Bearcat Buzz – February 11, 2021

Friday, February, 12: College Closed
Monday, February 15: Presidents’ Day/College Closed

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.

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.

If you are finishing your coursework in the Spring, Summer or Fall terms, apply now for graduation! Login to your Student Center in CUNYfirst to complete the online application for graduation or submit an Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar. For more information, please email GraduationAudits@baruch.cuny.edu.

Application Deadlines
Summer: June 15 (online application opens February 16)
Fall: September 15 (online application opens June 16)
Spring: February 15 (online application opens September 16)

We invite the entire Baruch community to celebrate Black History Month 2021, a celebration that provides the opportunity for our community to reflect on the significant roles that people of the African Diaspora have played in the shaping of United States history. The goal of BHM 2021 is to provide opportunities to educate on, celebrate and advocate for the diversity that exists in the world today. Follow us on Instagram @BHM_Baruch for Black history facts, live interviews and more.

Black Generational Wealth
Tuesday, February 16 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
“Get the bag!!” We hear this phrase all the time, but how do you really get it? Join Vidal Peoples, Licensed Securities and Wealth Manager and Baruch alum, for a discussion on how to build Black generational wealth and how to invest the Black dollar.

A Walk in My Shoes: A Conversation with Black Sons and Fathers
Wednesday, February 17 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Join the Robert C. Weaver Society, in collaboration with the Black Male Initiative at Baruch College, for a panel composed of Black father/son dyads who will be exploring the lived experiences of Black males. In particular, Black men will share their inter-generational knowledge of raising and/or growing up as Black men in America and surviving racial adversity (racism, microaggressions, stereotyping, bias, etc.) while building resilience.

BLS Open House: Celebrating 50 Years of BLS@Baruch
Thursday, February 18 | 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Join the Department of Black and Latinx Studies to celebrate their 50-year anniversary at Baruch and to learn more about their plans for the future.

Carnival/Carnaval! Celebrating the Great Afro-Latinx Tradition in the Americas
Thursday, February 18 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Carnival (known as Carnaval in Brazil and in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries) is one of the most colorful, joyous, and fascinating traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also one of the most important contributions of the Afro-Latinx and Afro-Caribbean communities to the region. Join the conversation with Baruch professors Tshombe Miles, Rojo Robles (Department of Black and Latinx Studies) and Gisele Regatao (Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions) to hear more about the origins, traditions, and impact of the great Afro-Latinx Carnival/Carnaval tradition in the Americas. Hosted by The Initiative for the Study of Latin America.

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

Self-Love Valentine’s Day
Our Beauty in All Sizes
Thursday, February 18, 2021
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

General Interest Meeting
Women Empowered for Success
Thursday, February 18, 2021
12:30 – 2:30 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 Spring 2021 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 is currently recruiting students, faculty, and staff to help plan Asian Pacific American History Month (APAHM) for Spring 2021! Sign up on MyBaruch. Have questions? Please contact Talia Gurstel, Assistant Director of Student Activities at talia.gurstel@baruch.cuny.edu

Dear Faculty, Students, Staff, and Alums,
The Ombuds offers an avenue for Baruch-based support and stress reduction to all members of our community. All have access to the opportunity to share concerns and consider options as they manage conflicts within our distant but connected College campus.
The Ombuds office is open for Zoom meetings. All members of the Baruch community are welcome to discuss with the Ombuds unresolved conflicts they are experiencing involving other members of the Baruch community. The Baruch Ombuds offers a confidential, neutral, and independent space to discuss these challenges.

The Ombuds also offers Ombuds Open Office (OOO) hours on Zoom  Meeting ID: 898 4158 9501 on Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. to provide information about the role of the Ombuds and how the Ombuds can help. Those who visit during the OOOs will be offered 10 minutes of private conversation to briefly discuss concerning issues, provide referrals, and arrange follow-up meetings. These brief individual meetings take place on a first-come, first-served basis with the Ombuds admitting a person to the Zoom session only when the previous 10-minute meeting has ended and when the next time slot becomes available. For more information visit the Baruch website.

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.

Black Mental Health Matters (BMHM) Support Sessions for Baruch Students

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 CUNY LGBTQI+ Advocacy Academy
Facilitated by James Vacca, the program will focus on political advocacy, policy development, community organizing, and civic engagement. Students accepted into this program will be offered a monthly stipend. Apply by filling out the Advocacy Academy Google form.

The CUNY LGBTQI+ Leadership Program
Facilitated by Dr. David Rivera, this program will focus on social justice, social-emotional learning, sociocultural identity development, and community engagement. Apply by filling out the Leadership Google form.

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.

The Application is now LIVE to apply for the Financial Women’s Association Mentoring Program! The FWA Mentoring Program is a two-year program in which undergraduate women are matched with a mentor in the financial field. The program also provides professional development and networking opportunities for mentees. Rising juniors who have TWO full years left of undergraduate studies are eligible to apply. Additionally, eligible applicants must hold a 3.5 GPA or higher, and be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Apply on the Baruch website.

