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"Campus Update" is a weekly e-newsletter published by LaGuardia's Division of Communications and External Affairs to provide news and information to the college community.

NEWS

LaGuardia Launches 36th Year of Summer Youth Employment Program


LaGuardia Community College expects to serve 3,500 New Yorkers in the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in 2024, the program's 36th year here. SYEP gives young people opportunities for career exploration and paid work experience. If you know of any eligible participants (must be legally allowed to work in New York City and be a resident of the five boroughs aged 14-24) please encourage them to apply by March 1. To apply for LaGuardia’s SYEP, select Research Foundation-LaGuardia Community College, as the provider. Participants will be selected by random lotteries conducted by the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development.  


Youth ages 14 and 15 will participate in project-based learning on the LaGuardia campus and/or in a virtual setting. Participants ages 16-24 will be placed in paid internships with private companies or community-based organizations, including LaGuardia Community College,  


Coordinators are seeking SYEP worksites at LaGuardia. “Offices who host an SYEP intern often benefit from new perspectives the youth bring to their work. And there is no cost to the college—salaries are paid by the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development,” said Claudia Baldonedo, Ed.D., executive director of LaGuardia’s Youth Workforce Development Initiatives under which SYEP is housed. “The young person just needs support, guidance, leadership and mentoring.” LaGuardia faculty and staff interested in an SYEP host (with supervisor approval) should contact Samantha Perez at saperez@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5034. Questions can also be directed to Dr. Baldonedo at claudiab@lagcc.cuny.edu or (718) 482-5236.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Black History Month Events Scheduled in February 


LaGuardia Community College celebrates Black History Month during the month of February with a variety of activities and events hosted across campus. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the celebration was the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Click here to see the full schedule of events. 

CEA Offers Professional Headshots for Faculty and Staff


LaGuardia’s Communications and External Affairs Division is hosting a series of “Photo Days” for faculty and staff who need to update their professional headshots! The Photo Days are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room E-509. Book your timeslot here for one of the following dates:


  • Wednesday, March 13
  • Wednesday, April 10
  • Wednesday, May 15
  • Wednesday, June 12


For more information contact Anastasia Figuera, photographer, Ext. 7471.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

LaGuardia Named Semi-Finalist for IDEAS Grant 


LaGuardia is a semi-finalist for the IDEAS Grant: Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students, a grant funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Cultural and Education Affairs. Out of 173 applicant institutions, approximately half were selected to proceed to Phase II. Dr. Maria Savva, a professor in the Education and Language Acquisition (ELA) Department, will be leading the effort with the support of other members of the ELA Department, including Dr. Arthur Lau and Dr. Tomonori Nagano. The $35,000 grant will support creative ways to provide LaGuardia students with increased access to study abroad opportunities. Phase II applications are due in April. Finalists will be notified in June.

Social Sciences Department Presents Robert Fitch Memorial Lecture on March 18 


Robin D. G. Kelley, Distinguished Professor and Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA, will be delivering the Robert Fitch Memorial Lecture on March 18, from 1-2 p.m. in the Little Theater. Dr. Kelley’s lecture is titled, “From the Waterfront to the Sea: Working Class Democracy and the Question of Palestine.” Dr. Kelley’s books include the award-winning, Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists During the Great Depression, Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination, Race Rebels: Culture Politics and the Black Working Class, Yo’ Mama’s DisFunktional!: Fighting the Culture Wars in Urban America, Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times, Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, and Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies, co-edited with Colin Kaepernick and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. Kelley is currently completing two books, Making a Killing: Cops, Capitalism, and the War on Black Life and The Education of Ms. Grace Halsell: An Intimate History of the American Century. His essays have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Nation, New York Times, Spectre, Monthly Review, Dissent, New Labor Forum, and The Boston Review, for which he also serves as contributing editor. He is also a member of Scholars for Social Justice and serves on the board of Palestine Legal. For more information contact the Social Sciences Department at (718) 482-5785. 

