterday’s letter, and cited many more. I wish I could give a shout out to every faculty member who has faced this challenging semester with resourcefulness and an open heart. Thank you to all of them.
I have two short announcements before we go into the weekend:
- To enhance safety for both students and staff, we are reducing the hours of the Food Pantry and increasing the amount of food that students receive on each visit. The Pantry will now be open for appointments only on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Farm shares are delivered Wednesday mornings so students will be able to pick up pantry items and fresh food on the same day. Email studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu anytime to request an appointment. If demand increases, we will expand hours.
- To enhance safety for both students and staff, we are shifting the way we distribute computer devices from in person appointments to mailing, unless a student requests a campus pick up. If you are a student who does not have access to computers at home and you would like a loaner device from the College, simply email devicerequest@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
I hope that each of you gets the opportunity to enjoy the weekend in whatever safe way you can. I will write again on Monday. Be well.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
It’s Thursday, April 2, 2020, and I have one important message for you today: WE LOVE OUR FACULTY!
Brooklyn College professors are brilliant, compassionate, and hard-working. Can I just tell you how much they have stepped up, rallied, and developed remote learning strategies in what amounts to a nanosecond in academic time?
I’m not just talking about one or two profs. I’m talking about more than a thousand Brooklyn College fulltime and adjunct faculty members doing the rough equivalent of wiping the slate clean on their classes mid-semester--and starting over--to change their mindsets, develop new syllabi, and learn to teach in new formats with tools that most had never used before. Professors have responded to this crisis with creativity, patience, and innovation.
Sometimes the teachers have become the students, approaching new digital terrain with determination. Eighty-one-year old English Professor Aaron Streiter, for example, put in a tremendous amount of work to learn online tools far out of his comfort zone. He is now hosting live video conferences in all his courses, and exploring tools for remote essay collection and feedback. All this by someone who was barely using email a few weeks ago!
Faculty members are doing everything they can to engage students in class, striving to create rigorous and nurturing learning experiences, despite the great challenges of this unusual semester. They are recording their lectures and sharing PowerPoint presentations. They are reaching out to students who miss class, and accommodating students who are juggling childcare with the flexibility they need to succeed.
Some faculty have volunteered to help their colleagues learn how to teach online. Sociology Professor Donna Lee Granville, for example, brought her expertise in distance education and best practices to the work. She conducted numerous live faculty development sessions, promoted the work on social media, and developed an assessment of different technologies and their use, which has been an invaluable tool for her peers. Thank you, Donna!
Donna’s not alone in giving back. A trio of faculty members, Professors Cat McEntee, Kerstin Musolf, and TR Muth, developed new online laboratories for hundreds of biology students. In addition to teaching their regular classes, these professors organized armies of adjuncts, found resources, made lesson plans and assessment modules for each lab, and executed delivery of the new curriculum. Amazing!
Math Professor Jeff Suzuki, the first in his department to run an online course over winter break, was extremely helpful when his whole department had to switch to distance education quickly and needed advice. In addition to teaching an overload of courses this semester, he volunteered to write, program, and run department finals on an online math system, normally the work of multiple professors. Outstanding!
Childhood Bilingual and Special Education Professor Meral Kaya contacted each of the students and their school partners to ensure their access to the virtual classrooms of their schools without delay. She attended meetings with the NYC DOE to revise and develop innovative approaches to student teaching. All of her students are able to continue virtually this semester, which has not been the experience of most student teachers across NYC. Go, Meral!
Finally, Deborah Hertzberg and Sarah Iams, who teach in the Design and Technical Theater Program and staff the Costume Shop for the Department of Theater, are working with costume design students to sew cloth masks for healthcare workers and first responders. They are taking a cue from Professor Emeritus C. Rebecca Cunningham who has been been sewing masks from home for local fire fighters. Beautiful!
The faculty at Brooklyn College are wonderful and we are blessed to have them. They are working hard this semester to make the academic work of the College thrive and to attend to the larger needs of the community. Thank you to all the faculty for your hard work.
Send some love to a Brooklyn College faculty member today.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, is National Census Day, an event that happens only once every ten years. I urge you strongly to complete the census online today at www.my2020census.gov/. I just did, and it took less that 10 minutes.
Completing the 2020 Census will support New York State’s ability to respond effectively to public health pandemics in the future. The census determines how the government allocates more than $675 billion a year on important matters like disaster planning, education, transportation, and public health. The funding our city receives will be jeopardized unless we all – every single household – complete the census. New York State could also lose two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives if we don’t respond to the census, and our voices would be diminished.
Please note:
- Your immigration status doesn’t matter! There is no citizenship question on the census.
- Your language doesn’t matter! The census collects responses in 13 languages.
- Your age doesn’t matter!
Brooklyn is one of the communities across the nation at highest risk for being undercounted. We can’t have that. Please complete the census at www.my2020census.gov/ today!
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Tuesday, March 31, 2020, and earlier I hosted an Instagram Live chat for the Brooklyn College community. Our guest was the BC Environmental Health and Safety Director Carrie Sadovnik. It was our first time conducting a chat, so we were learning the technology as we went. The important thing is that we got to hear directly from students. They asked a number of good questions, which I will highlight here:
If I don’t have computer device at home, how can I get one?
Easy. Schedule an appointment for a device on loan.
Remote classes are hard, and it seems as if some faculty are increasing the workload unfairly, so what can I do?
Please email the faculty member directly to express your concerns. If that doesn’t work, email the chair of the department or the dean of the school for help. (To faculty: Please remember that many students are facing new challenges in their lives, and this is not the time to overkill on assignments.)
I have to take care of my children at home now, which makes it harder to complete remote classes, so what can I do?
Many students are struggling to balance their classes with family obligations. For some, home life has always been challenging, the campus provided a sanctuary of sorts, and now that sanctuary is gone. Please tell your professor or the department chair about your situation and discuss potential accommodations to help you manage the workload.
Can I get some psychological help?
Yes. Everyone needs to attend to their mental health during this stressful time! Our Personal Counseling services are available for remote use. Email BCPersonalCounseling@gmail.com or call 718.951.5363. Additionally, NYC’s domestic violence hotline is 1.800.621.HOPE (4673).
Can I have a refund for remote learning classes?
Under CUNY rules, students cannot get a refund for an ongoing class. However, the CUNY Board of Trustees voted last night to refund 25% of the Student Activities Fee for the spring semester. When we get more information on how that refund will occur, we will let you know.
