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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Campus Update

Dear College Community,

I am sure you have all seen the rapid changes taking place throughout the world, country, state, and experienced the changes taking place in New York City. We are not unaffected by these rapid changes, and it is important that we remain patient and flexible, yet firm in our commitment to continue to serve students, and safeguard the health and safety of every member of our college community. I am grateful for all those who have worked diligently to prepare our students and faculty for the distance learning phase; those offices that continue to provide needed services and resources to students; and those who are helping maintaining the operations continuity of the College.

The City University of New York remains open, as does Kingsborough Community College. As long as this is the case, we will continue to ensure that areas are clean and sanitized; our campus is protected; health services are available; Human Resources, Payroll and Bursar Offices are operational; child care is available; emergency funds distribution continues for students; the food pantry is accessible for our students and staff who continue to be food insecure; computer labs are available for many of our students who do not have adequate access to technology; and that Central Receiving staff are available to receive critical supplies like sanitation items, and hardware for teaching and learning purposes. By tomorrow, we will share the list of offices that are essential to our operations along with, as applicable, staggered hours of operation and remote access information.

The Senior Staff has been working diligently during this period of transition to ensure that as many employees as possible can telecommute and have work plans. For areas that include personnel who have essential functions, we are implementing the maximum flexible scheduling that promotes social distancing, reduces density in offices and travel during peak times. We have met with respective union leadership to discuss issues of concern that have been shared with them. As I have indicated in previous communications, if for any reason you do not feel well, or if you have been in contact with someone who does not feel well, please inform your supervisor and stay home. If you have an underlying condition, other extenuating circumstances, or need to be referred to the Employee Assistance Programs, please contact Human Resources.

I can confidently say, that there will be more changes on the horizon. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been infected and affected by COVID-19. Know that the health and safety of our college community is of primary importance; as such we are doing as much as we can to reduce campus density. We are doing equally as much to safeguard academic continuity. We have many students who are on the cusp of completion, a stone throw away from completing their academic goals, and being the first of their families to earn a college degree. And there are others, perhaps the most vulnerable of our student cohorts, who are just beginning their journey at a time when the world has been turned on its head. We are fortunate that Distance Learning will provide our students with an opportunity to meet their academic goals. Distance Learning goes into effect on Thursday, March 19. The Offices of Communications and Marketing and Information Technology have updated the COVID-19 webpage to include information and resources for both faculty and students. The site will continue to be updated as information becomes available. You may access it here at https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/distancelearning/index.html or via the KBCC homepage.

Colleagues, Jay Z and Alicia Keyes said it best, in “New York” and I would add that “at Kingsborough, there is nothing we can’t do”. I know that we will emerge from this stronger, together.

I will continue to update you as information becomes available.

Thank you for all that you do.

In solidarity,

Claudia V. Schrader, Ed.D.
President