"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. | |
New York State Awards Long Island City $10 Million for Economic Development Projects
On February 1 the state selected Long Island City as the recipient of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, awarding the booming neighborhood $10 million to invest in economic development. Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College joined local elected and community leaders at Brewster LIC, a historic building in Queens Plaza now home to the JetBlue headquarters, for the announcement. Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez, on behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, also announced that Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan will receive $4.5 million from a newer economic development program, NY Forward. The award stems from an application drafted by the Long Island City Partnership, which works to bring new business and retain existing ones, this past summer.
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LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Presents “Concert for College 2024” TONIGHT
As part of Black History Month, LaGuardia Community College is proud to host the Concert for College 2024, bringing together faith, civic, business, and community leaders and organizations, government and elected officials, school communities, and neighborhood residents to support the college and career futures of local children. Tonight’s concert is an evening of music, community, and connection featuring Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir, with additional special guests including the Center of Hope International Praise Team, Community School 111 Gospel Choir, and Spirit in Motion. Tickets are $25. All proceeds from this event will go to the NYC Scholarship Accounts of students at P.S. 17, P.S. 76, P.S. 111, P.S. 112, P.S. 151, P.S. 171, Growing Up Green Charter School, Our World Neighborhood Charter School, and VOICE Charter School through a donation to NYC Kids RISE.
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LaGuardia Receives $210K Grant From Petrie Foundation for English Express Program
LaGuardia Community College was recently awarded a $210,000 grant from the Petrie Foundation to launch its English Express program, designed to help asylum seekers and others learn English. LaGuardia is the largest provider of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction in New York City, and the LaGuardia English Express program offers orientation and assessment activities, English language workshops contextualized to the immediate needs of daily living, and referrals to educational and training programs at LaGuardia and other providers. LaGuardia English Express is managed by the Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET), which specializes in offering ESOL instruction contextualized to civics, immigrant family literacy, parent leadership, and workforce development for English language learners. “After accessing essential services through the city’s Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers, including temporary housing,” said Paula DaSilva-Michelin, Director of Programs with the CIET, “a critical next step for these new arrivals is to learn basic English for daily living in New York City.”
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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.
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Office of Compliance and Diversity Names Interim Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
As of February 5, Sabine Rospide, Esq., of LaGuardia’s Legal Affairs and Labor Relations Department, has begun serving as Interim Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and Title IX Coordinator. The Office of Compliance and Diversity ensures compliance with Federal, State, Municipal, and CUNY policies on Sexual Misconduct and Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination. LaGuardia is committed to addressing accusations of discrimination, retaliation, sexual misconduct, harassment, or gender bias promptly and fairly. To learn more and/or file a report, please visit the Compliance and Diversity website. The LaGuardia Community thanks Craig Greene for his service to the College. LaGuardia is conducting a search for a new Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator.
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LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative Hosts Career Chat
The LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative is collaborating with the Center for Career and Professional Development to host a Career Chat with Non-Profit Organizations event on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. Students and alumni are invited to attend. The event will create a platform for students to join a conversation with nonprofit professionals to discuss career opportunities available in global organizations. Panelists will include Elissa A. Rowley, Director of Development and Communications of Water for South Sudan; Harley Dority, Regional Advocacy Manager of CARE, USA; Emily DeVivo, Communications Associate, of Malala Fund; and Valeria Nolasco, Senior Manager, Community Engagement, DEI, of Make-A- Wish. Click HERE to RSVP.
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LaGuardia Leadership Meets with NYS Elected Officials on Lobby Day
On February 7, LaGuardia leadership including Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College and Manny Romero, Vice President for Communications and External Affairs visited with New York State elected officials in Albany to lobby in support of LaGuardia and CUNY budget priorities. Claudia Chan, Deputy Director for Government Relations also attended the meetings with state legislators and Senate Higher Education Committee including: Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator Joe Addabbo, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubrey, Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, and Assemblymember Steve Raga.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Women’s Basketball
- February 8, 6 p.m. at Dutchess CC
- February 10, 1 p.m. at Nassau CC
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Men’s Basketball
- February 8, 8 p.m. at Dutchess CC
- February 10, 3 p.m. at Nassau CC
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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.
- Need to find co-curricular events? We have them listed on our Events & Workshops page.
- It’s Black History month! Check out our collection of books about Black history.
- Our Media Lab is open! Come to the second floor to use our computers, print, log into your online class, etc.
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HUMAN RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL UPDATES | |
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:
- Open a new browser window and navigate to My Paycheck Page on NYC.gov.
- Select Employee Self-Service (ESS) at the top of the page.
- 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 [email protected].
- Enter your password. If this is your first time trying to login, refer to the NYCAPS/ESS Instructions & Information.
- After you log in for the first time, you will be asked to create a new password.
- 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.
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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.
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All New Hires Requirements: 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.
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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.
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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.
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LAGUARDIA IN THE HEADLINES | |
"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 [email protected]. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication on Wednesday. |
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