Can I take my class this semester Credit/No Credit?
Yes! Students may convert any letter grades they earn in spring 2020 classes to Credit/No Credit, even after grades are submitted. A passing letter grade (A, B, C, or D) would convert to CR for credit, and an F would convert to NC for no credit awarded. (Cr/NC grades will not impact GPA.) For many students, this option will be a life saver. For more details, see CUNY's Grading Policies and Deadlines.
What will happen with our spring 2020 graduation?
We’re not sure right now. The decision on what happens with the commencement ceremonies for all CUNY campuses is still pending. When we hear, we will let you know.
Those were the main questions asked on the live chat, and we were glad to hear them. Thank you all!
On Thursday, we begin again with undergraduate classes in a remote learning format, and I believe we are in a better place. We are on track to distribute well over 200 computer devices to students who are most in need, and we will continue to loan devices as long as there is need. The Learning Center has tripled its online tutoring sessions for students (pdf) in a range of classes. We feel more prepared to tackle the end of this semester, and we hope you feel that way, too.
Folks, the spring semester is moving rapidly. There are fewer than six weeks left. Now is not the time to throw in the towel. Settle down and get it done! You can make it through, and you will be so glad that you did when this is over.
Hang in there. I am rooting for you!
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is March 30, 2020, and I have some difficult news to share.
Professor Mark Blum, who taught in our MFA Acting program, passed away late last week from complications of the coronavirus. Professor Blum was an adjunct faculty member in our Department of Theater for the last 15 years. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a character actor, and was beloved by all who learned from him. His former students, many well-known actors among them, attest to Mark’s extraordinary work as a teacher. He was “a skilled and honest listener, observer and questioner who demanded rigor and discipline and excellence.” He reminded students that “being an artist is a choice, and being a good one takes hard work, but it is a privilege to make a living doing what you love.” Moving tributes from the broader theater community have peppered recent articles written about Mark’s life. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends at this time.
Professor Blum is the first member of our community who has died from COVID-19, so I wanted to announce his passing myself. I am saddened by this tremendous loss to the College, which leaves his colleagues and students in shock. Unfortunately, Mark Blum is unlikely to be the only one this horrible virus takes from us.
This is an important moment for reflection at Brooklyn College. We are moving to a time when the pandemic is likely to become more personal and painful for many people. It will be extremely difficult to face the enormity of each individual loss. As a community, we will hold together, finding strength by supporting one another and tending to those experiencing the deepest grief.
We are developing an “In Memoriam” page on our website to be able to mark any future COVID-related deaths. We want to ensure that no one is forgotten. Going forward, the College will announce additions to the page through its regular communications. When we can safely gather again on campus, we will hold a memorial to honor those we have lost.
Until that time, we are working together to complete the academic work of the spring semester. We are still in the Recalibration Period through Wednesday. Faculty are engaged in professional development on best practices for distance education. Students who do not have computers at home are scheduling appointments for them through our Device Loan Requests page.
Our Food Pantry has moved to just inside the Whitehead entrance on Campus Road so that it is more accessible. Students must have appointments to enter, which they can schedule through studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Last week, I indicated that I was planning to host a Facebook Live chat on Tuesday. Given the circumstances, it seemed most appropriate to begin with our Environmental Health and Safety Director Carrie Sadovnik, who chairs the Brooklyn College COVID-19 Response Team. Facebook cannot livestream two people from different locations, so we are moving to Instagram Live. To participate in the chat, simply go to the Brooklyn College channel on Instagram (@bklyncollege411) at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Carrie and I will discuss what we know about the virus, and then turn to your questions.
We hope to hear from you.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is March 27, 2020, and it’s gorgeous outside. The weekend is not slated to be as nice, so I hope you can get some time in the sun today, six feet from everyone else.
As you know, the Recalibration Period that started today extends through next Wednesday. During this time, CUNY will send us iPads and Chromebooks to distribute to students who need them for their academic work this semester. I will let you know when they arrive, and how to schedule a staggered appointment to receive one. We’ve established a safe distribution system for when the time comes, with appropriate social distancing in the WEB building or outside on the field, depending on the weather.
Good news: I’m going to host a Facebook live chat, probably Tuesday of next week, to hear directly from you and to answer your questions. We all feel somewhat isolated by COVID-19 quarantining, so I thought the immediacy of a live stream might be a good way to engage students, staff, and faculty who are interested. I’ll send you details when I write next on Monday.
For now, don’t forget: Wash your hands, keep them away from your face, and have a nice weekend.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is March 26, 2020, and I hope you are all well.
As you know, CUNY has announced a Recalibration Period that begins tomorrow and extends through April 1. During that period, CUNY will send a number of new iPads and Chromebooks to Brooklyn College for us to distribute to students who need them to complete their academic work this semester. More on what that means for us tomorrow, but for today, I’d like to highlight the services we now have available to students.
We are ready to deliver lots of student support to you remotely! We have staff from Academic Advisement, the Food Pantry, Personal Counseling, the Health Clinic, the Office of Scholarships, the Immigrant Student Success Office, and the Magner Career Center all just waiting to help you.
Good news: The Learning Center is also now offering online tutoring.
Importantly, if students face any unforeseen financial challenges this semester as a result of COVID-19, they can apply for emergency grants. Some faculty and staff have asked how they can contribute to this emergency fund. Thank you for asking! Here is the secure website to make a contribution.
If you have other needs, please let us know. If you are a student, reach out to Student Affairs. If you are a staff member, reach out to Renita Simmons in Human Resources. If you are a faculty member, reach out to your departmental Chair, school Dean, or the college Provost. We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks this semester.
I want to end today’s letter with a thank you note. David Best is little known on campus, but he is the glue that holds us together right now. He is responsible for ensuring that we all have network connectivity. In addition to being brilliant, creative, and responsive, he is also tireless in addressing the challenges of our newly online curriculum. David is a warrior fighting off an exponentially increased number of cyberattacks, ones you don’t hear about because he wins. David and his crack team rebuild network infrastructure, steward email functions, and increase our capacity to engage in remote teaching, learning, and working. David Best is the model of essential personnel at Brooklyn College. Thank you so much for the work you do, David.
