Welcome to Spring 2021
January 29, 2021
Dear Brooklyn College students, staff, and faculty,
Welcome back to the college and to a new year. I am hopeful that this one will be happier and healthier for us all. While the campus remains closed for now (with the exception of a few hybrid courses), the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines heralds the exciting possibility that we may be able to return to campus in the fall. I look forward to updating you all throughout the semester as we progress with those plans.
In case you missed it, there was some great news about Brooklyn College over the break. The college's School of Humanities and Social Sciences received $1 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; a new course on COVID-19 offered through our School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences was featured on NBC; a debut novel by alumnus Robert Jones Jr. ’06, ’08 M.F.A. exploded on the literary scene; and alumnus Bernie Sanders made a surprise "appearance" on campus. In addition, our faculty offered expertise on timely news affecting our country. History Professor Gunja SenGupta shared her views on Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the first woman of color in that role, and Herbert Kurz Chair on Constitutional Rights Anna Law discussed the historical ramifications of the Capitol riots and how they will impact how professors teach political science.
As we start spring 2021, we are pleased that the college's We Stand Against Hate event series, which began in 2017, will take place in a digital format continuing our ongoing commitment to elevating dialogue, enhancing understanding and compassion, and celebrating our diverse campus community. We hope you can join us at the next two events.
- Black & Jewish Multicultural Identities, and Anti-Semitism
February 4, 2021 • 12:30 p.m.
Register Here
- Racism, Mental Health & Strategies for Supporting Our Students
February 18, 2021 • 6:30 p.m.
Register Here
I also invite you to attend a special event as part of the Common Reader/1619 Project organized by our Department of English, which will feature Robert Jones Jr. as he reads from his critically acclaimed new debut novel, The Prophets. Robert will be introduced by Wadzanai Mhute, who is currently an M.F.A. student in creative writing at Brooklyn College.
- Common Reader/The 1619 Project with Author Robert Jones Jr.
February 18, 2021 • 6 p.m.
Register Here
Finally, I'd like to remind those students who have not yet registered for spring that our advisers and staff members across the campus are here to assist you. Today may be the first day of the semester, but you still have until next Thursday, February 4, to register. Please go to our spring 2021 registration page for a list of contacts who can address your questions and to sign up for live Q&A sessions to get you ready for classes this spring.
Wishing you all a great start to the semester.
Michelle J. Anderson
President
