Dear Secretly Searching,

You are a good friend to be concerned about your friend's well being.  When any group keeps its inner-workings private, the lack of understanding can sometimes make others nervous, even when the group's mission is benign and charitable.  It is not surprising that your friend is happy to be part of this organization, and not because she's been brainwashed by a cult, but because it's quite an honor.  Sphinx Head Senior Honor Society is a group that recognizes members of the Cornell senior class who have given their time and passion to the university during their 4 years here.  It is the university's oldest secret senior honor society, founded in 1890 by a group of senior males.  Since that time, the society has grown to incorporate males and females.  The society's goal is to quietly uplift the Cornell community.  Membership is diverse, representing all segments of the student population, and all members serve as leaders in their respective Cornell communities.  While the membership of Sphinx Head is public, society business is private. 

I hope this lessens your fears, and gives you great pride in your friend's achievements here at Cornell.  Due to their secret nature,
I'm unable to reveal any more.   

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Rap,

I asked our facilities manager, who said that "there are many places in this campus that are restricted to those who have a legitimate purpose for being there.  This restriction can be due to the sensitive nature of the materials stored,
like student records; the potentially dangerous nature of the work or the equipment inside, like mechanical rooms; or that some spaces were never designed for unaccompanied public use, like some towers.  It is not necessarily a trust issue, but why expose folks to more risks.  Risk increases our liability and prudent managers limit liability.  Also, given the current 'security climate' we need to prevent unauthorized folks from making trouble." 

He did let on that the two specific places you mentioned can be visited, "but not on a whim".  If you contact the facilities folks in both buildings, they would be willing to accompany you if you want to visit the tunnel or the tower.  Happy haunted hunting.

Princess-wise, McGraw Tower, where the chimes are, is the perfect place.  The top floors of the Johnson Art Museum are nice.  Although not a vertical climb, the lighthouse pier just west of Stewart Park can make you feel like you are overseeing a vast empire.  The Upper Treman Trail or the Upper Buttermilk Treman Lake loop have some nice vistas. Best, though, is a very adoring friend who will tell you all kinds of sweet things about yourself, and call you Princess. And mean it.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear favorite super-senior niece,

Isn't it best to leave some doors unopenable by ordinary means?  What is life without a little mystery, or at least challenge?  If you check the DUE archives for Quill and Dagger or secret society,
you might discover some secrets, but the rest are within that sometimes aggravating realm of privileged information. Good luck with your sleuthing.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Sherlock,

There I am!  No, over there!  Woops, you just missed me around that corner.

A woman saw a man fervently looking under a lamppost for something.  "What did you lose?" she asked.  "My diamond ring,"  he answered.  "Where did you lose it?" she offered helpfully.  "Over there," in gestured toward the bushes.  "Why are you looking here, then?" she asked, perplexed. He replied: "This is where the light is."

Maybe I am not beshrouded, like Byron's Jura "answering through her misty shroud."  I am not a mountain, I assure you. I am human, unshrouded.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear people watcher,

Never fear. Our National secrets are in far safer places than a desk drawer --places like loose attic floor boards or basement bricks, or secret compartments or mattresses are great for storage. There are also curtain linings and fake rocks in the garden for secure storage. Human ingenuity is always coming up with new solutions to security issues. One skeleton key for opening locked doors is the subpoena, so I'd worry more about lawyers than custodians. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear FF,

Two commemorative sandstone markers, engraved "Ostrander Elms 1880," mark the place of several beautiful umbrella-shaped trees that once graced our campus. Dryden farmer John B. Ostander wanted to give the University a gift, but had no money, so he contributed the young elm trees in 1880. They were planted along both sides of East Avenue. The mature trees created a lovely green cathedral arch across the street and were typical of many urban landscapes until they fell victim to Dutch Elm disease. There are still a few elms in the countryside - look for the typical silhouette. The other marker has been put in storage by the Duffield/Pew Quad Project Team and will be re-installed in the new Pew Engineering Quadrangle landscape or one of the atria that will connect Duffield Hall to Phillips and Upson.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Outdoorsperson,

No camping is allowed on Cornell Property for Liability reasons. Anyone regardless of affiliation can hunt on Cornell property with permission of the Land Manager for the area in question and a valid State Hunting License. The deadline for applications for this year's hunting season was 10/15/03.  Hunters can also arrange with owners of private land for hunting privileges. They might trade some venison for the privilege. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear sleuth,

Check the Ezra archives in your search, but perhaps there are other clues around campus -- what do you think brings people together?  What secret common bonds do you have with others?  How do you recognize fellow travelers on the path?  How do you acknowledge one another?