Have a nice afternoon and enjoy the sun, everyone.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is March 25, 2020, and the campus remains open only for essential personnel and students with appointments (through Student Affairs) for loan computers or the Food Pantry. On the east side of campus, only the Whitehead entrance is open. On the west side, only the the West Gate and the west Bedford entrance are open. The childcare center (without pupils for more than a week) is now closed. Again, we are asking students, staff, and faculty to stay away from campus and work from home.
Last night, the Chancellor announced a “Recalibration Period for Educational Equity” from Friday, March 27, through Wednesday, April 1, 2020. When we began developing distance learning plans in response to COVID-19, we assumed that we would be able to provide students who did not have computers at home with access to our computer labs on campus so that they could complete their academic work. When the pandemic became worse, however, the University had to close all computer labs. It decided to move spring break and ask the colleges to reach out to all students who might not have computers at home and loan them laptops or tablets.
Some have criticized the Recalibration Period for a perceived loss of momentum at an important stage in this upended semester. Please understand, though: Students who do not have computers at home, often our lowest income students, have felt panicked by the move to remote learning without the tools to complete it. Given our access mission, the digital divide is too important to ignore. We cannot knowingly leave any students behind.
The Chancellor today issued guidance on the Recalibration Period and I want to share highlights. From March 27 through April 1, no undergraduate classes will be held, no undergraduate assignments will be due, and no undergraduate tests will be taken. By contrast, Brooklyn College graduate and continuing education courses will continue.
During the Recalibration Period, we will continue to loan laptop computers and iPads out to students who do not have computers at home. Additionally, faculty will have the opportunity to further explore asynchronous tools and other best practices in distance education to maximize educational access.
Spring recess this year will be split in two. The first part will be the Recalibration Period. The second part will be from Wednesday, April 8, through Friday, April 10. Staff will work throughout the Recalibration Period, as they usually do during spring break, albeit remotely at this point. Religious accommodations will of course still apply during the week of April 12.
You may not consider the Recalibration Period an ideal situation. However, little is ideal this semester. Please remember: students who do not have computers at home might otherwise have to drop out of college. If we can support them now, and get all students across this semester’s finish line, it will have been worth the effort.
I know we can get through this together because we support one other through tough times. I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today is Tuesday, March 24, 2020, and the Brooklyn College campus is open, but only for essential staff and critical student services.
CUNY just announced a “Recalibration Period for Educational Equity” from Friday, March 27, through Wednesday, April 1, 2020. I’ll write more about what that means for us tomorrow. For today, though, I’d like to answer four of the most common questions I hear.
- What’s going to happen with our spring 2020 graduation? The decision on what will happen with the commencement ceremonies for all CUNY campuses is pending. At this time, we don’t have much information, but when we do, we will let you know.
- What should I do if I email a professor in my class and they don’t get back to me? First, each of us should remember that every student, staff, and faculty member may have to attend to unforeseen challenges in their life and may not be able to respond to email as promptly as they would like. I would urge all of us to try to act with exceptional patience and goodwill, even when we feel stressed. I know this is a tall order. (Let’s even try to be patient when others can’t muster patience.) Second, when a faculty member is still clearly nonresponsive, please email the dean for help. You can find the deans of the schools here.
- I don’t feel good about how this semester has changed, so what can I do if it just isn’t working for me? I think a lot of students are feeling this way. Heck, a lot of faculty and staff members are feeling this way, too. For students, I’ll just say, the semester is more than halfway over and a break is coming, which, even though you’ll be home, will give you the opportunity to recharge. You can plow through this semester and make it. There is a great list of online resources for students that may help. Remember: we are lucky if we are healthy and at home. Together, we can complete the academic work of the semester, and you will be so glad that you did when it is over.
- I am so tired of feeling cooped up; do I have to stay home? Yes. Yes, you do. I know your family members and housemates may be getting on your nerves. I know you miss being able to socialize with friends. Keep the faith, folks! In New York City alone, there are more than 15,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. It is time for us to buckle up and get comfortable with the (relatively mild) discomfort of staying inside to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Experts tell folks working from home to figure out a regular schedule and stick to it, exercise, and try to eat well. I myself will add: Find small joys. Bake something. Garden in the spring sun. Share a video chat with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Practice gratitude for the essential staff and first responders on the front lines of this pandemic. Prepare and complete your course work this semester, and feel proud of yourself that you did it.
I’ll end today’s letter with a fun fact: Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, is a chief advisor on COVID-19 at the national level. Dr. Fauci received an honorary degree from Brooklyn College in 2012.
I wish you all the very best today.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
Today marks the first day of a significantly limited physical campus at Brooklyn College. We remain open for essential personnel to maintain critical operations, but all classes have moved to a remote format, and the vast majority of work has moved to a remote format as well.
Although curtailed in the physical world, Brooklyn College has quickly spread its wings and taken flight via the internet. Educational work at the College is engaged and vital among students, staff, and faculty working together in a remote format. We are staying safe and staying strong as a community by working from afar.
For the foreseeable future, access to campus will be severely limited. Everyone must have permission to enter and sign in. As I indicated in my message last Saturday, most buildings are closed. On the east side of campus, only the entrance through Whitehead will be open (although the rest of Whitehead will be closed), and access is limited to essential personnel and students who have scheduled appointments for the Food Pantry or a computer loan, Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Students can schedule appointments by emailing studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu.) On the west side, only the West Gate and the Bedford west entrance will be open, and access will be limited to essential personnel and those using the childcare center.
As we try to adjust to this “new normal” (a phrase that unfortunately became tiresome long before the pandemic made it apt), I want you to know that everyone is finding solutions, and I am very proud of you. Our students and faculty are embracing the challenge of remote learning, figuring out hard things as they come, without hesitation. Our staff has likewise demonstrated a remarkable capacity to adapt and mobilize to ensure the vitality of the work we need to do. Across the College, the spirit of collaboration to ensure continuity has been remarkable.
Given the reality of remote work, we have new institutional needs. On the staff side, we need to identify a few very tech-savvy folks who want to assist ITS in providing training and trouble-shooting support to those who are less familiar with online tools. If you have strong skills in this area, please complete this form.
Thank you for your efforts as we try to meet new needs and evolve. We remain especially grateful to the essential staff at Brooklyn College who must work on campus to maintain critical functions. Thank you to them.
We will continue to update you regularly.
Be well,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues:
As you know, we are urging everyone who can to stay home.
