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El Semanario Hostosiano/ The Hostos Weekly. A Campus-Wide Weekly Bulleting from the Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
Friday, April 30, 2021 | Vol. 2 No. 14, Spring 2021 Semester 
MESSAGE FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS
My Dear Colleagues and Students,

These past several days have brought us much that is hopeful and much to be grateful for, as we continue our intentional work to come even closer to a successful end of this academic year.

We received this disappointing news this week about having a vaccination site at Hostos. Despite much work and the designation of the college as a site, the project has been at this time put on hold as a determination of demand before an additional site is opened. That being said, please be sure to continue to share with our students and other colleagues the need to have the Hostos family fully vaccinated. In conversation with a number of colleagues, I have been gratified to hear that many have already had their second dose of the vaccine. Please see Tuesday’s email update for sister CUNY colleges nearby who are serving as vaccination sites if you are in need of an appointment. We have also shared announcements about the support for study for final exams being made available at our Library and computer labs, beginning May 10. As always, I thank you for your generous support of our students’ successful completion of the semester.

Generosity is palpable at Hostos, and engagement of so many in multiple cultural, health and other informational meetings are commendable. I celebrate the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department for their collaborative spirit and intelligent contributions. It was a delight to share two activities with them last Friday, one in the morning the other in the evening. Our students’ participation and questions during the evening program were a credit to their thoughtfulness and the teaching and mentoring of their professors. Bravi! Other activities to celebrate? Consider the Mother Earth celebrations during Earth Week and the generous contributions of our Natural Sciences colleagues and students; the Nasry Michelen Lecture series presentation; the collaboration of our Health and Wellness colleagues and faculty members in Behavioral and Social Sciences in a program to inform and to share strategies about teaching and wellness during and post pandemic. There is so much more to look forward to these next few weeks as we celebrate students’ achievements. We remain hopeful and are ever so grateful.

Mil gracias y bendiciones, Daisy
 
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
Interim President
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, CUNY
A POEM TO INVITE REFLECTION
I am so delighted to share with you a poem submitted for all of our reflection by our students in Professor Milsom’s ENG 214 class, with pride, hope and love for the coming generation.

Weather 
By Claudia Rankine


On a scrap of paper in the archive is written
I have forgotten my umbrella. Turns out
in a pandemic everyone, not just the philosopher,
is without. We scramble in the drought of information 
held back by inside traders. Drop by drop. Face                               
covering? No, yes. Social distancing? Six feet
under for underlying conditions. Black.
Just us and the blues kneeling on a neck
with the full weight of a man in blue.
Eight minutes and forty-six seconds.                                                     
In extremis, I can’t breathe gives way
to asphyxiation, to giving up this world,
and then mama, called to, a call
to protest, fire, glass, say their names, say
their names, white silence equals violence,                                       
the violence of again, a militarized police
force teargassing, bullets ricochet, and civil
unrest taking it, burning it down. Whatever
contracts keep us social compel us now
to disorder the disorder. Peace. We’re out                                        
to repair the future. There’s an umbrella
by the door, not for yesterday but for the weather 
that’s here. I say weather but I mean
a form of governing that deals out death
and names it living. I say weather but I mean                                    
a November that won’t be held off. This time                                   
nothing, no one forgotten. We are here for the storm 
that’s storming because what’s taken matters.