Connecting with fellow students and building community is especially important during COVID times. This semester’s Conversation Partners Program is about to begin. All meetings and events will take place online this fall semester. Are you interested in joining?

The Conversation Partners Program matches native and nonnative speakers of English for informal conversations. It is a great way for nonnative students to gain confidence in English, for native speakers to gain experience in communicating across language barriers, and for both native and nonnative speakers to expand their cultural knowledge, make friends, and build a network of professional contacts. To participate, you should commit to meeting your partner at least six times this semester for about an hour each. If you meet seven times, you will receive a certificate—a great way to enhance your resume. The CPP also offers fun events throughout the semester. To learn more and to sign up, visit the Baruch website. To sign up, please click on “Application” and fill out the Application Form on the website. The deadline for signing up is Wednesday, Feb. 24

Planning to study abroad, but wondering how to pay for it? At this information session, we will examine the different study abroad funding opportunities available. Tuesday, February 16th from 12:45- 2:00 p.m. via zoom. We will discuss the application process, talk about preparing a competitive study abroad scholarship application, and give you tips on how to plan ahead—academically, financially and personally. The study abroad scholarships that will be highlighted include: The Gilman Scholarships and the Freeman-ASIA Awards.

ARC facilities remain closed through February 28.

A Total of 123 Student-Athletes Named to Fall Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll.

Bearcat Bites with Victoria Kisling of Softball & Tennis.

Sweatheart Challenge Returns February 14 to 28.

CUNYAC/HSS Winter Feature: Amanda Lee, Baruch.

Happy New Year! Baruch alumni and students are invited to join us for this special two-part program on Thursday, February 18 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

1. Cultural: A 15-minutes segment on how three different countries – China, Vietnam, and Korea – celebrate Lunar New Year. There will be a 5 minutes presentation for each country to discuss the special celebration/traditions for the region.
2. Professional: After the cultural portion, we will have four virtual industry breakout rooms with short presentations, followed by Q&A and networking RSVP on the Baruch website.

We Power NYC is looking for New Yorkers ages 14-24 who are passionate about civic engagement, voting, and democracy to join our 2021 We Power NYC Ambassador team! This paid opportunity will run from February through November 2021 and Ambassadors will earn up to $175 per month for 10-15 hours of work. For the time being, this opportunity will be entirely virtual.

We Power NYC Ambassadors are a community of young people who care about our city and our democracy. Ambassadors will be expected to complete weekly tasks, long-term projects, and engage in regular meetings. The Ambassadors will be trained to become the next generation of community leaders in New York City. Participating in the program provides not only an opportunity to work alongside a city agency and learn more about voting and local government, but also to develop leadership, public speaking, and community organizing skills. Ambassadors will be required to:

– Regularly attend weekly virtual meetings
– Share crucial election and voting information with their peers
– Participate in projects with the Campaign Finance Board staff
– Produce original content for social media
– Complete a final research project
– Host Get Out the Vote Events

17 members will be selected for the 2021 program. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Young New Yorkers of all experience levels and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Apply to be a We Power NYC Ambassador!

Bank of Montreal Capital Markets will be hosting a virtual information session on Thursday, February 18th 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET for their Equity through Education Partners. This is a great opportunity for students to join BMO over the lunch hour to learn more about BMO Capital Markets prior to their internship application deadline: March, 7, 2021! Register today! Whether or not you are able to attend the event if you are interested in applying for the BMO Summer Internship Program please email samantha.brown@baruch.cuny.edu.

Start the Spring semester off strong. File your 2021-2022 FAFSA today at studentaid.gov. Don’t forget to obtain or retrieve your Federal Student Aid ID at fsaid.ed.gov to sign the 2021-2022 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.

Join NYCIGF@Baruch for a virtual celebration of the Year of the Ox on Tuesday, February 16^th from 6:oo – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom! The program will feature traditional Chinese dance and folk music performed by students from Shanghai International Studies University’s Arts Education Center. Our Chinese guests will also detail Spring Festival customs and traditions rooted in more than 3,000 years of history. Additionally, students from Baruch’s Confucius Institute will demonstrate their Mandarin prowess via poem and song. This event is open to all members of the Baruch College Community and their guests with RSVP. Any questions may be directed to Matthew.LePere@baruch.cuny.edu.

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.

December 2020 Reports
181 students were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students in the month of December. Of those:
– 114 were for cheating
– 24 were for plagiarism
– 42 were for obtaining an unfair advantage
– 01 were for falsifying documentation

Findings in December
– 73 were found “Responsible”
– 03 were found “Not Responsible”
– 17 allegations were withdrawn

Note: Cases reported at the end of November were adjudicated in December. The numbers reported here include cases reported in both November and December. Of all the cases submitted in December, 141 were reported after the last day of classes (December 12, 2020). These reports account for 78% of the cases submitted to the Office of the Dean of Students in December.

Administrative Sanctions
Of the 73 students found responsible in November:
– 68 received a Warning
– 05 received Probation

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.)

Fall 2020
In Fall 2019, 62 academic integrity cases were reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. In contrast, Fall 2020 saw 377 cases reported—an increase by more than 600%.

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