This weekend, students will be allowed to come to the campus to use the WEB computer lab. Starting Monday, however, this lab will be closed. This weekend at the WEB building, the College is distributing computer laptops for students who do not have a computer at home to check out on loan so they can continue their coursework this semester. On Monday, once the WEB computer lab is closed, we will check out any remaining laptops through appointment with Student Affairs, like access to the Food Pantry.
Starting Monday, all Brooklyn College buildings will either be closed or require pre-authorized access. (The only exceptions will be for emergency access through public safety.) The following list identifies access to each building starting Monday:
- Boylan – Limited access for essential staff and students with appointments through Student Affairs for the Food Pantry or computer loans.
- Feirstein at Steiner Studios – Closed.
- Ingersoll/Ingersoll Extension – Limited access for lab care only.
- James Hall - Limited access for childcare center and lab care only.
- Library - Closed, except for AIT/ITS essential staff.
- Roosevelt Hall/Roosevelt Extension – Closed.
- Student Center – Closed.
- Tow – Closed.
- WEB – Closed.
- West Quad - Limited access for essential staff only.
- Whitehead – Closed.
- Whitman – Closed.
As I indicated in yesterday’s email, this weekend is the last opportunity for faculty and staff to retrieve items they need from campus. Starting Monday, that access will be denied.
All of our classes have now transitioned to a remote learning format, so they will continue apace. Almost all of the administrative work on campus has also transitioned to a remote format, so we can maintain continuity there as well.
In this remote format, we face new challenges, but folks have been patient, creative, and collaborative in finding new solutions. I have been inspired by how people have been willing to set aside preconceived notions about how work needs get done to devise ingenious plans as we move forward. Please keep that energy up! We are likely to face a longer haul at home than any of us would prefer, and our patience, creativity, and collaboration will help us thrive.
Please remember, for the duration, we will have a number of Brooklyn College staff members who must remain on campus to protect the College’s critical functions. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR ESSENTIAL STAFF! I deeply appreciate their very hard work, and I will do everything I can to enhance their safety.
Be well,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College community,
I hope you are staying safe and staying home whenever you can. I also hope that you are adjusting slowly but surely to remote teaching and learning and telecommuting. We may be in this modality for some time to come, so please take a deep breath and just try to get a little bit better at remote work every day. At least, that’s what I’m doing.
I have three important messages I want to convey today.
- Stay home, and stay away from Brooklyn College unless absolutely necessary. We must keep the campus open to provide students in need with critical services, but starting tomorrow, students will only have access to the WEB computer lab, one piano room for practice in Whitehead, the childcare center, and the food pantry (or food vouchers) by appointment with Student Affairs.
- We are going to begin to close buildings on campus wherever we can. Leaving our buildings open for general access increases risk to ITS personnel, custodians, public safety officers, facilities staff, and others who must be on campus daily to keep it safe and running. As a result, we need to limit the number of people on campus, as well as the places they can go. Therefore, staff and faculty are allowed to come to campus this weekend, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., to collect any personal or work-related materials they need. Thereafter, only essential staff and pre-approved faculty will have access to our buildings, and only for limited purposes.
- Health officials tell us to be prepared for a substantial increase in positive cases across New York City. Given the trajectory of the pandemic, the City is now experiencing widespread community transmission, in which individuals who have no known contact with infected individuals are testing positive for the virus. The message to all of us is now the same: Act as if you have already been exposed, stay home, and monitor for symptoms. We must all stay home as much as possible in order to do our part to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
I want to close by thanking our essential staff who have to be at the College on a daily basis. They are selflessly giving of their work so that our students can get the critical services they need and so that the campus itself can function. They are our campus heroes.
In addition to staying home, please remember the basics: wash your hands and keep them away from your face. We will continue to update you regularly.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College community,
I write on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, while the campus is closed. Today, a different Brooklyn College student has reported being hospitalized with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The student is awaiting test results. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
This student was last on campus Wednesday, March 11, in Ingersoll and James, and was symptomatic at the time. We have notified those she came in close contact with on March 10 and 11 and, on the advice state health officials, asked them to monitor their health carefully and self-quarantine.
High-touch surfaces in public spaces and bathrooms in Ingersoll and James have all been disinfected since March 11, as have public spaces across campus. The College is engaged in comprehensive cleaning efforts on an ongoing basis. The campus will be open tomorrow, but with all we know about the widespread community transmission of the virus, it is my focused intent to keep people off the Brooklyn College campus.
Tomorrow, we begin teaching all formerly in-person classes in a remote learning format. Faculty have been preparing for this moment, and I want to thank them for their extraordinary and creative efforts to complete this transition, which involves not only a change in modality, but a profound change in how they conceptualize their classes. We expect that there will be many struggles, communication fails, and challenges in these newly remote courses (for both students and faculty), ones that will test everyone’s patience, but we will face them with goodwill as we work together to ensure academic continuity this semester.
Student access to campus will be extremely limited. Because some of our students do not have computers at home, they will need access to computers on campus to complete their coursework. Students can use those in the Library Cafe and computer lab in the West End Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., where we have implemented social distancing plans. Additionally, we will allow students to access the Childcare Center in James (regular hours) and three piano practice rooms in Whitehead (email mconelli@brooklyn.cuny.edu).
We continue to move as many staff members as possible, as quickly as possible, to a remote working format, and we are making great strides on that front. Staff should continue apace in these efforts. We have also moved many student services to a remote format, and I want to share a few of them with you.
We are staffing the ITS Help Desk remotely. For technical questions, email helpdesk@brooklyn.cuny.edu or call 718.951.HELP (4357), Mon - Thu, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fri - Sun, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For BlackBoard help, students should go to Ask a Librarian for online chat assistance at https://library.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pages/help/ask/chat.html, and faculty should email aitsupport@brooklyn.cuny.edu or call 718.951.4634.
If you need Center for Student Disability Services, email vstewart@brooklyn.cuny.edu. For students with a disability who have not yet registered with the Center, please email testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu to schedule a telephonic interview.
If you need our Health Clinic, please email BChealthclinic@gmail.com or call 718.951.5580. Be sure to include your full name and phone number. (You’ll receive instructions for telemedicine once you make an appointment.)
If you need our Personal Counseling services, please email BCPersonalCounseling@gmail.com or call 718.951.5363. Be sure to include your full name and phone number. Students can also make an appointment to access our Food Pantry at tinyurl.com/foodpantryappointment.
