Dear fan,

Perhaps the most famous is the "Bourne Identity" (February 18, 2003) falling question answered by a visiting physics faculty, who took it back to New Zealand where it was picked up by the press. Then there was - is it possible to break a rainbow? (February 6, 2003).  I often think about the question about why black in worn in desert countries, which was kicked around amongst several faculty and staff before we decided it creates a microclimate between the body and the fabric (March 6, 2001 Q2).  I love to retell the old and new myths and the history of myself, the campus and the wonderful people who have made this place a legend. The question about the Feynman wobbling seal legend (January 27, 2004), retold by David Corson,  is a classic. The suspension bridge, the pumpkin on the clock tower, ghosts here and there.  Then there are the seasons of academic life, the rituals -- Dragon Day and Slope Day, Admissions, Commencement - there was the one about the mace getting broken that sparked a controversy with Dave Burak, which we ironed out. I like to be a tour guide of the campus, from the cow with a hole to the large old trees (December 9, 2003, Q6), the Ostrander Elm "gravestones" and the sentiments on the benches, the tallest and the oldest buildings, the sculpture outside Olin Library (March 27, 2003), to the innermost secret treasures - the brain collection, etc.and the 7 jewels (May 14, 2002).  Sometimes students will ask for clarification of rules, either academic or religious, which can bring interesting responses.

I like to help students understand themselves and their physical and mental health. I am glad that students can ask about suicidal feelings and get some help.  Some of these questions you never see on postings.  I like to help students get help with test anxiety and learning disabilities, adjustment to campus life, international students' difficulties, admissions problems, residential problems, sexual harassment, depression, anger, stress management, self-esteem.  As we reveal our innermost thoughts and fears in this online dialogue we realize that we are more alike than different.  And there there is love -- those are my favorite questions.  Love of professors,  (March 2, 2004 Q15), looking for love, finding love, same-sex love, losing love, and loving Cornell. Let me know which are your favorites.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear confused student,

To find out if you need to retake the course, please speak with your college registrar.  Individual college and school policies on grade minimums and how they relate to a particular course (i.e. major requirement, general requirement) vary.  Should you choose to retake the course, they will also be able to explain how both grades will impact your GPA and appear on your transcript.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear turning,

Your letter gave me a chuckle, and that is a good thing.  Perhaps we are all honing our writing skills. Do you have that in your career plans?

So now, I am happy to commiserate with you on the technological-human interface. The internet and email gave us wonderful ways to connect over time and space, so that working mothers can talk to their children from traffic jams, and travelling children can ease the minds of worried mothers and fathers back home on the farm.

But no, technology is not a substitute for warm bodies touching each other and creating sparks of love and light on cold nights.  "I believe College is a time to feel your skin, and bath in the beauty of youth" you say. To feel your aliveness, you must walk and talk and exercise your neural-muscular connections.  To do so, you must make time.  To make time, you must say 'no' to the lure of the computer, the Internet, and the quick but cold response of the keyboard and the monitor screen.

So, it is spring.  Push yourself out of the nest.  Fly. And sing for your mate.  Open your eyes and ears to the beauty of the non-techno world.

Rumi:

HOW SHOULD THE SOUL not take wings
when from the Glory of God

It hears a sweet, kindly call:
"Why are you here, soul? Arise!"

How should a fish not leap fast
into the sea from dry land

When from the ocean so cool
the sound of the waves reaches its soul?

How should the falcon not fly
back to his king from the hunt

When from the falconer's drum
it hears to call: "Oh, come back"?

Why should not every Sufi
begin to dance atom-like

Around the Sun of duration
that saves from impermanence?

What graciousness and what beauty?
What life-bestowing! What grace!

If anyone does without that, woe-
what err, what suffering!

Oh fly , of fly, O my soul-bird,
fly to your primordial home!

You have escaped from the cage now-
your wings are spread in the air.

Oh travel from brackish water
now to the fountain of life!

Return from the place of the sandals
now to the high seat of souls!

Go on! Go on! we are going,
and we are coming, O soul,

From this world of separation
to union, a world beyond worlds!

How long shall we here in the dust-world
like children fill our skirts

With earth and with stones without value,
with broken shards without worth?

Let's take our hand from the dust grove,
let's fly to the heavens' high,

Let's fly from our childish behaviour
and join the banquet of men!

Call out, O soul, to proclaim now
that you are rules and king!

You have the grace of the answer,
you know the question as well!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear seeker,

The Johnson School was named 20 years ago after Sam Johnson of SC Johnson and Sons.  We will be celebrating that event this April.  We have a full slate of great events this semester. The capstone is April 14
and 15, 2004 when the Johnson School and Cornell University present "Managing the Future:  A Summit on the Transformation of Business,"  to celebrate of the 20th anniversary of the naming of our business school.

