FAQ
Accessing Your Paystubs/W-2 Forms
Your pay stubs and W-2 tax forms can be retrieved through an online application called “NYCAPS ESS” that is administered by the City of New York payroll agency (OPA). Because OPA also manages QCC employee payroll, an account is created when you are appointed.
To access the account you will need to claim it with your 7-digit City Employee ID# or the Reference Number; please note that this is same number for the “User ID”. This is not your EMPL ID.
If you have forgotten the Reference Number, email HumanResources@qcc.cuny.edu or alternatively, if you happen to have old paper stubs refer to a box labeled “Reference #”.
For instruction on how to claim the account, reset password or account or report issue logging into the application, click this link: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/hr/university-payroll/nycaps-employee-self-service/
If you already have a password, click the following link to go to the NYCAPS ESS website to log in (see screen shot below as reference): https://a127-ess.nyc.gov/psp/prdess/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&
COELIG Financial Disclosure or Exemption Filing
The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) mandates required faculty and staff to file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement (“FDS”). The following questions and answers are intended to summarize for you the most important principles and dates.
Who must file?
Policy Makers: You must file an FDS if you are considered a Policy Maker. As a Policy Maker you are not eligible for an exemption. Although the FDS asks for financial data for 2025, the determination as to whether you must file must be made on the basis of your duties and salary as of April 1, 2026. The filing date for 2025 is May 15, 2026.
Faculty Members: You must file an FDS if your annual salary as a faculty member is more than $115,252 and you have not previously received an exemption. Although the FDS asks for financial data for 2025, the determination as to whether you must file must be made on the basis of your duties and salary as of April 1, 2026. The filing date for 2025 is November 16, 2026.
When must I file?
Policy Makers: May 15, 2026
Faculty Members: November 16, 2026
Where do I file?
The form for the 2025 Financial Disclosure Statement is available on your Dashboard under File FDS.
To get to your Dashboard you must do the following:
New Filers
New filers will need to create a NY Directory Services account before filing. In order to create an account, please do the following:
Go to http://my.ny.gov and click on “Don’t have an Account”
Select the box “Personal”
Create a username and password by following the prompts
After you’ve created a username, please email the username to fdshelpdesk@ethics.ny.gov
You will receive a return email that states you can go into the system to file your financial disclosure statement.
Return Filers and New Filers With Passwords
Go to http://my.ny.gov and type in your User Name and Password
After you log in you will see this screen. Click on this screen, which will take you to your Dashboard:
You will see on your Dashboard access to the FDS COELIG Reporting System
Who is entitled to an exemption?
Faculty members are eligible to file for an exemption. Policy Makers are NOT eligible to apply for exemption.
The Commission is authorized to grant an exemption to CUNY faculty who are not involved in:
- purchasing or contracting activities;
- administrative duties such as serving as chair or director of a department or program*; or
- receiving externally funded grants**
What if I am the Chair of my department, or I administer a grant?
In both situations you are not eligible for an exemption.
* Department Chairs as Policymakers: Department Chairs are CUNY employees charged with administrative duties including purchasing authority (however limited) and the management of the members of the department and support staff. Under COELIG's definition of a policymaker, Department Chairs in academic departments possess discretionary policymaking authority and therefore are considered policymakers and will not be granted an exemption from filing an FDS. Department chairs are required to file an FDS by the May 15, 2026 deadline for policymakers.
** Grant administrators: A grant administrator is required to file FDS as an academic filer (November 16, 2026).
How do I obtain an exemption?
If you do not have an exemption and believe you qualify for one, faculty members only can fill out and file the exemption form or apply electronically directly with COELIG by November 16, 2026. The exemption from FDS filing requirement can be accessed from the Exemption tab on your dashboard.
The COELIG exemption form requires that I attach a job description, but I don’t have one. What do I do?
Where a job description is not available, an academic applicant may submit either of the following:
- A copy of the current annual report which the applicant filed with his/her department, or
- A job description prepared by the applicant that includes the following: whether the individual is involved in purchasing or contracting activities; administrative duties such as chair or director for a department or program; and, whether the individual received externally funded grants.
If I have previously filed for and been granted an exemption, do I have to file for exemption again?