Here’s the bottom line: Don’t come to campus if you don’t have to. We all must do our part to protect the most vulnerable members of our community as we face this unusual crisis. We are all in this together, and what we do now will impact the health of others for a long time to come. Leading health officials are now suggesting that each of us should “act as if” we have already been exposed to the virus and stay home whenever we can to protect others. Thank you for understanding how important it is that we care for one another in this way.
We will continue to update you regularly. We are all working to make the best decisions we can under constrained circumstances, and with the information we have at the time. Throughout, though, please know that we care for you, and we want to do everything we can to protect your health and safety. We will pull through this challenge together.
Thank you,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for all of your efforts over the past week. You are remarkable in the effort you have shown to move to distance learning and in your commitment to put students first. Over 300 faculty have participated in training online over the last few days. I am awed by your generosity and commitment to your students and deeply grateful for all that you have accomplished. I know that it has been challenging and frustrating; yet we are on the road to ensuring our students’ ability to learn, even under these difficult circumstances. Thank you.
Tomorrow starts a momentous time for our campus. We have prepared as much as we can to serve you and to serve our students in cyberspace. Maddy Fox, Tammy Lewis, Richard Klein, Mary Mallery, Carlos Cruz, Howard Spivak, Alex Rudshteyn, Anil Lily, and many others, including Donna Granville, Jason Thompson, Doug Cohen, James Eaton, Keanna Benjamin, Sharona Levy, Natalia Guarin-Klein, and Andre Fontenelle, have worked tirelessly to ensure distance-learning training to faculty.
Since we are indeed a campus without distance learning degree programs, we are working simultaneously to put in place the staffing and infrastructures we need to help our faculty teach and our students learn. Many of our students will not have computers at home or fast internet connections; some will have childcare responsibility, and others will be trying to work, learn, and contribute to their families’ incomes, all with health uncertainties and many without quiet or reliable study spaces. Please be generous with them, and do your very best to accommodate them and their needs. Please also be realistic with yourselves too. One week is not a lot of time to prepare. Your course can develop over time. Depending on your own facility with technology, low tech can be an excellent choice. You need most of all to communicate with your students, provide opportunities for learning, feedback and assessment, accommodate them, and help them work through these very challenging times.
I am placing the latest information and guidance I have from the University about Research Continuity and Academic Continuity on our main Coronavirus update site. You can access the information whenever it would be helpful to you. I will update this information regularly and alert chairs that I have done so.
Many thanks to you for all you do on behalf of your students, colleagues, and the College. We are all so very grateful. Please remember to take very good care of yourselves.
I wish you a good start to the post-academic recess world and want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to improve our services and support you. Please continue to reach out directly to me if you have any questions or concerns.
With all best wishes,
Anne
Anne Lopes
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College Community,
In an effort to further enhance our college’s cyber defenses, especially during these difficult times, we want to highlight some of the new COVID-19–related cyber-attacks that come from emails.
One important thing to always remember: Think Before You Click!
If something seems wrong, call ITS at 718.951.5861. We are still here to take your call!
E-mails and websites that promise vital information about keeping safe from COVID-19 are on the rise, so stay vigilant. Exercise extreme caution in handling any email with a COVID-19–related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.
Two of the most reliable sources for legitimate coronavirus-related information are the websites of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at cdc.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) at who.int.
Communications from local departments of health can be very helpful, but only when the emails or websites can be confirmed as coming from a legitimate agency. These departments can usually be found through Web searches—for instance, the New York Department of Health will return health.ny.gov.
Remember to observe the same email best practices:
- Do not click on links or attachments from senders that you do not recognize. Be especially wary of .zip or other compressed or executable file types especially if you receive an email containing a warning banner (CAUTION: This email is from outside BC, so examine it closely before opening attachments or clicking on links) indicating that it originated from an external source.
- Do not provide sensitive personal information (like usernames and passwords) over email.
- If you get email claiming there’s a problem with your account or your payment information, do not call/email the company using the numbers provided in the email, call their official number that can be easily found online.
- If you can’t tell if an email is legitimate or not, please contact ITS at 718.951.5861.
Remember, nobody from Brooklyn College will ever request personal information, usernames, passwords, or money from you via email.
If something seems wrong, please call ITS at 718.951.5861. We are still here to take your call!
Alan Gilbert
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dear Brooklyn College community,
I write to inform you that another Brooklyn College student has tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19. The student is experiencing mild symptoms and is resting at home. We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
The student was last on campus on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, and was asymptomatic at the time. Symptoms emerged on Friday, March 13. This afternoon, the student tested positive for COVID-19. We have contacted the classmates and professors in the student’s March 11 classes.
Because the student was asymptomatic while on campus, the risk to our community is low. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, Brooklyn College will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Only operational engineers and public safety officers should report to work. (If you need access to the campus, please contact the Director of Public Safety Don Wenz at 718.951.5511.)
We will use the day tomorrow to consult further with public health officials and to deep clean the building on campus where the student was.
As always, if you are sick, please contact your health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, please call 311. Students who experience symptoms such as a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath should also contact Vice President Ron Jackson at studentsaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu. Faculty or staff who experience these symptoms should contact Human Resources Director Renita Simmons at renita.simmons@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Your health and safety are our number one priority. Please continue to visit the Brooklyn College and this page for the latest information, which we update daily.
Thank you,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
As we navigate a changing landscape this week, Brooklyn College continues to be committed to social distancing, the conscious effort to reduce close contact between people to slow the transmission of COVID-19.
Tomorrow, faculty, staff, and students will again be able to enter the campus, although we strongly encourage everyone to work from home, if possible. If you must come to campus to retrieve items you need to work from home, please leave quickly.
The faculty should continue with all speed to retool their in-person classes to a remote-learning format to commence on March 19. Staff should continue with all speed to develop plans to move their work to a remote format as well. Staff who already have telecommuting plans approved by their supervisors should begin working from home. If you do not have a plan to work from home, email or phone your supervisor now to develop a plan so that you can get approval as soon as possible. If you cannot work from home in your job, work with your supervisor to develop a plan to stagger your work hours, condense your work week, and space your work location so as to limit close contact with others.
Tomorrow, the Student Center, library, and computer lab in the West End Building will not be open, but we will have a few more services available for those students who must come to campus.