Rankine, Claudia. “Weather.” New York Times, 20 June 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/books/review/claudia-rankine-weather-poem-coronavirus.html. Accessed 21 April 2021. 
Student Responses to the Poem
Emely Mejia Lopez:
Claudia Rankine’s poem explains that we are going through a very difficult time with the Coronavirus pandemic as thousands of innocent and good people are killed. In addition, we are also going through a very difficult time with the injustice of the police against people of color. The police are discriminating against people for their skin color and mercilessly killing people, as they did with George Floyd. The poem says, however, that no matter how big the storm is, we have to be strong and fight together against this coronavirus. We also have to fight so that police brutality against black people and all people of color ends, for the sake of our rights as citizens.
Vanessa Mena:
Claudia Rankine’s poem “Weather” is very important because it reflected the year 2020. The difficulties we the people, America, and world have gone through in the coronavirus pandemic. We had little information, we had to stay six feet apart, and social distance. In the midst of the pandemic, the horrific killing of George Floyd: the “eight minutes and forty-six seconds” video, a black man saying and screaming “I Can’t Breathe” and yelling for his mother. Shocked, angry, and heartbroken – millions of people. People protested, rioted, saying the names of George Floyd and many others, fighting for justice and equality.
Joseline Fernandez: 
I believe that Claudia Rankine’s poem “Weather” is important because it speaks of the very hard year that was 2020. In line 10—“Eight minutes and forty-six seconds”—Rankine references the death and murder of George Floyd. These deaths by the police continue to happen, but I remember that at that time, it was a death that pushed people to go out and protest because of another unfair murder of an African American man. This poem still resonates with us in 2021 because we continue to see these cases of police brutality, and George Floyd's killer recently received his conviction. Reading the poem, you can feel the anger that Rankine is putting into her words. It symbolizes the anger that was sparked in many because of this abuse of power.
Lisette Ocampo:
Claudia Rankine wrote “Weather” to explain the chaos COVID caused and how it greatly it impacted every single human around the world. She gives a visual of what people had to do – wear face masks and stay six feet apart from each other. I feel it is important to read poems related to what people are currently dealing with because it reminds everyone that they are not alone. Poems with great inspiration can change how someone sees things and understands them. I like the way she decided to title her poem, “Weather,” referring to the tragic causes of COVID and how people have had to work together to survive. In the end, we are one big family.
Students in the class
Liliana Beltre
Rosa M Bonilla
Jeff Charles
Armando De Los Santos
Adiara Amy Doumbia
Joseline Fernandez
Maria T Gomez
Yadira Harry
Tiffany Hernandez
Fanta Kande Diabate
Ariella Kessler
Ueda Llukaj
Amadou Boubacar Maiga
Emely Mejia Lopez
Vanessa A MenaBryan Molina
Lisette Ocampo
Rica Roberts
Angy Rodriguez
Kiara Sanchez
Jordy Santos
Angelica Maria Soler
Carmen Pilar Velasquez
Natalie Velazquez
Sandy Villafanez

MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY UPDATE
Submitted by MSCHE Steering Committee Co-Chairs Professor Kate S. Wolfe and Professor Nelson Nuñez-Rodríguez

Hostos Mission Fulfillment through the Analysis of Student Learning Assessment

The institutional effort providing English and Math skills development to our students is one of the six Hostos mission pillars. The assessment results of these efforts (Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment) provide an opportunity to demonstrate mission fulfillment aligned with institutional goals that are realistic, relevant and focused on student learning (Standard I: Mission and Goals). Standard V provides an opportunity to identify how we can strengthen effective practices that support the progress of student learning, evaluate the practice itself and demonstrate institutional commitment to develop essential skills such as written communication and quantitative reasoning (Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience).
 
All of these curricular and co-curricular processes focused on identifying, placing, and supporting students who are not prepared for Math and English college work also ensure compliance with Standard IV (Support of the Student Experience) and create an occasion to additionally demonstrate compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvement) as the institution can show resource allocation to support processes and programs aligned with the mission pillar focused on students’ Math and English skills development. 
 
Overall, the self-study allows the institution to appraise the value of using assessment results for the improvement of educational effectiveness, including curriculum improvement and refining processes that target learning improvement. Current efforts developing students’ Math and English skills definitely shows it. In addition, this analysis opens a window to holistically approach the conversation on Assessment in Higher Education. Assessment can be considered a human instinct. We constantly ponder pros and cons in our daily life decisions and use evaluation tools in our scholarly practices. Looking at the higher education landscape, the available assessment tools give an opportunity to appraise and support the beauty and complexity of our students’ personal and academic experiences while understanding and improving processes that enhance their academic momentum. 
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Submitted by Associate Director of Institutional Research and Assessment, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Assessment Dereck Norville-Bowie

AES Program Reflection Process Presentation at the Assessment Network of New York (ANNY) Conference 

In previous newsletters the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Assessment (OIERA) has shared many updates about the burgeoning, redesigned, and reimagined assessment processes and structures that the college has undertaken the past few years. I refer to these years as an “Assessment Renaissance.” Although it may not be immediately evident, the work happening at Hostos is creative, thoughtful, and (in many ways) groundbreaking and innovative.  
 
A few months ago, I submitted a proposal to present on one of these processes (the AES Program Reflection Process) at the Assessment Network of New York’s Annual Conference; and it was accepted! 
 