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Save the Date: Faculty Book Adoption Trainings on March 13 and April 11


There will be two CUNY-wide faculty adoption training webinars for faculty to learn how to navigate the new online bookstore portal. These 20-minute sessions will enhance your understanding of the adoption process and ensure that you can efficiently communicate essential textbook information to your students. Use the links below to access the training sessions:



Both sessions will cover the same material, so you only need to attend one.

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Tickets On Sale for “Working: A Musical” on February 15, 16, 23, and 24 


The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) presents “Working: A Musical,” a vivid portrait of everyday workers. The show is based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel’s bestselling book “Working” (1975) featuring interviews with American workers. It was first performed on Broadway in 1978, receiving several Tony nominations. In 2012, it was updated to incorporate songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Taylor, and other artists. LPAC’s production of “Working: A Musical” weaves seminal historical moments of Western Queens, e.g., the development of 5Pointz, with glimpses into the daily lives of CUNY students, employees, and community members. The cast is comprised of a blend of professional performers, LaGuardia students, faculty staff, and local community members, who responded to open casting calls for the show. Reserve your tickets today for performances on February 15, 16, 23, and 24.  

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

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Virtual Office Available Every Friday for Enrollment Assistance 


Students looking for enrollment services support can now access virtual office hours every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Virtual One Stop takes place on Zoom and allows students to drop in and meet with staff from the Admissions, International Student Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services and Testing offices.  

LIBRARY NEWS

Updates from LaGuardia’s Library 


  • The Library will be closed on Sundays through Fall II. Sunday hours will resume with the Spring I semester Please check our Library Hours before making the trip. 
  • We have a new display of books about love, just in time for Valentine's Day! 
  • Our Media Lab is open! Come to the second floor to use our computers, print, log into your online class, etc.
  • Be sure to check out the Library’s financial literacy resources!

HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES

Professional Development Monthly Tip: DCAS No Cost Training Opportunities 


Consider attending one of these upcoming professional development trainings offered at no cost by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services:


  • Creating a Culture of Inclusion, From Microaggressions to Microaffirmations (Live Webinar/In-Person): Microaggressions are verbal and non-verbal exchanges, intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages based solely on individuals’ membership in a marginalized/underrepresented group. Employees frequently targeted can experience health problems, burnout, and other negative effects. This course features case scenarios and interactive assessments that promote a more inclusive, respectful, and engaging workplace. For details, see the DCAS Catalog. Course Code: C9583 (In-Person); C9583W (Live Webinar). Live Webinar: February 23, 9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. In-Person: May 6, 9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. Register to attend
  • LGBTQ: The Power of Inclusion (Live Webinar/eCourse): This course facilitates awareness of the emotional impact of being a member of the LGBTQ community and provides guidance for how to create/promote an open and inclusive environment. Receive specific guidance for correct and inclusive terminology, City agencies’ responsibilities under Mayor’s Executive Order 16 (EO 16) regarding legal right of transgender and gender non-conforming persons, as well as examples of behaviors that may violate EO 16. For details, see the DCAS Catalog. Course Code: C7787W (Live Webinar) Live Webinar: March 6, 9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. or 1:30– 5 p.m. Register to attend


Tax Time – How to Access Your Tax and Pay Information 


As tax season approaches, you may need to access your LaGuardia tax and pay information online. You can access your W-2, pay stubs and other information through NYCAPS/ESS (Employee Self-Service). Here's a step-by-step guide to accessing your tax and pay information: 


  1. Open a new browser window and navigate to My Paycheck Page on NYC.gov
  2. Select Employee Self-Service (ESS) at the top of the page. 
  3. Enter your seven-digit City Employee ID # which can be found on your pay-stub. If you don’t remember or know your number, or don’t have a pay stub to check, contact payrollhelp@lagcc.cuny.edu
  4. Enter your password. If this is your first time trying to login, refer to the NYCAPS/ESS Instructions & Information
  5. After you log in for the first time, you will be asked to create a new password. 
  6. After logging in and you’re on the NYCAPS/ESS home screen, click on “Pay and Tax Information” which will take you to a screen where you can access your information. 