The Library Cafe will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We have implemented social distancing plans to keep the people using its computers spaced apart.
The Early Childcare Center (ECC), as well as childcare facilities across CUNY, will be open during their regular hours as a core service to our community.
Additionally, the Food Pantry will be open during its regular hours on Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., please make an appointment. Students can also apply for food vouchers in the Student Affairs office in Boylan Hall. Students who have emergency financial needs can apply for Emergency Grants.
We all must do our part to protect the most vulnerable in our community as we face this unusual crisis. We are all in this together, and I have seen extraordinary generosity from staff and faculty across the College in stepping up to the demands of the moment.
Thank you for your hard work and your understanding during this challenging time.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College community,
The situation is evolving quickly. Earlier tonight, CUNY indicated that only essential personnel should report to work tomorrow.
Therefore, Monday, March 16, 2020, only essential personnel should report to work at Brooklyn College. Faculty, staff, and students may enter the College, but we will not have full services available, as we will only have essential staff onsite to run the operations of the facilities, such as stationary engineers and public safety officers. The library, early childcare center, computer labs, student center, etc. will not be open. We will, however, maintain access to the Food Pantry; please stop by Student Affairs.
We expect the situation to remain dynamic, so please check our website for regular updates.
Again, we appreciate your patience and goodwill. We encourage you to engage in social distancing and stay home. If you do come to campus, try to stay at least six feet away from one another, and please express your gratitude to the staff members who have shown up to serve the College tomorrow by saying “thank you” from afar.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we encourage you to engage in “social distancing,” which is the conscious effort to reduce close contact between people to slow the transmission of COVID-19. These measures may feel awkward and artificial, but epidemiologists indicate that social distancing can make an enormous difference in the number of people who contract the virus, as well as its timing and spread.
To that end, effectively immediately, we ask all supervisors to develop plans for their staff to work from home, wherever possible, for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Working from home will be subject to the same performance standards. Plans must include clear expectations on hours, work assignments, check-ins with supervisors, and frequency of email.
Where working from home is not possible, we ask supervisors to develop plans for flexible work schedules or compressed work weeks, and to space workers apart from one another six feet or more, wherever possible.
In the same way that faculty are having to get creative to retool their in-person classes with remote-learning formats, we need to get creative with staff work as well. We request that supervisors work quickly with their teams to develop plans for working from home, or, if that is not possible, flexible work schedules or compressed work weeks. Then, supervisors should present these plans to the Vice President they report to for approval. We will prioritize allowing staff to work remotely.
Additionally, please note: Effectively immediately and for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, conference calling or videoconferencing is the new default for all work meetings, even when the participants are all on campus.
Some employees are crucial to the basic operations of the campus and will not be able to work from home: custodial staff, public safety officers, engineers, and many library staff, for example. I want us all to extend our deepest gratitude to them during this challenging time. Email them your support, or wave from a distance of six feet or more and say, “Thank you!”
Please remember that this is a time of heightened emotional and physical stress for all of us. Let’s be extra kind to one another as we face a changing landscape together.
Thank you for your help and generosity in this effort.
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,
We need to work together to slow the potential transmission of COVID-19 and to protect vulnerable populations from exposure. We ask all members of the Brooklyn College community to help in this effort.
The College is open at this time, and classes are moving to remote learning. In line with the recommendations of health officials at the City and State, we are further curtailing events on campus.
Events
Effective immediately, non-essential, non-instructional gatherings or events should be cancelled, postponed, or moved to a virtual platform for the duration of the Spring 2020 semester. This cancellation includes events sponsored by the college, schools, departments, or units; athletic practices and games; student-sponsored events; and events sponsored by external organizations. (We have not yet made a decision about commencement.) If you believe your event should be exempted from this policy, please appeal to legalgroup@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
The administration will reach out to faculty leadership this week to develop plans for remote work of the governance bodies of the College, if possible. The University and College are also exploring possible remote voting options for upcoming departmental and College actions.
Candidate Interviews
Effective immediately, job interviews for open positions should be conducted via telephone or teleconferencing. Please use the new approach consistently with all applicants for the same job, so none are unfairly disadvantaged. If you have questions, please reach out to our Chief Diversity Officer, Anthony Brown at Anthony.Brown@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
Travel
Effective immediately, Brooklyn College-sponsored travel by staff, faculty, and students should be cancelled, postponed, or moved to a virtual platform for the duration of the Spring 2020 semester. If you seek an exemption from this policy, please appeal to your respective vice president or dean.
Please reconsider personal travel plans as well. The status of locations, as reported by the CDC, is changing rapidly and may be reclassified as high risk during your trip, creating the possibility of required quarantine upon return.
Thank you for Your Understanding
We understand that, for our campus community and visitors, these changes may be disappointing. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are partnering with local, state, and national health and higher education organizations as we endeavor to make the best decisions for the health and safety of our community.
Sincerely,
Tony Thomas, Esq.
Chief Legal & Labor Relations Officer
Dear Brooklyn College community,
As of 10 a.m. today, March 14, the Brooklyn College campus is open.
As you know, we closed the College yesterday after a student tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12. The student was asymptomatic the last time she was on campus, March 3, but out of an abundance of caution we hired an outside vendor with expertise in this area to perform a deep cleaning in accordance with city and state guidelines. The vendor has certified that the cleaning has been completed.
All regularly scheduled personnel who have Saturday shifts will work today starting at 10 a.m. Brooklyn College will continue to be on an “instructional recess” for faculty teaching in-person classes to retool them for remote learning through March 18. The library, web building, and other campus services will be available on a regular basis as long as the campus is open.
Please continue to check this webpage for daily updates and answers to many questions. Please know that Brooklyn College is doing everything it can during this challenging time to keep you safe and informed.
Also, please wash your hands and do not touch your face.
Sincerely,
Alan Gilbert
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dear Brooklyn College community,
Today, March 13, Brooklyn College is closed after a student tested positive for COVID-19 last night, March 12. The student is in the hospital under medical care, and she has our full support.
Please know that Brooklyn College is taking this situation very seriously. To that end, I want to provide you with a campus COVID-19 update:
- The affected student was asymptomatic the last time she was on campus on March 3, so the risk to our community is very low. Out of an abundance of caution, we closed the campus today and brought in an outside vendor with expertise in this area to perform a deep cleaning in accordance with city and state guidelines. That cleaning is commencing this evening and will continue tonight.