Last Tuesday, on April 20, I delivered the presentation titled, “Reimagining a More Reflective and Meaningful Periodic Assessment Process for AES Units,” to a large group of assessment professionals from institutions of higher education across the entire state. The session focused on Hostos’ journey of redesigning its periodic assessment process to be more reflective, engaging, and useful for AES units, including sharing about the inquiry-based processes used to do this and highlighting key features of the new AES Program Reflection process.  
 
The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic and punctuated with excitement and interest. In fact, immediately following the session six assessment professionals at other institutions reached out to learn more, with more peers doing so over the past week (including CUNY colleagues, someone from the University of Toronto, and the head of Library Assessment at Pace University).  
 
Such a response to the presentation validates that the effort, energy, and creativity deployed at Hostos to reimagine a stronger and more meaningful assessment infrastructure isn’t for naught. Hostos Community College is positioning itself to be a leader in assessment practice and that’s something we can all feel proud of.
GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Submitted by Eric Radezky, Ph.D., Director of Governmental and External Affairs

Federal Announcements on Funeral Assistance and Stimulus Checks for Social Security Recipients
 
Thank you to our Bronx Members of Congress, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman and their offices for providing the following important updates.
 
Assistance with COVID-19 Funeral Expenses
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is now reimbursing families for COVID related funeral expenses. The maximum reimbursement offered through FEMA is $9,000 per burial. In order to apply, call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Hotline: 844-684-6333 or TTY: 800-462-7585, open 9AM to 9PM Eastern.

Applicants must provide a death certificate indicating COVID-19 was directly, indirectly or likely the cause of death; documentation of funeral expenses such as receipts or a funeral home contract, that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred; and proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. For more details, please click here
 
Please note there have been reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for this program. FEMA has not authorized anyone to do that, so any phone call, text or email offering to register you for this service is a scam. You must initiate the process yourself by calling the phone number above.
 
Economic Impact Payments for Social Security Recipients
Social Security recipients and others who have not yet received their Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 from the American Rescue Plan should expect to see electronic payments hit their bank accounts or be loaded onto their Direct Express Cards this week. The list includes those who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits and who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return or did not use the Non-Filers tool. 
 
Most payments will be automatically deposited into banks accounts or loaded onto the Direct Express Cards where they receive Social Security benefits. For New Yorkers awaiting a paper check or debit card, some checks have been mailed already, but most will find their paper checks or debit cards in the mail over the next several weeks. Visit online and check the status of your payment using the “Get My Payment” tool at: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
 
If you need help accessing these programs or other services, call your Congressperson for assistance:
Congressman Torres: 718-503-9610
Congressman Espaillat: 646-740-3632
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortéz: 718-662-5970
Congressman Bowman: 718-530-7710
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Submitted by Coronavirus Campus Coordinator, Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management

As the academic and fiscal years come to an end, we are happy to report that the college managed to remain financially solvent. This was partly a result of federal stimulus funding (such as the CARES Act). CUNY enabled the colleges to use a portion of the funds to cover gaps resulting from State and City budget cuts.

It has been a tough year for us, financially, but we are weathering the storm. We are hoping for better news as we look to next year’s operating budget.
Open Lab and Library Availability During Final Exam Period (Recurring notice)

For two weeks in May, the Open Computer Lab and Library will temporarily reopen to support our students as they prepare for their Spring 2021 final exams.

The Student Computing Center (SCC) and Library each announced this exciting news earlier this week. They will continue to share information ahead of this temporary reopening, including the dates and hours of availability, how to schedule a (required) appointment, and the safety measures everyone will need to follow.

Library

What will be available:
Space for individual study at the long table in the Reading Room.

When: 
Starting Monday, May 10, and ending Thursday, May 20.

Hours of operation:
Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

Students will be able to reserve a 1 hour, 45-minute time slot.

Who can be there during those hours:
Eighteen (18) students will be allowed during each time slot.
Five (5) Library faculty and staff will be on-site each day
to provide support to students and distribute devices as needed.


Open Computer Lab
Student Computing Center

What will be available:
The Open Computer Lab in C-595. 

When: 
Starting Monday, May 10, and ending Monday, May 26.

Hours of operation:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
11 a.m. through 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Students will be able to reserve a 30-minute time slot.

Who can be there during those hours:
Students will be allowed to use one of thirty (30) available computers.
Students will also be able to do color and black/white printing or copying.
Student Help Desk Staff will be on-site each day to provide support to students.

