Dear Society Seeker,

If there is such a secret society at Cornell, it’s a well-kept secret— not among the list of officially recognized student groups, as the others are.  But your dear old Uncle is sometimes the last to know about the newest of the new, and will throw this question out to the campus at large. Anyone? In the meantime, are you sure you didn’t overhear someone ordering lunch?  “I’ll have the Tempeh Arizona, onion rings and, oh yeah, an order of koy-oes.”

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

All grades and educational reports are protected by laws called FERPA.  It is illegal for a TA to share any grades or information about your performance in the course.  Please report this to the professor in charge of that class and the Judicial Administrator.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Player,

There are 75 music clubs and organizations on campus.  Look through them to see which ones might be right for you, http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/browse?action=search&q=&termID=7&regstatus=&uggr=&category_ids[]=14&membership_limit=&membe rship=.

There is also a great local amature orchestra. The Ithaca Community Orchestra was founded in 2000 by composer and conductor John Webber and in 2005 Cayenna Ponchione was engaged as the new music director. The ICO presents concerts for the general public, plays at community events, and is dedicated to performing at local residential institutions such as nursing homes. The orchestra gives avocational string players the opportunity to be part of a large ensemble and gives avocational wind players an opportunity to play the orchestral literature, http://cayennaponchione.com/ICO/.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Peu un nerveux,

Learning a language can definitely be difficult, especially with a full plate of other courses.  Glad that you are looking for help early in the semester.  Check with the Romance Studies Department to find out about tutoring opportunities.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Looking For a Change,

You've already mastered the first step, which is recognizing that something isn't working and that you want a change.  Bill O'Hanlon, wrote a book called Change 101, which is all about breaking cycles that don't work for you.  He writes, "When you have been having a problem, I suggest making pattern changes in three areas: the viewing, the doing and the setting."  Here is some advice from Bill...

Change The Viewing Tip #3: Ask different questions

Sometimes when we experience trouble, we give ourselves more grief and trouble by asking the wrong questions.

Some examples of questions that may lead to self-torture:

• ·  Why is this happening to me?
• ·  Will this ever end?
• ·  What did I do to deserve this?
• ·  Why does this always happen to me?
• ·  What is wrong with me?

They might also come in the form of statements like:

• I can't take anymore.
• This is never going to end.

Here's a few suggestions for questions that might serve you better. If these don't fit or work, examine your current questions and discover or create better ones.

• Is this where I want to put my energy or attention?
• ·  If not, where would I rather focus my energy or attention?
• ·  Is there anything to do about this right now?
• ·  If so, what is the first step I will take?
• ·  If not, how can I come to accept and make peace with what I can't change right now?
• ·  What do I have to do to make it more the way I want it to be?
• ·  What do I need to stop doing in order to have things be more the way I want them to be?
• ·  If I'm going to have to go through this anyway, what can I get out of it?
• ·  What are the facts and what are my stories/interpretations about the facts?
• ·  What are the unhelpful stories and interpretations I have about the facts?
• ·  Where are my moments or places of choice about this matter?
• ·  What's the best way I've ever handled a situation like this?

Remember that these are not necessarily the right suggestions for you, so treat them as possibilities rather than commands. If they fit (and work) use them. If not, drop or skip them.

There are many recources here at Cornell to help you make it through this semester.  Do not go it alone.  Check in with your Academic Advising Office for concrete help on how to excel this semester.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Nervous,

Use an umbrella?!

See my archives for more information about the crows at Cornell!  Search "Crows"

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Disgruntled,

Besides talking about the weather, everyone loves to give advice — especially the knowledgeable faculty in Cornell Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.  Take advantage of their experience, beginning right now.  They can suggest ways to reconfigure your undergraduate program, to make it less disgruntling and more fulfilling, and to prepare for whatever comes next.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Driven,

It is customary to give a tip, but how much depends on the service you have received.  If it's a short trip around Ithaca, a dollar would be fine.  If you are going to the airport and the driver has helped load your bags in and out of the trunk, you would offer more.  If you are getting a long distance ride and the fare is over $100, you should consider giving the driver 10% of the fare.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Nephew,

Corey Ryan Earle was kind enough to research your question:

The phrase "Big Red" caught on thanks to a song. When the football team became jealous of the Crew Song's popularity, they held a contest for a football song in 1905. The result was "The Big Red Team" with words by Romeyn Berry '04 and music by Charles Tourison '06. Berry would later become Cornell's Graduate Manager of Athletics (predecessor of the Athletics Director position). The song was immediately adopted by the students as part of the traditional repertoire, and it remains a popular piece at Glee Club concerts.

And so, yes, we were the "Big Red" even during the Cold War!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Hoops,

The Cornell Store reports that the Cornell basketball team wears Nike uniforms. Nike is geared for selling to very high volume retail outlets. Their minimum orders and lead times are virtually impossible for a store our size to reach.

To rectify this, Nike now does business with stores like ours through a licensing arrangement with a separate and smaller company. They only came into the market a few months ago  and could not provide  replica merchandise for fall and winter sports this year. Bummer. We will have replica jerseys and other official team gear in time for next year’s football and basketball seasons.

Uncle Ezra