Bearcat Buzz – October 30, 2020

Wednesday, November 25: College follows a Friday schedule
Thursday, November 26- Sunday, November 29: College Closed

Baruch College and The City University of New York (CUNY) are responding to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Working together on creating, implementing, and modifying policies and plans. To ensure that you have the most up-to-date guidance, directives, and resources, please check out:

Baruch Colleges COVID-19 Updates
Baruch’s Division of Student Affairs COVID-19 Resources
CUNY Coronavirus Updates
CUNY Continuity for Students
CDC- What You Need to Know
CDC- Key Facts
CDC- Traveling FAQs

The last day to withdraw from a class will be permanently extended to the last day of classes, December 13, 2020.  For more information visit the CUNY website.

To ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our students, Baruch College has determined that a moratorium had been placed on pledging and rush activities in all Baruch social fraternities and sororities at least through May 31, 2021. Read a message from the Provost for more information on the moratorium. * To anonymously report any hazing activity please fill out the Hazing Incident Report Form.

Hello Bearcats! Election day is ever so near. Make sure you know about all your options! Remember to stay safe, wear a mask, and follow safety guidelines. Your local elections are as important as the presidential election. Make your voice heard. For more information visit vote.nyc
Early Voting: 10/24- 11/1
Request Absentee Ballot By: 10/27
Mail in Absentee Ballot By: 11/3
General Voting: 11/3

Baruch College December Graduates and the CLASS OF 2021 it is time to celebrate all you’ve achieved!

When: Beginning Monday, November 2^nd to November 4^th
Where: Hotel Freehand New York
23 Lexington Avenue
(between 23^rd and 24^th Streets)
2^nd Floor – Mezzanine Level

Schedule your appointment at www.ouryear.com, using school code 87182. Questions? 1-800-687-9327 (M – F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) Portraits will be taken in your business attire, and cap & gown. Academic attire will be provided. There is no cost to have your portrait taken and photographs will be available for your personal portrait needs. Please be prepared to provide the photographer with your major at the time of your sitting. Don’t forget that you can use these portraits for your Professional Networking and Job Search sites.

Please Note:

We at Prestige Portraits are very excited to be able to capture this important milestone in your school career. At this unprecedented time, we at Prestige Portraits/Lifetouch have put in place all CDC recommended guidelines for taking senior portraits:

• Students will be required to wear face masks at all times, except while posing for their portrait.
• All photographers and assistants will be wearing face masks at all times.
• No-touch posing and social distancing will be implemented.
• Photographers and assistants will not make physical contact and will keep 6ft distance from subjects, customers and employees.
• All work areas will be cleaned after each sitting and all studio provided attire will be steam cleaned between each subject.

* It is important that you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment. No walk-ins will be permitted.

Baruch Athletics is hosting a 1st Annual “Bearcats Run NYC Virtual 5K“. The event will be held the week of Nov 2nd – Nov 8th. It is open to the whole Baruch community (Students, Factly and Staff).

Faculty are obligated to report any suspected violations of academic integrity policies, such as cheating and plagiarizing to the Office of the Dean of Students. On a monthly or semi-monthly basis, data will be shared with the Baruch Community via the Office of the Dean of Students website on any administrative sanctions (e.g., warnings or suspensions) imposed, and, when we know them, academic sanctions leveled by members of the faculty (e.g., F for the assignment or exam or F for the course). All information is anonymous.

Cases reported at the end of a month might not have been heard by the time reports are shared.

The information available for August and September can be found below:

August 2020
Reports
22 students were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. Of those:
– 16 were for cheating
– 05 were for plagiarism
– 01 was for falsifying documents

Administrative Sanctions
21 were found to be “responsible” and 1 not responsible. Of those:
– 06 received suspensions (for at least 1 semester)
– 15 received warnings

Academic Sanctions
16 students received F’s for their courses
(Note: unless the faculty member informs the Office of the Dean of Students, we don’t know if any academic sanctions have been assigned to students who were found to be responsible.)

September 2020
Reports
65 students were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. Of those:
– 59 were for cheating
– 06 were for plagiarism

Administrative Sanctions
57 cases have not yet been heard
08 were found to be “responsible.” Of those:
– 1 was put on probation
– 7 received warnings

Academic Sanctions
We do not know yet about academic sanctions for the eight students found to be responsible.

Definitions of Sanctions

To Report an Academic Integrity Violation

Got questions? Need Baruch information? Want to speak with a person in real time? The Office of Student Life presents our Virtual Headquarters. We are hosting several one-hour sessions where students can log in and ask any questions they may have about student engagement and the Baruch community. More information can be found on the Student Life website.

Interested in getting involved with clubs? Make sure to check out their virtual events and activities by going on to MyBaruch! Continue to check this webpage in the future to find more engagement opportunities throughout the academic year.

Writing Center Virtual Orientation
The Writing Center
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
12:30 – 12:45 p.m.

Working at PwC: Risk Assurance
Cyber Security Club
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Online Workshop: Developing Thesis Statements
The Writing Center
Thursday, November 5, 2020
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Intern Panel
Actuarial Society
Thursday, November 5, 2020
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

In an effort to recognize the outstanding work of the student organizations at Baruch, the Office of Student Life is excited to begin accepting nominations for Student Organization of the Month for the month of October! Nominate an organization whose actions, experiences, and/or activities have had a substantial impact on the Baruch College community. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. You can submit your form on MyBaruch.