The Library and Student Computing Center developed their own plans. They will have measures in place to limit occupancy, provide a safe environment, and ensure everyone follows campus guidelines. Reopening for these two weeks will also help the Library and Open Computer Lab prepare for operations during Fall 2021.
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Hostos Community College To Celebrate 2021 Graduating Class With Digital Commencement Ceremony (Recurring notice)
 
Graduation Information
All are welcome to join the Hostos Community College 2021 digital commencement ceremony on Friday, May 28, 2021. at 2 p.m. on Hostos’ YouTube.

Caps and gowns orders are accepted through May 1 using this link.
Graduation candidates are encouraged to email one photo, one 280-character quote or message, Empl ID, and degree/major to commencementRSVP@hostos.cuny.edu for inclusion in the digital ceremony by the new deadline of Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Robin Hood Foundation COVID-19 Relief Grant for Student Emergency Assistance and Tuition Support
 
The Hostos Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a generous $150,000 grant award from the Robin Hood Foundation to provide assistance to students who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
 
Of the total amount, $100,000 is allocated for emergency assistance to help students with basic needs, such as eviction prevention, medical expenses, childcare, utility bills and groceries. The maximum award will be $1,000 per student, but the amount will vary based on individuals’ unique needs. To apply, students must provide documentation of their need, such as an outstanding utility or medical bill, and must also submit a personal statement detailing how the award will impact them.
 
The remaining $50,000 is dedicated toward providing tuition support; awards will range from $500-$1,000. Students must specify that they are requesting tuition support and submit a personal statement explaining how this financial assistance will empower them to persist and graduate.
 
The applications for both emergency assistance and tuition support are available online. For questions or assistance, please contact Ms. Ana Robles Jimenez at 929-260-0389 or aroblesjimenez@hostos.cuny.edu.
 
Please encourage students to apply at their earliest convenience and note that the application deadline is June 18, 2021.
 
The Hostos Community College Foundation extends its profound gratitude to the Robin Hood Foundation for its continued support of our students and the mission of the College.
The John Anthony Chardavoyne Endowed Scholarship at Hostos
 
The Hostos Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that The John Anthony Chardavoyne Endowed Scholarship will award its first student recipients in the Spring 2022 semester. This $75,000 scholarship endowment honors the memory of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Mr. Chardavoyne was an adventurous spirit and avid traveler, and this scholarship is a lasting tribute to his gift of spreading joy and happiness to everyone he met.
 
Awards will be made without consideration for financial or legal status. Eligibility is reserved for full-time students who are enrolled in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Program and working towards completion of a Historical Studies Option sequence. Students must have a demonstrated interest in community service and at least a 3.0 GPA. Two awards of $500 each will be awarded annually to graduating students who intend to matriculate into a four-year degree program.
 
Applications will be received through the College’s scholarship management system. Students will be required to answer three essay questions detailing why they chose historical studies; what they have gained from these classes in the sequence and will apply to their future endeavors; and why they engage in community service activities and what they gain from these experiences.
 
The Foundation extends its profound gratitude to the family of Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne and to the many friends who have helped to make this impactful scholarship opportunity possible.
 
If you would like to make a contribution in support of The John Anthony Chardavoyne Endowed Scholarship, please click Make a Gift below.
 
Nasry Michelen Foundation Scholarship Awards

The Hostos Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a $7,000 contribution from the Nasry Michelen Foundation to provide two scholarship awards at the 2021 Honors Convocation Ceremony, which will be available for view on May 25, 2021. This gift is part of a $57,000 donation in total, with $50,000 earmarked for the intended Nasry Michelen Foundation Scholarship Endowment at Hostos. 

For Honors Convocation, two scholarships of $3,500 each will be awarded to graduating students who have demonstrated academic excellence and who intend to continue their education at a four-year institution. Eligible students will have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and must be receiving a degree in an Allied Health or a Public Health Administration Degree Program.

The applications for this scholarship must be submitted with the completed Nasry Michelen Foundation Scholarship form, which can be obtained via the scholarship webpage here. ­­Along with the completed form, applicants must submit: a personal statement that is a minimum of one page in length; three letters of recommendations; and a copy of their transcript. The personal statement should reflect the applicant’s character, background, and community service experience. It should also detail the applicant’s educational and professional goals and illustrate how this scholarship will empower them to attain those goals. The requested letters of recommendation must be written by a professional in the health field or an academic acquaintance, such as a faculty or staff member. Letters from family or friends of the applicant will not be accepted. 