No. If you have previously filed for and been granted an exemption from filing an FDS and there have been no changes in your duties and responsibilities, there is no need to file for a new exemption. The original exemption continues to be effective.
I applied for an exemption. When will I hear if it is granted? Do I have to file while I am waiting to hear?
Generally, you will receive a reply within 10 days. You may file the disclosure statement in addition to the exemption request. If your exemption is approved, COELIG will return your original form and no record of it will be retained by the Commission. If you choose to wait for a response and are denied, you are given 20 days from the date of denial to file your FDS.
In determining my salary, do I look to the amount associated with my title or the amount I actually earned last year?
You look to the amount associated with your title. For example, if you worked part-time in a title that pays a full-time salary in excess of the filing rate of $115,252 or if you have been on sabbatical for a portion of the year in a title that pays in excess of the filing rate of $115,252, you must either file an FDS or apply for an exemption regardless of how much you actually earned.
What if I have a personal emergency and cannot file on time?
Ask COELIG for an Extension. Call COELIG at 518-408-3976 and ask for the help desk. The relevant form “Application for an Extension” (Academic Filers) and instructions are available at: COELIG Filing Information and Forms
What if I Fail to File?
You must file as soon as possible, or you may be in trouble. Pursuant to the Public Officers Law §73-a (4), [the Financial Disclosure Filing Statute] penalties of up to $40,000 can be imposed for failure to file. Also, Notices of Delinquency for failure to file an FDS for the specific calendar year 2025 will be posted on the Commission’s website. Again this year, the Commission will assess penalties for filings received after the statutory deadline. To avoid fines, your form must be received no later than the deadlines noted above [Policy Makers: May 15, 2026; Faculty Members: November 16, 2026.] New employees required to file must do so within 30 days of commencing employment.
But I still have more questions, where do I go?
For questions regarding COELIG policies or ethics concerns, please contact Lois Florman, Esq. at LFlorman@qcc.cuny.edu
For questions regarding access or general questions on filing or applying for exemption, please contact Martha Weller at martha.weller@qcc.cuny.edu
You may also go to the COELIG website for more information on Financial Disclosure Filings, including a step by step guide to answering each question, please see Guide to Filing the 2025 New York State Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure.
If you have any other questions or need additional information with respect to these rules please call your ethics officer, or if you need help filling out either of the forms please call the COELIG FDS Unit at 1-800-873-8442 and press#3; or by email to fdshelpdesk@ethics.ny.gov.
Taking ESPARC, GBVT, WVP, and Title VI Trainings
In accordance with New York State law, all full-time and part-time employees must complete mandated compliance trainings for 2025-2026. You are required to take these trainings every academic year, regardless if you have taken them in the past. In response to this mandate, you will now see all your compliance trainings on Brightspace. From the QCC home page go to the Login drop down menu on the top right-hand side of the screen and select the Brightspace option. Enter your CUNYfirst login credentials, which will bring you to your Brightspace homepage. You will then find the compliance courses within the Compliance tab under My Courses.
Compliance Trainings
Employee Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC)
Workplace Violence Prevention (WVP)
Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) Note that this course is only for Human Resources employees and any employee who has direct reports
Title VI - New Training for full time faculty and staff only
Deadlines for ESPARC, WVP, GBVT, and Title VI
Full-time employees have until May 29, 2026 to complete the trainings
Part-time employees have until December 5, 2025 to complete the trainings
There will be no extensions on the training deadlines.
For detailed directions on how to access the trainings please use this guide: Compliance Training Navigation Guide. As a reminder, in order for the certificate to generate for both the ESPARC and WVP courses, you must press NEXT on the final “Thank You” page of each of the training courses. For those taking the GBVT course, you must click on the EXIT button on the “Conclusion” page for the course to record your training.
FAQ for Compliance Trainings: Compliance Training FAQ
If you have any questions or encounter any technical difficulties, or are not sure if you have completed the required training, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@qcc.cuny.edu
For questions or concerns regarding your rights under Title IX, or any issues concerning CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct or CUNY’s Policy on Domestic Violence and the Workplace, please contact Amaris Matos at amatos@qcc.cuny.edu
For questions or concerns regarding Workplace Violence Prevention matters please contact Lois Florman at lforman@qcc.cuny.edu.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct: CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct
CUNY Workplace Violence Prevention Policy: CUNY Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
CUNY Policy on Domestic Violence and the Workplace: CUNY Policy on Domestic Violence and the Workplace
Title VI Policy: Title VI Policy
Confirming your Email in CUNYfirst
- Open an Internet browser and go to the QCC website.