- We will reach out again tomorrow when the cleaning is complete to let you know that the campus is open again. Until then, only public safety, engineering, and critical facilities staff are reporting to campus.
- We consulted with experts on infectious disease at New York State health agencies, and they advised us that, because the affected student was asymptomatic on March 3, her classmates and professors did not need to self-isolate. We once again contacted these students and faculty and let them know of this positive development.
- We will continue to investigate all new reports of COVID-19 that come to our attention, dispel false rumors, and monitor and report on situations of concern raised by members of our community. To ask questions or report any issues, please use our online COVID-19 Question Submission Form.
Please check this COVID-19 webpage for daily updates and answers to many questions. Please know that Brooklyn College is doing everything it can during this challenging time to keep you safe and informed.
Sincerely,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College community,
I write to inform you that a member of the Brooklyn College community tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) this evening. The student is in the hospital under medical care, and our thoughts are with her for a full and speedy recovery.
The student takes two classes on Tuesday evenings and she was last on campus on March 3. She did not develop symptoms until Thursday, March 5, and tested positive this evening, Thursday, March 12. Because she was asymptomatic at the time she was last on campus, the risk to our community is low. However, out of an abundance of caution, Brooklyn College will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 13. All students, staff, faculty, and visitors should NOT come to any of the College’s buildings.
We will use the day tomorrow to consult further with public health officials and to deep clean the building on campus where the student was. We have notified her instructors and the other students in her Tuesday night classes.
As always, if you feel sick, please contact a health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, please call 311. Hospital staff cannot ask you about your immigration status or deny you care based on your ability to pay.
Your health and safety are our number one priority. Please continue to visit this webpage for the latest information, which we update daily.
Thank you,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College staff members,
I hope that you and your family are doing well during this stressful time.
You and your staff colleagues matter greatly to me and to the wider community on campus. I know that many of the areas in which you work have been down-sized over the past few years and that, as a result, you’re having to cover more. Thank you for stepping up to support Brooklyn College. Your work is very valuable, and we are thinking of you.
As you know, Brooklyn College is open. Governor Cuomo yesterday cancelled all in-person classes at CUNY for an “instructional recess” through March 18. During this time, faculty members who teach in-person are retooling their classes for remote delivery. Many of you may be wondering about remote work for yourself, and I am reaching out to explain where we are on that question at this time.
As long as the campus is open, we need to staff it. Given the exigencies caused by COVID-19, we will allow modified work schedules, including staggered work hours, so that folks don’t all have to commute during peak times, and 4-day work weeks, similar to what we do in the summer with longer days but fewer of them. If a supervisor believes that such a plan may be appropriate in their area, the supervisor can develop a plan and send it to Renita Simmons in Human Resources for consideration and possible approval.
Some staff will want to be entirely off campus for work. “Telecommuting,” as it’s called, may be appropriate for a select number of positions, but it won’t work for a large number of staff when the campus is open. In any case, telecommuting would require access to the necessary hardware and systems at home, which we cannot provide. It would also require exceptional clarity about expectations and work assignments. If your supervisor believes that your position may be one that could work remotely and you already have the hardware at home to do so, the supervisor can develop a plan and discuss it with Renita, so she can begin to assess the possibilities.
There will be many questions related to COVID-19 as the situation evolves. We are daily updating relevant information on this page. I know some of you are wondering about having to take sick/annual leave if you are asked to quarantine, but we don’t have answers on that yet. When we do, we will let you know.
Please continue to take care of yourself and help one another in the coming weeks. Wash your hands with soap and water. Don’t touch your face. Stay home if you are sick.
Thank you for all you do for the College community. We truly appreciate your efforts, especially at this time.
Yours truly,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear students,
I’m writing to update you on our response to COVID-19 and how it impacts your classes. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that CUNY is moving to a distance-learning model for the rest of the semester.
All campuses throughout the CUNY system, including Brooklyn College, are on an “instructional recess” from Thursday, March 12, through Wednesday, March 18. During that time, no in-person classes will run. However, online classes at Brooklyn College (and those that transitioned to online or distance-learning recently) will continue to run. The instructional recess will allow faculty teaching in person classes to prepare to deliver those classes in a distance-learning format. We encourage you to read and follow the “Technology Preparations for Students” email on the March 9 tab of this page.
Beginning on Thursday, March 19, classes on hiatus will resume using a distance-learning model, and they will remain in that format for the rest of the spring semester.
Please note: Brooklyn College will remain open during the instructional recess and continue to be open after all classes recommence on March 19. Our staff will be working. Libraries, research facilities, computer labs, and the campus itself will be open.
This is a dynamic situation, and we will keep you posted as new information becomes available. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the academic continuity of the spring semester.
Yours sincerely,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College Community,
You may have heard false rumors about someone at Brooklyn College having COVID-19. At this time, we are not aware of any COVID-19 cases at the College. If an individual is absent from campus, please do not jump to conclusions. There are lots of reasons why someone may not be at work or in class, and there are several forms of quarantine, some are mandatory and some are just precautionary.
If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19, or if a NYC health official asks you to quarantine, please immediately contact the Brooklyn College Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at ehs@brooklyn.cuny.edu. (Supervisors should also contact EHS, if an employee brings the issue forward.) EHS is reviewing all reports, and conducting a risk assessment in accordance with CDC standards to determine what precautions the College should take as a response to the report.
The only way for the College to assess risks to our community is if individuals feel comfortable enough to be candid and report possible exposure to the virus. In accordance with state and federal laws, such as the ADA, HIPAA, and FERPA, the College is required to maintain the confidentiality of such reports, unless someone is confirmed to have COVID-19.
There will be many questions related to COVID-19 as the situation evolves. We are daily updating relevant information on the COVID-19 page on our website. We appreciate your cooperation, patience, and understanding during these stressful times.
Sincerely,
Tony Thomas, Esq.
Chief Legal & Labor Relations Officer
Dear Brooklyn College students,
We are working hard to ensure the health and safety of the Brooklyn College community and to preserve the academic continuity of the semester.
At this time, we are not aware of any COVID-19 cases in the Brooklyn College community. We are asking people to report to us if they test positive or have been asked to quarantine by NYC health officials, and we are tracking and monitoring all situations. We know of no instances of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 being on the Brooklyn College campus.
We are working to keep the campus safe and clean. In addition to our regular cleaning schedule, the Buildings and Grounds team and their crew of custodial staff have been working around the clock to regularly disinfect all touch points on campus, such as hand railings, doors, and dispensers. Please help by using the BC Fix-It app or email BCfix-it@brooklyn.cuny.edu to report problems in bathrooms, such as when soap dispensers are out.
Brooklyn College is currently open. However, I have granted faculty the authority to move their classes to an online format, if appropriate. Your faculty will reach out to you directly if your class is going to be placed online. Please follow the recommended technology preparation now, which you can find under the March 9 tab here on this page.
CUNY has canceled all CUNY-sponsored student international travel during the spring semester. On campus, we are reassessing non-essential, large events on a case-by-case basis, and will follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control in so doing.
There will be many questions related to COVID-19 as the situation evolves. We are daily updating relevant information on this page.
Fear and concern can take an emotional toll. During stressful times, I encourage you to take care of yourselves and each other. As a reminder, the Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Services (718.951.5363) are confidential and free of charge to you.
Finally, please remember: If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands often, and don’t touch your face. These three basics will make a big difference for the safety of our community.
Thank you so much for your help.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Colleagues,
We are working hard to ensure the health and safety of the Brooklyn College community and to preserve the academic continuity of the semester.
Last week, I convened a campus COVID-19 Response Team. I asked Carrie Sadovnik, our Director of Environmental Health and Safety, to lead the team. Before joining Brooklyn College, Carrie had 20+ years of experience in the field of health and safety. At the NYC Health Department, Carrie oversaw a team of 50 assistant safety officers for emergencies ranging from the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic to the 2015 Legionnaires' disease outbreak. During the Ebola scare, she was tasked with ensuring that NYC Health officials were safe while they investigated the potential spread of the disease.
Carrie reports directly to me on this issue and serves as liaison to CUNY Central and the NYC Health Department on COVID-19. Our Response Team has five committees working to address the many complex issues that have arisen: Accurate Information and Prevention; ITS and Remote Access Preparedness; Triage, Monitoring and Tracking; Academic Continuity; and Facility Closure and Reopening. The executive committee of the COVID-19 Response Team convenes each morning to identify and assess issues as they arise, and is in constant contact throughout the day.
At this time, we are not aware of any COVID-19 cases associated with anyone in the Brooklyn College community. Nevertheless, we are working hard to prepare our campus for the possibility that our day-to-day work may be further impacted.
CUNY has canceled all CUNY-sponsored student international travel during the spring semester. We are also reassessing non-essential, large events on a case-by-case basis, and will follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control in so doing.
There will be many questions related to COVID-19 as the situation evolves. Please stay level-headed and use common sense. For questions about Human Resources, for instance, call Renita Simmons in HR. For questions about academic continuity, call Anne Lopes. As Alan Gilbert reminds us, you can use the BC Fix-It app or email BCfix-it@brooklyn.cuny.edu to report when soap dispensers are out. If you are not sure where to reach out with questions, call 718.951.5400 or ehs@brooklyn.cuny.edu to reach out to Carrie Sadovnik herself in our Environmental Health and Safety office. Regular updates about the virus and related resources and information will continue to be available on this page. We will get through this together.
Yours,
Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College
Dear Brooklyn College Community,
Should CUNY campuses be required close in an effort contain the spread of COVID-19, it is important to ensure that all of your contact information is up to date and that you have access to all important Brooklyn College and CUNY online systems.
First and foremost, verify your CUNY login. This single sign-on will give you access to CUNYfirst and your Blackboard courses.
Your Brooklyn College email will give you access to official campus communications and Office 365.
- Verify your email: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/academics/technology/CUNYcloudemail.php
- Access Microsoft Office 365: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/office365
Do we have your up-to-date contact information on CUNYfirst? While you’re there, you should also review your CUNY Alert preferences.
- CUNYfirst: https://home.cunyfirst.cuny.edu
- CUNY Alert FAQs: https://www.cuny.edu/cuny-alert/
As a reminder, here is the Blackboard tutorial and a guide to using Microsoft Teams.
- Blackboard for Students: https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/Blackboard_for_Students
- Microsoft Teams: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/cis/technology-services/microsoft-office-365-for-education/faqs/#Teams
We encourage you to check this page for regular updates, and as always, please email helpdesk@brooklyn.cuny.edu or call 718.951.4357 if you have questions.
Thanks,
Alan Gilbert
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dear Brooklyn College Community,
By now, you have likely read countless news reports, seen updates, and spoken to classmates, friends, and family about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). I want you to rest assured that we are continuing to do all we can to keep our campus—and you—safe during this time.
In addition to our regular cleaning schedule, the Buildings and Grounds team and their crew of custodial staff have been working around the clock to regularly disinfect all touch points on campus, such as hand railings, doors, and dispensers. We are currently awaiting delivery of new no-touch dispensers for hand sanitizer, which will be installed across the college.
You can do your part to help keep our campus safe:
- Something missing? Report it. BC-Fixit has been updated to include reporting options for things such as empty soap dispensers, and lack of paper towels. Because we’re all likely washing hands more than usual, things will run out! Simply enter the bathroom number (found behind all bathroom doors) in the BC-Fixit app, and we’ll take care of it. We have a team monitoring your reports.
- Wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. It goes without saying—the best method of prevention is regular washing of hands. Wash properly, wash often.
- Now, more than ever, if you feel sick, have a cough or runny nose, stay home. This applies to students as well as faculty and staff.
I know that, understandably, you may be feeling concerned. We can all do our part during this time—support one another, and we will continue to act with purpose to ensure the health and safety of our BC family.
Thanks,
Alan Gilbert
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dear Members of the Brooklyn College Community:
Brooklyn College and the City University of New York continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and to take preventive measures for the well-being of our Brooklyn College campus community. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority.
There are currently no changes to our normal operations and educational processes. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and we will keep you posted on any updates and changes via a special resource page on the Brooklyn College website. The college will also continue to address any responses or adjustments required to continue supporting our academic mission and to keep our community safe.
In the meantime, all members of our community are encouraged to follow recommended practices for preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses. These include:
- Washing your hands often! Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, in particular after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not available, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is recommended.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Staying home when you are sick.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly touched objects and surfaces.
For further questions about preventative measures, please consult online resources available from the NYC Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
If you have any other questions, please consult this website.