Bearcat Buzz – February 10, 2023

February 12-13: College Closed/No classes scheduled
February 14: Last day to Change or Declare a Major/Minor to be effective Spring 2023
February 20: College closed/No classes scheduled
February 21: Classes follow a Monday schedule

Baruch College will hold its 2023 Commencement Exercise on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Barclays Center located at 620 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. There will be one commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m., with both undergraduate and graduate students at the ceremony. For more information on caps and gowns, how to register, and more please visit the Student Life website. Continue to check the site regularly for more updates!

Our free immigration lawyer services are up and running. The Undergraduate Student Government provides currently registered undergraduate students with the opportunity to speak with an immigration lawyer twice a semester.  Appointments can be scheduled for the Spring 2023 semester. Please make an appointment on the Student Life website.

The theme for Black History Month 2023 is: “Black Resistance,” and it explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings,” since the nation’s earliest days. Find all the events listed on the Baruch website.

Follow us on Instagram @BHM_Baruch.

Check out the various clubs tabling in the NVC 2nd floor lobby every Tuesday and Thursday from February 7th to March 2nd. Every week different clubs will have a chance to showcase what their club is about and inform you on upcoming events planned for the semester. Meet student leaders at their tables and learn how to get more involved on campus!

The Counseling Center offers free and confidential individual and group counseling and Support sessions. Through culturally-responsive and trauma-informed counseling and psychological services, the Counseling Center assists students in achieving their academic and personal goals:

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 2022-2023. The groups are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. on Zoom. To participate, in the Tuesday group, please email Irene.Merring@Baruch.cuny.edu, to participate in the Thursday group, please email Tina.Lee@Baruch.cuny.edu.

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:

…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. We meet on Fridays at 2 pm.  

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.

Connecting with fellow students and being part of a community is important. This semester’s Conversation Partners Program is about to begin. 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 six times and fulfill a few other requirements (see CPP website), 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 here.

To sign up, please click on “Application” and fill out the Application Form on the website.

The deadline for signing up is Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Thursday, February 16
12:30-2:30 p.m. (Club Hours)
Auxiliary Gym (NVC Level B2)

Learn about dozens of study abroad opportunities! Speak to Baruch students who have already studied abroad and students from our partner institutions who are studying here now! Meet with representatives from a wide range of study abroad programs!

February, 22, 23, and 28
1:00-2:00p.m.

Join one of the TLDP Information Session to learn more about the program and how to apply. Bring your questions! The Technology Leadership Development Program (TLDP) is a year-long program dedicated to the professional development and advancement of students with a strong passion for a career in technology. The program was created to help students become more aware about the vast opportunities in technology and the necessary interpersonal and technical skills employers are looking for. RSVP now. For any questions email marion.viray@baruch.cuny.edu

The Starr Career Development Center will be hosting the 7^th Annual Undergraduate Diversity Career Expo on Tuesday, February 28^th  from 12:00-3:00p.m. EST.  This award-winning program is a collaborative effort with SEEK, Success Amplified/Success In Your Career, BMI, UMLA, ISLA and the Black History Month Planning Committee.  This year’s program will kick off with a keynote address on the importance and benefits of DEI in the workplace. Speaker TBA.  Students will have an opportunity to join DEI Breakout Room Discussions led by campus recruiters from various organizations.  DEI topics include diversity recruiting strategies, pipeline programs, employee resources groups, mentoring programs/support systems, and more). The program will conclude with a one-hour Networking Session where students and employers can connect, in group settings, and speak about job opportunities, company culture, the recruiting process, etc. Baruch Undergrads RSVP via Starr Search under Career Fairs & Expos.

Friday, February 24, 2023
9:30a.m. – 4:15p.m.

The Emerging Leaders Conference seeks to challenge current and future CUNY student leaders to be intentional with their work within their campus and community both in-person and virtually. This will be a robust schedule with remarks from VC Maybank, a CUNY Student Keynote Speaker, and a variety of leadership topics covered during the breakout sessions. Attendees can register to participate either in-person at Borough Manhattan Community College or virtually via Zoom. Register now. The conference registration deadline is Thursday, February 16th

Thursday, February 23
12:30-2:00p.m
Located: NVC, Room 14-250

The Alumni Relations office and the Operations Management students are hosting an operations management panel with several Baruch alumni in the industry. Join us for a chance to hear about their experience and careers, as well as a chance to network and sicuss your career! Space is limited, Register now.

Topic: Sustainability in Fashion

Create a for-profit social venture in the fashion/clothing industry and align it with a UN Sustainable goal. CUNY students will compete in teams for a chance to win and go to the semi-finals in Boston, following the Finals in Paris.  The info session will be held on January 31 at 12:30 p.m. on zoom and Lawrence N. Field Center For Entrepreneurship at Baruch College. Email muhammad.elbadri@baruchmail.cuny.edu for Organizing Committee, Sponsors, Experts, & Media.