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Entomologist,

Mosquitoes have developed some clever strategies to adapt to different environments. Mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles, Culiseta, Coquellittidia, and Culex vary in their biology. For the most part females lay floating egg rafts directly on the surface of an open body of water. Unlike Aedes eggs, which can lie dormant for many years before they hatch, the eggs of these mosquitoes hatch very soon after being laid. In the north, mosquitoes usually over-winter as eggs, which hatch when the ice thaws. Anopheles, Culiseta, Coquellittidia, and Culex mosquitoes over winter as adults in animal burrows, rock piles, and buildings, while Aedes overwinters in the egg stage. Anopheles mosquitoes are often found clustered in sheltered areas, such as under boardwalks in cypress swamps in Florida. In California, they overwinter as adults in rice fields.

All species of mosquitoes share a similar life cycle, that is, an egg, four aquatic larval stages, an aquatic pupal stage, and the familiar pesky adult stage. Both the adult male and female mosquitoes feed on flower nectar to meet their energy requirements, but did you know that only the female seeks a blood meal? She uses it as a source of protein that is required to develop her batch of eggs. Next time she taps you for a donation, remember it's just maternal instinct.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Donor,

Thank you for your generosity. The American Red Cross lists those at http://www.tompkins-redcross.org/frame_center_blood_schedule.htm. "By giving a part of yourself you are giving someone else the Gift of Life!"

Uncle Ezra   

Dear researching research,

A helpful way to think about Cornell's history and mission, which highlights our commitment to research, was articulated in "The Cornell Opportunity" created by the Presidential Search Committee.

"Cornell is a world class, intellectually diverse, private university.  Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell, whose original endowment was augmented by a substantial land grant from the State of New York under the Federal Land Grant (Morrill) Act.  Cornell was conceived as a democratic, explicitly co-educational, and nonsectarian university.  It has always been open to men and women from every class and all ethnicities...Unique in the Ivy League, Cornell explicitly commits itself to all three American university missions: teaching, research, and public service as a land grant institution.  They were alive at the founding and remain vividly alive today."

Vice Provost for Research and Nobel Prize winner, Robert Richardson, articulated the mission statement for Cornell's research enterprise, "The goal of research at Cornell is to excel in the production of new knowledge in the training of the next generation of scholars, and in the transfer of results to society for use." 

Cornell's total research expenditures for fiscal year 2002, were $465.7 million.  $283.3 million of that funding came from federal sources.  Cornell ranks 13th in the nation and 1st in NYS for research expenditures.  For a breakdown of funds by federal agency, see the Vice Provost for Research Annual Report 2002 at http://www.osp.cornell.edu/VPR/AR/AR2002/index.html. 

Cornell's research program is broad in its scope and reach.  Resources abound for researchers in the Cornell University Library, which is comprised of 19 libraries.  The CU Library system holds celebrated collections with vast numbers of books, journals, and other materials that support learning, teaching, and scholarship.  The infrastructure supporting research at Cornell is vast.  Recently, the university made a $100 million investment in Duffield Hall.  The New Life Sciences Technology building, will be built over the next four years and has a price tag of $140 million.  This initiative, unparalleled in Cornell history, sets us apart from other schools, and is destined to have profound effects.

More than 100 interdisciplinary programs on campus conduct research and outreach activities.  Of those, many receive considerable funding from the federal government.  Specially designated centers include:

National Science Foundation

National Research Centers: Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source Laboratory for Elementary-Particle Physics- Cornell Electron Storage Ring, Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility, National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center

Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center: Center for Nanoscale Systems in Information Technologies

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: Cornell Center for Materials Research

Science and Technology Center Partnership: Nanobiotechnology Center

National Institutes of Health

NCRR Biomedical Technology Resource Centers: National Biomedical Center for Advanced Electron Spin Resonance Technology, Macromolecular Diffraction Biotechnology Resource Undulator for Structural Biology

NIBIB Biomedical Imaging Resource Center: Developmental Resource for Biophysical Imaging Opto-Electronics

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Research Service National Program Site: U.S. Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory

U.S. Department of Defense

University Optoelectronics Center: Center for Biochemical Optoelectronic Microsystems

U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration

Stewardship Science Academic Alliances Center of Excellence: Center for the Study of Pulsed-Power-Driven High Energy Density Plasmas

U.S. Department of Education

National Resource Centers: East Asia Program, Latin American Studies Program, South Asia Program, Southeast Asia Program

NYSTAR (New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research)

Centers for Advanced Technology: Institute for Biotechnology and Life Science Technologies, Alliance for Nanomedical Technologies