Our free immigration lawyer services are up and running. The Undergraduate Student Government and the Graduate Student Assembly provide current undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to speak with an immigration lawyer twice a semester. Appointments can be scheduled for the of Fall 2020 semester. Please make an appointment via our online form on the Student Life website. Make sure to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

The Office of Student Life presents the LGBTQ+ Resources webpage! This page lists resources on- and off-campus that provide information and support for all Baruch students who identify as LGBTQ+ or are allies of the community. Visit the LGBTQ+ Resources webpage.

In response to the current environment, the Counseling Center offers free and confidential individual and group counseling and Support sessions:

Individual Counseling

Please visit the Counseling Center’s website or email
Counseling@Baruch.cuny.edu.

Group Counseling

Are you struggling with a new transition, feeling lonely, wanting to make new connections or having trouble in your relationships? The Counseling Center is offering two groups called Relationship to Self and Others, during 2020-2021. The groups are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. on Zoom. To participate, in the Tuesday group, please send an email to Jenny Choi at Jenny.Choi@Baruch.cuny.edu. To participate in the Thursday group, please send an email to Kai Lin Fu at Kailin.Fu@Baruch.cuny.edu.

Wednesdays: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. via Zoom

Dear Black students,

In light of the recent events of racial violence and injustice towards Black, African American and African descendant communities, the Baruch College Counseling Center would like to remind you of and invite you to join Black Mental Health Matters. These support sessions aim to foster and support the growth, networking, collaboration, success, and well-being of Black Students. Past topics have included:

• Self-care during the pandemics (Covid-19 and Racism)  
• Being Black at Baruch  
• Intersecting Identities  
• BLM Movement and Advocacy  
• Power and privilege  
• Finding motivation  
• Coping with loss  
• Social distancing   
• Remote learning  
• Developing community  
• Power dynamics in and out of the classroom  
• Microaggressions  
• Food/Housing/financial insecurities

…and much more. If you are a Black student who is interested in finding a safe space to meet and talk with others who may have similar experiences, then these support sessions are for you. These support sessions are led by two Black Psychologists, Dr. Jael Amador and Dr. Gary Dillon, who work from a social justice and multicultural framework.

To participate in these support sessions, send an email to Dr. Jael Amador at Jail.Amador@baruch.cuny.edu from your Baruch student email account and we will send you the Zoom link.

In solidarity and support,
Drs. Amador & Dillon

Note: In a previous version of this post, it was brought to our attention that we used offensive language. Despite our intent, we acknowledge that our impact was hurtful. For that, we offer to you all our sincerest apologies and a commitment to continue to learn and grow as we continue our work. We have also corrected our communications on all platforms.

Join us for our second Virtual Baruch and Beyond Roundtable on November 10 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. focused on Social Justice! Take advantage of the chance to speak with alumni experts who:

• Provide services and advocate for marginalized groups through their work in government, nonprofit, and corporate worlds
• Help craft, advise, and lobby for progressive legislation to help change systemic injustices
• Tackle topics such as criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, healthcare reform and more!

Register on Zoom

Bearcat Bites with Swimming & Cross Country’s Amanda Lee.

Bearcat Staff Chats & Bearcat Bites: On Demand.

Athletics to Host 30 Day Fall Fitness Challenge, Open to Entire Baruch Community. To register, contact Dima Kamenshchik at Intramurals@baruch.cuny.edu.

Learn how to navigate the online class environment like a pro! Students can take the self-paced Blackboard-based course, “Are You Ready?” to learn all about technology requirements, online learning etiquette, and more. Log into Blackboard to get started.

Access the “Are You Ready?” Online Readiness Tool

1. Visit bbhosted.cuny.edu
2. Log into Blackboard using your CUNYfirst credentials
3. Look for the course under “My Organizations”

The Entrepreneurial Lunch & Learn webinar series this Fall 2020 can take your business aspirations to the next level. Use every opportunity you have! Grab some lunch, sit back, and learn something new during your lunch hour! Register today on the Baruch website!

It is an especially difficult time for many students, and SNAP can be a helpful resource. SNAP can assist with eligibility screenings, initial applications, re certifications, and other SNAP matters. We have English and Spanish-speaking staff and can use interpreter services for clients who speak other languages. In addition, we have staff members who can assist with healthcare, housing, and benefit concerns. Currently, our services are all offered over the phone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested individuals can call our intake line at 212-218-0503, option 2, and leave a message.

Mark Your Calendar. The 2021-2022 FAFSA will be available on October 1st, at studentaid.gov. Don’t forget to obtain or retrieve your Federal Student Aid ID at fsaid.ed.gov to sign the 2020-2021 FAFSA electronically; If dependent, at least one of your parents will need one, too. Baruch’s Federal Code is 007273. The NYS TAP (NY residents only) code is 1409

To learn about contributing your student group materials to the Baruch College Archives, on the Baruch College website.

Get On Board With A 25% Discount For NJ TRANSIT Mobile Student Monthly Passes. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to purchase a rail, bus, or light rail mobile student monthly pass at 25% off the regular monthly pass price, when they enroll online through NJ TRANSIT’s Mobile Student program. Sign Up for your NJ TRANSIT Mobile pass today! For more information, contact Brandy Peer at brandy.peer@baruch.cuny.edu.