Applications close: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
On-campus competition: Friday, February 24, 2023

Interested in supporting the 2023 Hult Prize Competition at Baruch College? Join the organizing committee. Team Responsibilities include recruiting, Promoting, Organizing, Training, & Reporting.

Open to all CUNY Students.

CUNY Clash is an ideas competition where students from 25 CUNY schools merge together, present ideas with the intent of solving a unique problem, and compete to win prizes. We urge you to challenge the status quo, meet new people, and work towards a common goal. Bring your ideas and make new ones! No idea is too big or small. Small gestures can have a big impact too! So create where it matters and join us this Spring 2023 at the ultimate creative battlefield. Compete and win $20,000 in cash prizes. Read more and apply on the CUNYstartups website. Applications close February 28!

Learn about the various career paths available to psychology undergrads and how to effectively prepare for the world of work.

Psychology as a Profession: Career Planning & Exploration
Thursday, March 9th, 12:40-2:00p.m.
Hybrid: Zoom + NVC 2-190

Resume & CV Writing for Psychology Majors 
Thursday, March 23rd, 12:40-2:00p.m.
Via Zoom

Job Search Strategies for Psychology Majors
Thursday, April 6th, 12:40-2:00p.m.
Via Zoom

Career Weeks Series: Liberal Arts & Sciences Career Panel
Thursday, April 20th 12:40-2:30p.m.
NVC 2-190

Register today!

Tuesday, February 14
12:45 – 2:00p.m
NVC 3-241/Office of Health & Wellness

Learn how to cultivate unconditional self-love into your life wholeheartedly through vision boarding and Reiki. This healing workshop includes a loving-kindness meditation, vision board activity and group Reiki healing. All of the vision board materials (paper, magazines, scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils and markers) will be provided. Presented by: Huh Healing Hub, LLC

Health is wealth! Be sure to visit the Student Health Care Center for your health needs.
Have access to packages such as annual physical exam, annual physical extended exam, GYN basic exam, GYN extended exam, STD/STI basic exam and STD/STI comprehensive exam. For package service prices visit the website or email studenthealthcarecenter@baruch.cuny.edu for more information. Located at 138 East 26th St., Ground Floor New York, NY 10010—Phone #646-312-2040

Upcoming Athletics Schedule (As of February 8, Subject to Changes)

Need Federal Student Aid for Spring 2023? File your 2022-2023 FAFSA Today! The 2022-2023 FAFSA is available, at https://studentaid.gov/. Don’t forget to obtain or retrieve your Federal Student Aid ID at fsaid.ed.gov to sign the 2022-2023 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 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, 2024. Read a message from the Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, Art King, for further details. * To anonymously report any hazing activity please fill out the Hazing Incident Report Form.

Email Hoaxes

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.

Job Scams

This is a reminder to bring your attention to recent job scams and email hoaxes. Although it is not from Starr Search, we want to bring it to your attention. Here is the latest job scam that we received: Job Scam. If you received these types of job scams, please delete it immediately and flag it as spam in your Baruchmail email system. Do not engage in any correspondence with the sender. Please read this announcement to on how to look out for warning signs and to better protect yourself against these hoaxes and scams.

Warning Signs
Look out for the following warning signs in any job posting you encounter:
·    Hiring manager promises a large salary with minimal work required.
·    Hiring manager offers you a position without any sort of interviewing process being conducted.
·    Hiring manager is using a personal email or an address that doesn’t match the company name.
·    The position expects you to transfer wire funds between accounts.
·    The company sends you a large check and requires you to cash it using your personal account.
·    The company/hiring manager asks for personal information like social security number or bank account.

Remember:
·    Do not deposit any check before you start working at a new job
·    Do not lend any money or pay fees to prospective employers
·    Do not share any personal information unless it is submitted to a trusted source
·    Be aware of any free checks or calls that look questionable and ask for personal information
·    Apply for jobs directly to company website, Starr Search and any other trusted source

For more information visit The Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information on Job Scams.

Resources for Reporting Suspicious Employers and Fraudulent Job Postings
Are you the victim of a fraudulent job posting? Please see the following resources available for you to get help.
·    Starr’s resources on how to avoid job scam.
·    Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Unit accepts reports of job scams and provides instructions for filing a complaint.
·    U.S. Department of Justice accepts reports of job scam incidents that have occurred over the Internet.

Remember to trust your instincts. If communication with an employer or company feels suspicious, end the communication immediately. Report fraudulent activity to us immediately. Please contact us at careerdc@baruch.cuny.edu.