I hope this gives you a scope of the breadth of research here at Cornell.  For another perspective, simply look around you, at the students in your classes, your professors and TAs, and even at your own work, and appreciate the research activities happening every day.  Many thanks to Lesley York in the Vice Provost's Office for Research, for her Cornell research expertise and this response!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear topsy,

I asked our admissions staff at the Johnson Graduate School of Management to offer their perspective on your situation. They advise you that "while the quantity of experience will be counted from the time you graduate, the quality of experience is evaluated with everything you do.  What kind of impact did you have on your organization?  How was it better off by having you involved?  What kind of results do you obtain?" Once you jot some notes about these questions, contact the Johnson School Admissions Office and speak with one of the directors to dialog about your interests and how they may help you.  Go to
http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/academic/financialaid/tuition.html for
information on tuition and expenses.Good luck.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Lisa,

We'd be happy to be your featured website. Someone will be in touch with you.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear alum,

Please contact Webmaster Vitaliy Darovskikh at vd28@cornell.edu and you can explain the details of the problem to help him help you. I hope you can get things working.         .

Uncle Ezra   

Dear my not so computer literate nephew,

I'm afraid there's not enough information in your note to provide a specific answer.  The specific answer to this question will depend on your computer platform (Macintosh or Windows) and version of the Internet Explorer application.

There are general instructions for various versions on the Microsoft web site under:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q157/7/29.asp&NoWebConten t=1

If you are a member of the Cornell community, you may contact the CIT HelpDesk for personal support at (607) 255-8990, and they'll be happy to talk you through the steps.  You could also send them a detailed problem report (including his operating system and software version) at <helpdesk@cornell.edu>.  Their regular business hours are Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EDT, and Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear '02 alum,

Unfortunately, it appears you've lost a valued souvenir.  ID cards are used to identify you as a current member of the Cornell Community, be it student, employee, or recognized affiliate.  If you do not meet the recognized ID categories, which it sounds like you do not, then you cannot get one replaced.  Of course, if you decide to do graduate work here, we'll issue you a student ID card then. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Commuter,

It's finally open! It was a state project, not a Cornell one. I hope your drive is easier!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Employed,

Looking at your time committments and priorities is a good coping strategy for managing the stressors in your life. It is only natural that you took a job when you had the time, and that as a student, you find more demands on your time than you had envisioned. Your boss will understand. Have a talk with her as soon as possible and give her the opportunity to find a replacement, either inhouse or through new hiring. The longer you put it off, the more of a bind you might put her in. Being open with her will increase trust between you, and perhaps she'll hire you back some time on down the road.

You can't be all things to all people. You must first and foremost be true to yourself. You don't need to feel responsible for taking care of other people's jobs - in this case, your boss' job to fill hours and complete tasks. Your responsibility is to yourself and aligning your time and energies in service of your committed long-term goals, with respect to all who you meet along the way. Good luck!

Uncle Ezra   

Uncle Ezra   

Dear student,

I'm sorry about the circles, that is frustrating.  I'm happy to answer your questions here. SHIP provides coverage anywhere in the world.
The plan provides coverage at Gannett, with participating providers in
Ithaca, the U.S. and abroad. A primary care provider can be established at Gannett Health Center....right on campus. Or, you can access services with coverage by any of the participating providers working with the SHIP. It's your choice, but you do get a higher level of benefit coverage if you utilize Gannett or get a referral from Gannett if you need to be seen by a specialist. 

The SHIP requires a call to be made to The Chickering Group only if you must be admitted into the hospital. Admitted means staying overnight. Typically the hospital calls, but a family member can call as well.  If you receive care at a hospital Emergency Room, you should call to report accident details ...or you will receive a letter later asking for the details before the claim can be paid. This is so the plan can coordinate with any other insurance that may be liable for the injury...as in a car accident. 

You certainly can use your SHIP with any other participating provider
...there are over 40 thousand participating providers and facilities in the
U.S. You should also feel free to visit the campus customer service office
located in Gannett Health Center and we'd be happy to help you learn more about how to use the plan.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Blessed,
Don't worry, be happy that that is your problem. Your sensitivity to your
partner's body size shows you to be a caring individual. You don't know
before you try whether she will experience discomfort, as women's pelvic
sizes vary widely and their interest in "accommodating" different sizes
varies as much. And, our bodies and our psyches have an amazing ability to adjust to different situations. Talk openly with her knowing that such a conversation is itself an exciting and caring kind of foreplay. You will be showing her that you trust her with your confidences, and that you can trust her to be gentle and kind with your emotional vulnerability.

If you're unsure about how to approach her or if in the long run, these
issues become uncomfortable problems for you sexually, our clinical
counselors are available to talk with individuals and/or couples about
sexual activity and its many variations. The free appointments can be made at 255-5155.

