Dear Uncle Ezra - Latest Questions

Question #1 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

What exactly is the organization Scorpions X and how long has it been on campus? I was shocked to search your archives for it and not find a single related posting. For the sake of all curious Cornelians, please shed light on this mysterious entity.

Sincerely, Perplexed and intrigued

Dear Perplexed and Intrigued,

Scorpions X is an anonymous group on campus. Not much is known about them, but they made their presence known in March this year when they protested posters that used the Chop Suey font for the Margaret Cho performance.

This Cornell Daily Sun article describes some of the events and responses that took place to their protest. http://cornellsun.com/node/50668

Additionally, here is a link to the email they sent the organizers of the performance, in which they explain the offensiveness of the poster. http://www.scribd.com/doc/86387026/And-You-Thought-We-Were-Militant

More recently, they created a video in response to the racially motivated events that took place after Slope Day at the Sigma Pi house. http://youtu.be/UK204y_OBzg

Uncle Ezra

Question #2 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

What was that 75-person fight on North about? http:www.theithacajournal.comarticle20120506NEWS01205060367Man-arrested-after-East-Hill-fight?odyssey=mod|mostview

The Ithaca Journals reporting has been pretty useless. I thought you might have more information. Thanks.

Dear Reader,

You are right to question everything that you read in the newspapers. As you know some info is there to sell papers and some is just mistakes by reporters and a bit is slanted, the rest is news!

There was no fight including 75 people, but there was a terrible incident of students or student throwing bottles and cans from a porch at others walking below. All acts of violence, bias, racism and sexism at Cornell and everywhere must stop. Many students, staff, faculty and administration are working diligently through discussions and actions to eliminate these horrific acts.

I am sure that discussions and education will continue next semester to work toward a safe community for all. It will take effort from all of us to make that happen.

Uncle Ezra

Question #3 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I graduated from Cornell in 1980, and recall watching an event called the Phi Psi 500, in which participants ran a road race around collegetown and at various stops on the way chugged a glass of beer or soda. Although I am not at all sanctioning its return, I am curious about the circumstance and year of its demise.

Dear Alum,

The Phi Psi 500 is a tradition that definitely marked a place in history. Adam, another Cornell alum who graduated a few years after you stated, “I think the version of the Phi Psi 500 the questioner refers to last occurred during the spring `85 semester. However, I am trying to confirm this. It ended as a result of the NY drinking age change from 18 to 21 in December 1985. This I am certain of as I was a freshman in fall `85 and this version of the Phi Psi 500 did not occur in the spring of `86 or thereafter.”

You can refer to the link below for more information about the tradition.

http://www.phikappapsi-cornell.org/141-tour-agora.asp

Uncle Ezra

Question #4 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Im transferring in as a sophomore next year, and am a bit confused for rooms. I met a few kids Id like to room with next semester, and I was added on the Housing profile by them. However, It still seems like this whole housing system puts me wherever the winds blow.

How do I ensure I will be partnered with the students I listed online?

Dear Cornellian,

Congratulations!

If you and another incoming transfer student select each other as possible roommates in the housing application, it is highly likely that you will be placed together in a double. If you and more than one other student have mutually selected each other, the chances that you will be placed with someone on that list is even higher. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Housing & Dining Contracts Office at housing@cornell.edu or (607) 255-5368.

Uncle Ezra

Question #5 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Hi Uncle Ezra,

I live in Bethe House on West Campus. I recently left a dining hall taking a croissant with me and was yelled at by the cashier behind the counter telling me that I could only take a piece of fruit with me. He made me discard the croissant. I do not understand the policy. Not only was I humiliated in front of other people, but I was also very angry at the whole incident. I have a meal plan and as a Cornell student, I think I am already paying a lot and am entitled to take some food out of the dining hall for later consumption. Also, whats the difference if I take out a croissant instead of a piece of fruit?

I was wondering if you agree with Cornells food policy. Also, in terms of university policy making, could you suggest some sitesoffices where I can make this heard? I want this incident to be heard and I want the policy to be possibly changed, but I do not know where to start (student government? student council??) Thanks!

By Max

Dear Max,

We’re so sorry you had an unpleasant exchange in a Cornell Dining room. The intent of the Cornell Dining meal plan is for all you care to eat meals to be consumed on the premises. If food is being taken from the dining room for later consumption, that actually constitutes another meal for which the customer would not be charged. Multiply that possibility by several thousand meal plan subscribers. It’s an untenable customer service and financial position in which to place Cornell Dining.

That being said, dining customers are permitted to take one item from the dining room as they leave, such as a piece of fruit, or an ice cream item. You should not have been treated the way you were, and you certainly should not have been made to discard the croissant. The Cornell Dining management team has been made aware of the issue, and will address it from a staff perspective.

The best way to make change in policy is to make your voice heard. The Student Assembly has a Dining Committee who works closely with Cornell Dining managers every year. Join them, or contact Cornell Dining at dining@cornell.edu.

Good luck with your final exams.

Uncle Ezra

Question #6 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Im currently finishing up my freshman year here at Cornell, and so far, Ive only had a very stressed experience. I feel like my academic performance is horrible. My GPA is very low, but to be honest, I only have my high school one to compare it to. No one I know here talks much about grades, and it feels like a touchy subject. Could you please share the average GPA a freshman finishes with across all colleges? I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Stressed

Dear Stressed,

You first year in college can be a challenging a stressful time for students. Courses are different and more challenging, your peers are new, and the environment is one that must be adapted to.

The questions you need to ask yourself are “Are you in courses that you enjoy and play to your strengths? Do you need a tutor for certain courses? Are you getting enough sleep and eating the right foods?”

After answering these questions, I would recommend you speak with your advisor to discuss your grades and ways to improve them. They are the most knowledgeable about trends for students in your major/college. They can help you modify your stress level, which could be as simple as taking fewer classes, or taking certain courses during certain semesters.

The wonderful advisors in the Student Services Offices are there to help you. Stop in to see them. They know of many resources that exist on campus that might be useful to you.

Uncle Ezra

Question #7 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

This is not a question but a comment from a faculty member. Thank you for clarifying the fact that Cornell has SU courses, not passfail courses, and that a D would equal a U. My students always talk about passfail courses and I have to keep correcting them. If a student needs the credits to graduate and doesnt care about a GPA in courses not in the major, a letter grade option is sometimes a better choice than SU.

Dear Faculty Member,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to remind students about the S/U Option.

Uncle Ezra

Question #8 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Though I am excited to come to Cornell next year I am feeling a little bad about the high cost. What is a reasonable amount of money that you think a diligent student could earn through jobs, participating in studies, andor paid research during a year at Cornell?

Dear Student,

I’m glad to see you are already interested in earning a bit of cash while you are at Cornell. However, I will say this, you may want to wait a little before you get a job. You first semester at a new school can be challenging, and a job may be unnecessary added pressure.

I digress. It is a bit difficult to give you an exact amount of how much money one can make through on-campus jobs. Student jobs on campus can pay anywhere from $7.25 to $17 an hour, depending on the level of experience, level of decision-making and amount of responsibilities. Also, students are only allowed to work 20 hours per week during the school year. http://studentemployment.cornell.edu/students/faqs

Additionally, studies that take place on campus usually run from one hour to two, and they typically pay between $10-$20 per study.

Lastly, a number of students conduct research at Cornell. You may receive course credit or be paid for your work; however, it depends on the department and the amount of funding they currently have. This link, will direct you to the research opportunities available in each college. http://courses2.cit.cornell.edu/CURB/find_research.htm

If this is something you are interested in doing, please be sure to visit the Student Employment website, and look through the current listing of available positions. http://studentemployment.cornell.edu/

Also, talk to professors as they may have research opportunities available.

Uncle Ezra

Question #9 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I read on the Cornell News site http:www.news.cornell.edureleasesOct00NRCC.EarlySnow.bpf.html that the earliest snowfall in Ithaca was October 17th.

I was wondering if there are any records about the latest snowfall in Ithaca. It snowed on May 12th my senior year. Has Ithaca had snow even later in the calendar year?

Alum 96

Dear Alum ’96.

It’s wonderful to see that you are still interested in the sporadic weather that makes Ithaca so grand.

According to Jessica Rennells ’04 of the Northeast Regional Climate Center, “the latest measurable snowfall in Ithaca was May 10, of 1966 and 1977.” This article in the Cornell Daily Sun discusses the record-breaking snowfall we had late April of this year. http://cornellsun.com/node/51535

Here are some other interesting facts about Ithaca weather, courtesy of http://www.ithacaweather.net/ithaca-weather-trivia.

October 28, 1981 set record for the highest precipitation in a day with 5.08 inches of rain.
February 14, 1914 had the largest snowfall with 26 inches of snow. This is a record that still holds today.
July 9^th, 1936 set an all time temperature high with 103°F.
The lowest temperature in Ithaca was -13.5°F on February 9, 1934 and February 18, 1979.

Uncle Ezra

Question #10 5/10/2012

Uncle Ezra — 2012-05-10T06:00:00+01:00

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I was wondering if you had any information on how to become a TA in autotutorial physics? I dont know if it is something I apply for or if the professor or if they contact students they want to TA. I dont want to ask the instructor because I dont want it to be awkward just in case they do contact the students themselves.

Sincerely,

Just wondering

Dear Wondering,

Sometimes professors contact students that they think would be good TAs and sometimes students contact profs. In the case of Autotutorial classes it makes a lot of sense to get in touch with the professor since you have had less in person contact with them and they probably have had less time to get to know you.

It will not hurt to let the professor know that you really enjoyed the course, the teaching method and the subject area... and would love to help out as a TA next year.

Uncle Ezra