Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Anyone who obtains a Cornell student's netid (which is very easy to find) and password (a lot harder to find, but accidents happen) can then find that student's Social Security number. Why are our SSN's listed in Just the Facts? Why would I ever need to look up my SSN? Along those lines, I have occasionally been required to give my SSN for things at Cornell. For example, I needed to give it to receive a refund check for a Cornell-sponsored music ensemble tour deposit. Our SSN's are not identifying numbers at Cornell; that's what student ID numbers are for! Why does Cornell a) insist on making our SSN's available in Just the Facts and b) permit any of its departments to use them as identifying numbers? With all of the identity theft going on in the world today, this is outrageous.

Thank you,

Annoyed at this horrendous security hole

Dear Annoyed,

First, if you have any concern that someone may know your NetID password, change it today. CIT has a new feature where you can select and answer security questions to help you remember your password should you forget it in the future.

As for your questions, I shared them with my colleagues in the Office of the University Registrar, and their answers made me feel a lot better - I hope they make you feel better too. The Social Security Number (SSN) was used as the primary identifier for many years. Fortunately, that practice was discontinued over five years ago. Yes, if you go to the "my IDs" screen in Just the Facts, you will find your SSN - if you have one. The page was created about three years ago as the university moved students from a 6-digit to a 7-digit Cornell ID number in preparation for a new student information system. SSN was added to that page to help students clarify the "number jumble." This spring that new student information system, including a new Just the Facts, without the "my IDs page" will be implemented. While SSN will appear somewhere within the new JTF they are looking at "xxx-ing" it out.

As for part b, there are still legitimate business functions where your SSN is required. Use of the SSN is not about identification within Cornell, but about broader reporting and compliance for government and tax purposes. For example, if you qualify for financial aid, have a student job, or you are reimbursed for a travel expense, you will need to provide your SSN or taxpayer ID number. Fortunately, related documents, such as Cornell paychecks only display your Cornell ID number.

To be safe, it is always smart to ask "why?" when someone asks you for your SSN, but there are still cases where you will need to provide it.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Last semester I was in a class that caused a problem for me. To make a long story short, I got an F in the class because I was found of carelessness and plagerism on a final project, however not found in breach of the code of academic integrtiy. I recently found out that there was a prerequisite course required to take that class. I never took that class because I did not know. Since I did not take the prerequisite and should not have been in the class to begin with, my question to you is does my point have any merit and what is the policy regarding something like that and can I petition to get the class removed from my gpa ?
- Concerned student

Dear Student,

For this question and many specific questions about grades and courses it makes sense to go straight to your faculty advisor. If for any reason you are not comfortable speaking with your faculty advisor, you can also meet with one of the academic advisors in your college. Check the links on the left-hand side of my site for academic advising office contacts in your college.

Uncle Ezra

DUE,
Why does it feel like we have to make such an effort to make friends here? I'm not white/middleupper class/a party person, and even if I'm involved in other things, there's no such thing as integration and diversity on campus. It's not fair- so many of my other friends are at small schools, and it's not even like they do as much work as we do. So why do they have such an easy time to meet others and get acquainted with so many students? I understand I should make an effort to get out of my comfort zone and all that, but 1) nobody else does and 2) there's never enough time in the day to do stuff like that. What's the advantage of going to such a large school where everyone is a stranger?

Sincerely,
Wishing I wasn't here

Dear Lonely,

Growth and transitions during the college years produce a variety of feelings. In addition to the excitement and anticipation there are also feelings of loneliness. Not just for you, but to some extent for everyone. Loneliness is not necessarily the same as being alone.

People who are lonely sometimes think, "I am the only one who feels this way". or "The grass looks greener on the other side!" As you become discouraged and lose your sense of desire and motivation to meet people, you end up isolating yourself. Loneliness is not the product of a college that is large or small.

Loneliness is neither a permanent state nor "bad" in itself. It is an important signal that tells you that some of your needs are not being met. It tells you that it is time to take action. First, determine which needs aren't being met. Is it a group of friends that you are looking for or one special friend? Or maybe what you need is to learn how to feel better or more confident about yourself. After you have more clarity about what your goals are you will be better able to choose the right path.

You are right on target when you say that what you need to do is make an effort to get out of your comfort zone and get acquainted with other students. You will see that there is a very diverse community of students here at Cornell who do interact on many levels. Everyone will be a stranger until you make the effort to get to know them.

Put yourself in new situations. Make use of campus resources and student activities. Work at developing social skills. Don't judge people based on your first impressions. Intimate relationships take time to develop. Do the things that interest you and you will find others who have common interests.

If finding the time to socialize is part of the problem, try to "kill two birds with one stone." Go out to dinner with a friend or group of people from a class, initiate a study date or find people who walk the same path as you do and strike up a conversation.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Hello. From doing research I have discovered that Cornell has a Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, The International Honor Society for Economics. How does one become a member of this group, it says on the website there is a form to be filled out but I see no information about this or Omicron Delta Epsilon at Cornell anywhere. Also, where can I learn more about the Omicron Delta Epsilon chapter at Cornell. Thanks in advance for your help.

Dear Econ Major,

Information about the Cornell Economics Society can be found at: http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/search.php?igroup=483&year=organizati ons.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Anne,

I assume you are referring to the 161 things to do before graduating. Why 161? If you complete task #161 you'll see why! Over the years this list has been published and updated. A version published in 2005 can be found at http://www.cornell.edu/search/index.cfm?tab=facts&q=161%20things&id=1139.
It looks like you've already completed #150, "Ask Uncle Ezra a question."

Uncle Ezra

Dear Test-Taker,

After much searching, I was unable to find evidence that the prelim archive exists, nor was I able to find a staff member with information about it. Professors generally give out practice prelim exams if they feel they would be helpful in studying for the exams.

Remember that practice questions are only one aspect of studying - in fact, many say that they should be used towards the end of studying, only after concepts have been thoroughly explored in notes and textbooks and confusing points clarified by professors or TA's. The Learning Strategies Center (5-6310) may be able to help you with your study techniques if you're not finding your current methods to be helpful.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Do you know if there is any plan to deploy Red Rover in Baker, particularly Baker 200. I happen to have most of my classes in this room, and it is highly annoying not to be able to use the internet. Also, even though Rockefeller is supposedly covered, I can never get more than a spotty signal on my ipod touch, except when I am in the basement. Why is this? Is Rockefeller actually covered by Red Rover?

Does Cornell Fitness have any plans to deploy red rover in Helen Newman? I would love to watch you tube videos while I work out...

Thanks

A Wireless Cornellian..

Dear Wireless,

I'm sorry you're having trouble getting on the Internet in your classes.

With regards to Baker 200 and Helen Newman Hall, it seems that the
departments responsible for those spaces would have to request that wireless access be installed in those locations. You might want to try contacting the building managers for those two buildings to see if it's in the plans for the future. At http://www.fs.cornell.edu/fs/fs_facilFind.cfm, you can look up contact
information for all campus building coordinators.

As for Rockefeller Hall, it is officially on the list of Red Rover locations. However, CIT is systematically going through the
buildings on campus, replacing the access points in buildings such as
Duffield, Kennedy, and Roberts Halls.

A big thank you to my friends at the CIT Helpdesk for help with this
question!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Ex-biker,

It is possible that the Salvation Army Thrift Store in downtown Ithaca will pick up a large item. Call them and see when they might be interested and available to pick up a broken item like this. Anyone with an old bicycle (non-stationary) they are looking to recycle might want to contact RIBS - Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles (http://velonet.org/ribs/index.php).

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
In response to 1/24/08,
Q1:

Try browsing Ebay - it is an excellent resource for such books, which can often be acquired for very reasonable prices.  I recently picked-up an autographed copy
"A History of Cornell" on Ebay for only $20 (much cheaper than Amazon!).

After that, I suggest reading the Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White, which is freely available online as its copywrite has long since expired, and "The Cornell Campus" by Kermit Parsons.

If you can get your hands on it, the Cornell Daily Sun published a fantastic history of the university for paper's 100th anniversary with many rare photographs titled "A Century at Cornell" - a quick search located a copy for about $10.

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/cornellguide.html#books  is a good introductary list of Cornell information sources. Also, check out the Cornell articles on Wikipedia, written by a number of fellow Cornell-loving alums.

Dear Fellow History Lover,

Thanks for your ideas!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
With regard to dogs on campus, the current lore in the late 60's was that Mrs. Schoelkoph had donated with said restriction. My own dog (Kimball) was famous for having the best attendace at the 8:00 am 5th year design class (Spring, 1968), frequently accompanying Drs. Maas and Akerman on stage in Bailey, mounting another dog beside the podium in Gov 101 (after the laughter died down, the prof remarked dryly, "I thought you guys knew about that."), for howling in the hallway of Goldwin-Smith for the first hour of a new Sociology professor's first lecture at CU (at the break the classroom was opened to dogs and Kimball slept under my chair for the entire second hour), generally living in Noyes Lodge (our favorite eating spot) and for having more friends than just about anyone else at Cornell. I can only say that the ordinance regarding pets on Campus is in opposition to one of our finest traditions, and the writing of such an ordinance reminds me of a quote regarding those for whom the hottest region of hell is reserved!