Remember that the best sexual organ we have is our brain. Size will not be an issue when creativity, communication, sensitivity and love are in place.

Uncle Ezra   

I think most writing instructors would encourage you not ‘to write faster’ but to write more.  The key to good writing is revision, and that requires several drafts.  Usually if there is a good knowledge base of material, the first draft can be a ‘quick and dirty’ one.  Take the words of the assignment and turn it into a statement that gives your own response to the prompt.  Try to get it all out on paper as soon as you get the assignment.  Don’t worry too much about mechanics, syntax, or even organization.  Subsequent drafts can refine what you’ve written.  Some people prefer to use an outline.  Nothing formal is necessary; just jot down in some logical order what it is you want to say; formulate the thesis (your position based on the assignment); then, create the first draft followed by refining revisions.  For most people, once there is a good start, the rest of the process comes much more easily, so START EARLY AND DON’T PROCRASTINATE.

If you need to do substantial reading prior to writing an assignment, pace yourself.  Close reading takes time.  But don’t try to do it all at once.  Make a schedule and STICK TO IT.  Then read with the assignment in mind, highlighting those passages that might help you to support your writing.  Some find it helpful to create a preliminary thesis to the assignment to help order their reading.  Others outline the reading as they go and develop a thesis once they have finished.

What we’re basically talking about, here, is developing good study skills.  But don’t click off your computer.  Help is available at the Learning Strategies Center (5-6310).  Or contact the following individuals directly:

The Knight Institute for Writing across the Disciplines, Walk-In Service (Mary Gilliland, director <mg24> 5-1392), also provides a generous schedule for peer tutoring at Rockefeller Hall, Room 178, Sunday-Thursday, 3:30-5:30 PM Tatkon Center, Balch Hall, Rm. 3343, Sunday-Thursday, 7-10 PM Noyes Center, Rm. 320, Sunday-Thursday, 7-10 PM Purcell Center, Rm. 222, Sunday-Wednesday, 7-10 PM

Uncle Ezra   

Dear parent,

There are many activities for many different styles of explorations.  A few favorites are: the brand new Lab of Ornithology (tour at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/About/BuildingAndSanctuary/index.html) with its sound room to hear all different animal sounds, and play with them as well, and pick up a squirrel-proof bird feeder if you don't have one at their Wild Birds Store; the Johnson Art Museum (http://www.museum.cornell.edu/), with five floors of exhibits and a cafe; the Plantations (virtual tour at http://www.plantations.cornell.edu/) gift shop, winter and herb gardens and the pond; Sage Chapel with its stained glass, and the Chimes Tower if they can do stairs; the Apple Orchards opposite the Vet School has cider and apple tasting; any of the 4 waterfalls in town from Taughanock (7 miles north) to Buttermilk (Rt. 13 on the south end of town), or Ithaca Falls (just below campus). Mostly, they'll enjoy family times with their grandchild hearing tales of school. For special accommodations, contact clt_sds@cornell.edu, or call 607-254-4545.  I hope you all have a wonderful time!   

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Curious,

Halloween must be approaching because the great pumpkins have risen again over Cornell's campus, and our most visible landmark is looking quite spooky.  The pumpkin faces on the clock tower are the result of those clever Chimesmonsters.  One year, creative students put orange cellophane over the light bulbs and cardboard cutouts in the glass to turn the clock faces into pumpkins for their annual Halloween party (visit http://www.chimes.cornell.edu for details about this year's party).  These days the cardboard cutouts are still used to make the pumpkin faces, but the orange comes from a fiber optic lighting system used to illuminate the clock faces. 

The great pumpkin-prank, which captured the attention and imagination of national media as well as the local community, resulted when a pumpkin mysteriously appeared atop McGraw Tower one October morning in 1997.  Rumors abounded about the size and weight of the pumpkin as well as how it was put up there, rock climbers? helicopter?  The pumpkin lasted until March when it was removed as part of the McGraw Tower renovation project.  The hallowed out gourd was on display for a while at the information desk in Day Hall until it began to stink.  How did it get up there?  Elaine Engst, the University Archivist invited the perpetrator to submit a confidential confession that would be sealed in the archives for a number of years, the Cornell Daily Sun printed a series of articles with possible answers to how, and the Cornell Police still consider the case open.  Most likely, a clever few broke into McGraw Tower, climbed up through the belfry, and out a hatch (that is now permanently sealed) on the tower's roof.  From there, they may have rock climbed up to place the pumpkin on the lightening rod.  It was certainly a fun prank but dangerous too, and we are thankful that nobody was injured.  Happy Halloween!

Uncle Ezra