For more information, account set-up instructions and the NYCAPS Employee Self-Service Guide, refer to NYCAPS/ESS Instructions & Information

Your Input is Needed! Complete the Professional Development Survey Today!


Human Resources is in the process of creating a professional development program that will actively promote learning, community engagement, and encourage continuous professional and personal growth for everyone. Please check your emails for our survey requesting your feedback and take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback will help guide the Professional Development process and ensure that all voices are heard and included in the training and development initiative. Click HERE to complete the survey.

Requirements for All New Hires: Form I-9 and Employment Verification 


Please note that as of August 1, 2023 all new hires, including those who worked at other CUNY campuses, are required to complete an in-person I-9 employment verification. CUNY is in compliance with the USICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) mandate which discontinued COVID-19 flexibilities of virtual I-9 employment verifications as of July 31, 2023. All candidates for employment are required to provide proof of eligibility to work within the United States within 3 days of the effective date of hire. Proof of eligibility includes a signed I-9 form and supporting documentation outlined on the form. For detailed information about the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) I-9 protocols, please visit I-9 Central

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Protect Your Data! Take the CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness Training Course Today!  


Given the rapidly increasing threats to our cybersecurity, CUNY is taking various actions to safeguard the security of our data. To that end, CUNY recently created a 40-minute Cybersecurity Awareness training course, designed specifically for faculty and staff. This course covers many cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, spam, and hacked accounts, and best practices for safeguarding your data. You can view the course on Blackboard. All LaGuardia faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to take this course as soon as possible to protect their own and the University's data. If you have any questions regarding the training, please contact Maritza Acero.

New Microsoft Teams is Faster and Simpler! Switch Today!



When opening Microsoft Teams, you may have already noticed the option to switch to the new Microsoft Teams client version that Microsoft began introducing this month. The new Teams version will be required for use by all users beginning after March 31. We strongly suggest you change to the new version as soon as possible. The new Teams provides a faster, simpler, and more flexible experience. It installs and loads faster so you can launch the app and join meetings more quickly, resulting in a more efficient use of your time and your device’s resources. 


The switch to the new Teams is also seamless. None of your saved files or information changes. All your Teams, chats, calendar, files, etc., will remain the same, nothing is lost. The look will be new, but not significantly different from the previous version. For more information on what’s changing, visit Features that are changing in the new Microsoft Teams. If you have any issues with Teams, visit Microsoft Teams Troubleshooting. If you like, there is an option to switch back temporarily to the old version until March 31. See the following instructions

LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES

NEW YORK TIMES:Arthur Dukes Jr. had made three false starts at college before becoming the star player for LaGuardia Community College’s scrappy new team.


WNYW-TV FOX 5 NEWS: LaGuardia Community College's Arthur Dukes has dominated Division 3 men's basketball despite spending part of the year homeless. Thankfully, he has a temporary place to live thanks to LaGuardia's partnership with Airbnb.


AOL: LaGuardia Community College basketball star scores big on and off the court


QUEENS GAZETTE: LaGuardia Community College, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, and NY Sun Works Celebrate Opening of Hydroponic Research Lab.


QUEENS CHRONICLE: LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams celebrated $10 million in funding for Long Island City from the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.


THE GUARDIAN: LaGuardia's romance professor is interviewed on romance bookstores popping up all over America.


THE CONVERSATION: Dr. Jayashree Kamblé, LaGuardia professor and president of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance, on five myths about romance fiction.

EVENTS

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"Campus Update" is produced and published by the Communications and External Affairs Division. Faculty and staff who wish to submit items for publication can email CampusUpdate@lagcc.cuny.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday.