Bearcat Buzz – November 13, 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.

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 October can be found below:

October Reports
68 students were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students in the month of October. Of those:
– 54 were for cheating
– 13 were for plagiarism
– 01 was for falsifying documents

Findings in October
– 57 were found “Responsible”
– 14 were found “Not Responsible”
Note: Cases reported at the end of September were adjudicated in October. The numbers reported here include cases from both September and October.

Administrative Sanctions
Of the 57 students found responsible in October:
– 31 received a Warning
– 22 received Probation
– 04 received Suspension

Academic Sanctions
The most common academic sanctions unofficially reported to the Office of Dean of Students included failure on exam/assignment and failure in the class. (Note: unless the faculty member formally notifies 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.)

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.

NSLS Success Networking Teams (SNT) Meeting
National Society of Leadership and Success
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Ascot Information Session
Actuarial Society
Tuesday, November 17
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Diwali Gala Event
Indian Student Association
Thursday, November 19
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Verse Battle
Dominican Student Association (ASEDOM)
Thursday, November 19
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

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.

On Friday, November 20, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., Hunter College alumnx, educator and trans activist, Gracie Manning, will share with our students, faculty, and staff her experience and strength followed by a presentation by Barbara Salva of Long Island TDOR and Gender Equality New York/GENY which includes spoken word, music and honoring the victims with a special photo display. Join Zoom Meeting.

All are welcome to attend an online LGBTQI+ self-defense workshop on Monday, November 23rd at 6:00 p.m. This empowering body-positive and gender affirming workshop led by Coach Mario Marin from Gay Fight Club at Team Red Planet in Bed-Stuy, is designed to teach trans and non-binary people, as well as all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, how to protect themselves from hate violence. Join Zoom Meeting.

– Currently enrolled at Baruch, pursuing a BBA, MBA or MS degree in Accounting or Taxation
– Meet minimum 3.2 GPA

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.

The Washington Program will select 12 of the best and brightest Black male sophomores in the country for a two summer program in Washington D.C. where you will live on George Washington’s campus, intern in your field of interest, take an academic seminar for credit, and meet with public and private sector leaders. Participants will receive housing and either a paid internship or provided with a stipend. We are looking for candidates who to want to benefit the lives of others in whatever field they choose. For more information visit The Institute’s Website.

The New York Collegiate Institute is looking for 12 of the best and brightest Black male sophomores in NYC to participate in an academic year long program where you will meet business leaders, elected officials, learn how to network with public and private sector leaders, explore professions you have not been exposed to, and hone your aspirations. Meetings will take place on alternating Saturdays throughout the academic year. Participants will receive a stipend for each meeting they attend. The application deadline is December 1, 2020. Learn more on The Institute’s website.

Bearcat Bites with Lauren Kraker of Women’s Tennis.

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.

ARC facilities remain closed through December 31. Visit BaruchAthletics.com for more information.

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”

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.