Bearcat Buzz – December 18, 2020

Sunday, December 20: End of Fall Term

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

It has come to our attention that students at Baruch College and other CUNY campuses have received a message with the subject “Important Message from College Finance Department.” The message offers a “covid-19 financial aid grant.” The message is not from the College; it is a scam designed to get students to divulge their personal information. If you have received this message, please delete it. If you responded to the message and provided your personal information, please contact helpdesk@baruch.cuny.edu for assistance with changing your passwords and taking further action, if necessary.

Remain Vigilant Against Scams and Phishing

The College has distributed previous warnings about email scams. Please keep the following in mind regarding any message you receive:

• Do not provide personal information (home address, user names, etc.) in response to emails, text messages, or websites that come from someone you do not know or from a suspicious email sender.
• Never provide your password in an email.
• Do not deposit checks from unknown senders.
• Do not click on links or open attachments in suspicious emails.
• Be wary of messages requesting urgent action.

While we work actively to identify and prevent these messages, our ability to keep users secure is critically dependent on the Baruch community being educated and skeptical about fraudulent messages. Please remain alert, as scams can happen at any time and dupe individuals of all ages and backgrounds and all levels of tech sophistication.

– Arthur Downing, PhD
Vice President for Information Services and Dean of the Library

For the Fall 2020 semester only, Baruch College has adopted a temporary policy to permit students to elect CR/NC grades with some course exceptions, as noted below.

– The CR/NC grade option permits a student to convert a course grade between B+ and D- to a grade of “CR” and a grade of F to a grade of “NC.”

– Neither the CR nor the NC is included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. The CR grade will allow the student to earn credit (for credit bearing courses) but is not factored into the GPA.

– If the student elects an NC grade in place of an F then it is not factored into the GPA, and the student will not earn the credit.

– A course with a grade of CR earned at one CUNY institution will transfer to another CUNY institution.

– Period to elect CR/NC:  TBD (election period will take place after fall grades have been submitted)

For more information please visit Baruch College’s website and read President Wu’s message to the Baruch community.

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 November can be found below:

November Reports
41 students were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students in the month of November. Of those:
– 14 were for cheating
– 24 were for plagiarism
– 03 were for obtaining an unfair advantage

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

Administrative Sanctions
Of the 68 students found responsible in November:
– 63 received a Warning
– 02 received Probation
– 03 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

The Black History Month Planning Committee is looking for creative students to join the team! We are looking for 2-3 Graphic Designers to create all marketing graphics for the month (i.e. Instagram posts, flyers, etc.) and 2-3 Social Media Coordinators (Instagram) to ensure events are being properly advertised on Instagram with all necessary information (i.e.: Zoom links, sign-up links, etc.). To volunteer for the positions, contact Crystal Tejada, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at crystal.tejada@baruch.cuny.edu.

The Office of Student Life is currently recruiting students, faculty and staff to join the Women’s History Month 2021 Planning Committee! Meetings will take place weekly starting Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 4:00 P.M. via Zoom. Sign up on MyBaruch.

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.

Bearcats Launch Jingle Bell Run/Walk/Wheel 5K/1K! Extended!
December 14- December 31. To support Baruch student emergency fund register on Baruch Athletics website and to find out more information.

Bearcats Bites with Adnan Bajrami of Men’s Basketball.

Video & Audio: All Fall Bearcat Chats & Bites (Features) Available On Demand

Intramurals: 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.

Childcare spaces are available at Baruch College Early Learning Center for the spring 2021 semester for children ages 2 through 5 of students, faculty and staff. The center will resume in-person childcare Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. beginning the week of January 25. The center is licensed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Visit the Early Learning Center’s website for more information.

Sign up NOW! Call or email:

Office: 212-387-1420
Cell: 646-261-2451 or 646-261-2462
Email: Lorraine.mondesir@baruch.cuny.edu

Chair Yoga

You can take a few minutes to de-stress and stretch with our latest Chair Yoga session. Watch this video today!

Bring the Virtual Balance​

Check out our latest Bring the Virtual Balance episode 3, Technically in a Relationship on Spotify or Anchor and reinforce ways to deal with stress. Learn the effects of technology on work-life balance and why we should have boundaries with out tech. To listen to Bring the Virtual Balance visit Anchor.com.

Baruch’s Max Berger Virtual 2021 Pre-Law Winter Institute – open to all Baruch students & alumni! January 4-8, 2021 RSVP ASAP! No separate application is required; however, you must register for each session independently. Participants attending each program in its entirety will receive a certificate of completion. Attendance will be taken. Questions? E-mail tina.coco@baruch.cuny.edu

Monday, January 4, 2021 | 9:30- 10:30 a.m. EST
Pre Law Orientation
Find out what you need to know about applying to law school & Baruch’s Max Berger Pre-Law Program. Get your questions answered. Register via Starr Search under the workshop tab. Zoom details will be provided.

Monday, January 4, 2021 | 12:45- 2:00 p.m. EST
I Survived My 1st Law School Semester!
Recent Baruch alumni that are current law students at Columbia; Fordham, Northwestern, Cornell, Washington & Lee and other law schools, will discuss their 1L experience at law schools throughout the NYC area & beyond. Hear about what each law school is doing to keep students safe during the pandemic. Register via Starr Search under the workshop tab. Zoom details will be provided.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 | 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. EST
Washington University School of Law Virtual Admission & Information Session 
Have you thought about attending law school outside of NY? Hear from Baruch students that have done just that! Joy Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Office of Admissions at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Mo, will be joined by Baruch alumni to provide an inside look at the programs and opportunities offered by this highly ranked law school. Register on Zoom.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST
2021 LSAT/Law School Prep Series at the NYC Bar Association
Students will attend workshops including pre law panel presentations including free LSAT Prep Classes, Law School Networking Fair, Financial Aid Q&A Panel, Law Student Q&A Panel. Register directly with the NYC Bar (www.nycbar.org) Check back for registration link.

Thursday, January 7 | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST
2021 LSAT/Law School Prep Series at the NYC Bar Association
Students will attend workshops including pre law panel presentations including, Free LSAT Prep Classes, Law School Networking Fair, Financial Aid Q&A Panel, Law Student Q&A Panel. Register directly with the NYC Bar (www.nycbar.org)  Check back for registration link

Friday, January 8, 2021 | 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Brooklyn Law School Virtual Admission & Information Session 
This webinar is designed for those who want to learn about Brooklyn Law School’s offerings and the admissions process. Register on the Brooklyn Law School website.

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.