- On the QCC home page, click “Login” and then “CUNYfirst” link, as illustrated below.
- On the CUNYfirst login page, type in your CUNYfirst username and password.
- On the CUNYfirst landing page as shown below, select the “Employee Self Service” tile.
- Select the “Personal Details” tile.
- Select the “Contact Details” tile.
- Make sure your QCC email is checked as “Preferred.” If it is not, please reach out to Human Resources.
Please remember to log off your account when you are done updating or using the system.
Updating Your Emergency Contact Information in CUNYfirst
- Open an Internet browser and go to the QCC website.
- On the QCC home page, click “Login” and then “CUNYfirst” link, as illustrated below.
- On the CUNYfirst login page, type in your CUNYfirst username and password.
- On the CUNYfirst landing page as shown below, select the "Employee Self Service" tile.
- Click the "Personal Details" Tile.
- Click the “Emergency Contacts” tile.
- Follow the actions below to update your emergency contacts.
- To add a new contact, click the “+” or the plus sign, as shown below and follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
- To update information on an existing contact, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the person whose contact information you want to update. Follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
- To delete an existing contact, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the person you want to remove, click “Delete” button on the bottom of the next page, and click the “Save” button when done.
- To designate a new “Preferred Contact”, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the person who you want to designate as a preferred contact, and place a check on the “Preferred” checkbox, and click “Save”. You can only designate one preferred contact. In this illustration, that is the spouse. If you make a new designation, then the preferred check on the spouse will come off.
- To add a new contact, click the “+” or the plus sign, as shown below and follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
Please remember to log off your account when you are done updating or using the system.
Updating Your Personal Contact Information
- Open an Internet browser and go to the QCC website.
- On the QCC home page, click “Login” and then “CUNYfirst” link, as illustrated below.
- On the CUNYfirst login page, type in your CUNYfirst username and password.
- On the CUNYfirst landing page as shown below, select the “Employee Self Service" tile.
- Click the “Personal Details” tile as illustrated.
- Click the “Contact Details” tile.
- Follow the actions below to update your contact information.
- To add a new contact, click the “+” or the plus sign, as shown below and follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
- To update information on an existing contact, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the person whose contact information you want to update. Follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
- To delete an existing contact, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the person you want to remove, click “Delete” button on the bottom of the next page, and click the “Save” button when done.
- To designate a new “Preferred Contact”, click “>” or the greater than sign next to the information you want to designate as a preferred contact, and place a check on the “Preferred” checkbox, and click “Save”. You can only designate one preferred contact.
- To add a new contact, click the “+” or the plus sign, as shown below and follow the instruction on the next page. Click the “Save” button when done.
Please remember to log off your account when you are done updating or using the system.
Updating Your Address in CUNYfirst
- Open an Internet browser and go to the QCC website.
- On the QCC home page, click “Login” and then “CUNYfirst” link, as illustrated below.
- On the CUNYfirst login page, type in your CUNYfirst username and password.
- On the CUNYfirst landing page as shown below, select the “Employee Self Service" tile.
- Click the “Personal Details” tile.
- Click the “Addresses” tile.
- Follow the actions below to update your contact information.
- You will see options for "Home" and "Mailing" addresses
- Click on the arrow on the far right of the screen where your address is displayed
- Make the appropriate changes and click "Save"
Accessing Employee EEOC Posters in CUNYfirst
- Log into CUNYfirst
- On the CUNYfirst landing page as shown below, select the “Employee Self Service" tile.
- Click on the “Other Employee Tasks” tile.
- Click on “Employee Labor Law Posters”
- In the box that comes up click on “Federal, NY State and Local Labor Law Posters”
- Click on where is says “United States.” This will bring a drop-down menu. Then select “New York State”
- Select either option to review current employment posters. The local tab will have a drop down menu where you can select “New York City”