 See http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/anniversary for program details and
registration. The reception in the Atrium on Wednesday April 14 at 6 p.m.
will be the "Johnson School Celebration" for the entire community, and it
will include members of the Johnson family and a special tribute to them and the school. As members of the Johnson School community, you and your guests are welcome to attend the lectures--which start Wednesday and run through Thursday--and sign-up for other events as listed on the registration form. We also hope to schedule student-only "sign-up" lunches with speakers on Thursday. Details will follow as we finalize this portion of the program.

Confirmed speakers include Sanford I. Weill, chairman, Citigroup Inc.; Warren R. Staley, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cargill, Incorporated; Jay S. Walker, founder and chairman, Walker Digital and Abby Joseph Cohen, managing director, Goldman Sachs.  Stephen Friedman, assistant to President George W. Bush for economic policy and director, National Economic Council will speak Thursday afternoon, followed by a panel on entrepreneurship in the 21st century, moderated by Jeffrey P. Parker.  The event will conclude with the Hatfield Lecture by Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Electric Company.

This is a fitting focus for our anniversary and a special opportunity to hear
from and mingle with a distinguished roster of invited guests. Stay tuned for
more updates as we get closer to the event.  Thanks for asking.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear student,

My spirit and remains are right here on campus along with my boundless love and devotion for this university.  On the North end of Sage Chapel just in front of the organ and choir loft there is a small Memorial Antechamber -that is typically kept locked.  The room contains my sarcophagus, along with several other Cornell notables including A. D. White and Jennie McGraw.  Our remains are in the crypt below.

As for the "claiming" of computers, that can be irritating, not unlike the
"claimed" seats in the crowded dining hall as you navigate for a table with your full tray of food.  On the flip side, aren't there times when you just want to hold your computer for a minute while you run to the restroom?  I would take this matter up with the staff in the library the next time that you are there; perhaps together you can propose an effective solution.  In the fitness centers they have a 5-minute "no-show" rule for folks signing up for equipment, perhaps something similar would work here?

Uncle Ezra   

Dear adora,

My contact at Gannett says that what you are describing is not unheard of, although for obvious reasons people don't discuss injury to the penis openly. Most people do not realize that the penis is just as vulnerable to injury as any other muscle in the body. The more energetic the activity, the higher the risk of injury.

From what you've described, there has been an injury sustained and your boyfriend should see a medical provider right away. He may be referred to a urologist. The popping sound is usually heard when there is a ligament sprain within the penis, or a "bending" of the penis at the base or middle during energetic lovemaking. Bending can seriously affect erectile function. Sometimes surgery is necessary to correct the damage.

It is very important that your boyfriend seek medical care and have the injury evaluated. Call Gannett (255-5155) to make an appointment ASAP. I hope all will be well.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear bored,

According to Kevin McGowan, our local crow expert at the Lab of Ornithology, the large populations of crows that you have been seeing are roosts. This interesting phenomenon is the congregation of a large number of birds into a single group to sleep together. Many species have roosts, and they usually occur outside of the breeding season. Crows have been congregating in large roosts in the fall and winter for as long as there have been crows. Crow roosts can range from small scattered roosts of under one hundred individuals to the spectacularly large roosts of hundreds of thousands, or even more than a million!

Kevin explains, "The large campus roost is new. Last year was the first time that a large roost was on campus (2000+ instead of the normal 600 or so). They are actually roosting in more different localities and in different ways in the last two years than at any time in the last 15 years." To learn more about crows and their roosts, visit http://birds.cornell.edu/crows/crowfaq.htm#roost.

Crowride by the late Archie Ammons

When the crow lands,

the tip of the sprung spruce bough

weighs so low,

the system so friction-free,

the bobbing lasts

way past

any interest

in the subject.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear student,

Unfortunately there is no comprehensive list or number for all of the languages taught here at Cornell.  But suffice it to say, there are a lot!  What are you interested in learning?  That is one way to approach the options.  Another is to use the search function on the online Courses of Study catalog (http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/Courses/) using terms such as "language" to help you find something that piques your interest.  Most languages reside in the department affiliated with those studies.  So romance languages are in the Romance Studies department, Swahili is in the Africana Studies department, Asian languages in Asian Studies, and so on.  However, there are a few outliers, for example Welsh is taught in Linguistics.  Whether you wish to study Arabic or Vietnamese Cornell has many opportunities to learn languages around the globe! 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Frustrated,

I am sorry that you are frustrated with the S/U grade option policy.  It is part of university legislation contained in the Faculty Handbook.  Generally, the reason for the early date in changing your grade option to S/U, is that we want students to select the grade option early, not based on how well they are doing in the class.  Given your concerns about your academic load this semester, I recommend that you make an appointment to discuss your academic situation and options with your faculty advisor or a professional advisor in your college to find the best course of action.  Good luck with the remainder of the semester.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear cat-owned,

Good veterinary care is important.  I'm glad you were able to find what your cat needed.  You can call the Vet School to see if they can retrieve your records. I hope you letter does give hope to those who need it. Good luck and good health to your feline friend in all 9 of her lives.

Uncle Ezra