For questions or assistance with the application process, please contact Ms. Mayi Libfeld at 718-518-4166 or by email at mlibfeld@hostos.cuny.edu

Please encourage eligible students to apply at their earliest convenience and note that the application deadline is Tuesday, May 11, 2021

The Hostos Community College Foundation extends its profound appreciation to the Nasry Michelen Foundation for making this impactful investment in Hostos students.
Support the Hostos 20.21 Class Campaign and Student Success

The Hostos 20.21 Class Campaign, culminating at the College’s Spring Commencement Ceremony in May 2021, invites you to celebrate our newest graduates while enabling student success. Gifts of $20.21 or more will make a significant, collective impact on our students, helping them to persist and earn their degrees. Hostos equips its students to carve their own pathways and launch their futures – and now the next generation of Caimans is preparing to soon go forth and achieve their goals.

Support the Hostos 20.21 Class Campaign, our growing alumni family, and student success by making your $20.21 gift today!

VIRTUAL EVENTS
Office of Educational Technology (Recurring Notice) 
EdTech has developed a series of workshops which offer resources to help students familiarize themselves with Blackboard and other technologies used for online learning. To enroll for an instructor-led online workshops, click here.
 
Hire me: A Guide To Cover Letters, Thank You Notes And The Reference List
Career Services Office | Friday, April 30 | 1-1:45 p.m.
One of the most common forms of professional correspondence is the cover letter, which employers typically request with your resume when you apply for a position. This workshop provides guidance on writing a cover letter and introduces other important forms of correspondence.

Say the Word: Disability
Accessibility Resource Center | Friday, April 30, 21 at 1 p.m.
An empowering discussion on Identity first language and Disability Culture

Nontraditional Careers Workshop
Career Services Office | Wednesday, May 5 | 3:15-4 p.m.
Consider a nontraditional occupation. A non-traditional occupation is defined as any occupation in which women or men comprise less than 25% of the workforce. Learn about the benefits of pursuing a nontraditional career.

Save-the-Date | The Chauvin Trial and Guilty Verdicts: Reflections on Justice and Race in America?
Criminal Justice Department | Thursday, May 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Zoom details forthcoming

Virtual 2021 #BronxEdTech Showcase 
EdTech Center for Teaching and Learning | Friday, May 7
The three Bronx CUNY colleges, Lehman College, Hostos and Bronx Community Colleges present “Building Tomorrow Together: Adapting to a New Normal” 
Visit the Bronx EdTech Showcase website to register and for more information.
 
How-To: Job Applications & the W-4 Form
Career Services Office | Friday, May 7 | 1-1:45 p.m.
Learn tips and advice for completing online job applications and the W-4 form.

All College Meeting: Academic Year End Gathering 
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | 3 p.m.

Email Etiquette Workshop
Career Services Office | Wednesday, May 12 | 3:15-4 p.m.
In this email etiquette workshop, you’ll learn techniques and strategies to get the results you want for your career. Learn how to write a well-crafted subject line and more!

Hostos WIPA Program 3rd Annual Transition Age Youth Conference Agenda
Continuing Education and Workforce Development | Thurs., May 13 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Featuring Disability Rights of New York

Honors Convocation | Save the Date
May 25, 2021| Time and link forthcoming

Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony
Office of the President | Friday, May 28 | 2 p.m.
Live streamed on via the Hostos YouTube channel

Virtual Career Fair for Recent Graduates
Career Services Office | Wednesday, June 9 | 12-4 p.m.
Meet employers with internships and job opportunities. Connect individually or in a group live video chat.
ABOUT EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO/THE HOSTOS WEEKLY
El Semanario Hostosiano/The Hostos Weekly is a weekly communication vehicle designed to unite our multiple voices as we share news about members of the Hostos family, provide updates on our work and upcoming events, and disseminate policy that impacts our work.
For inclusion in the Hostos Weekly, please send your items to:
publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu at least two weeks ahead of publication.
Please keep submissions to no more than two paragraphs of written content and note,
we are unable to add attachments to our publication.
 
Look for the Hostos Weekly each Friday.

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Office of the President | Office of Communications | 718-518-4300 | publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu