Dear Sad Alum,

Diane Kubarek, Director of Web communications, reports that all of the web cameras were being aimed to follow the Dragon Parade as closely as possible.  The problem that you encountered was caused by too many people trying to view the web cam site at the same time.  There wasn't enough capacity for everyone to enjoy the view.  I'm so sorry that you missed it.  You can view pictures of the dragon on the CU home page, http://www.cornell.edu/.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Cascadillian,

Corey Earle gives us the low-down on Cascadilla Hall.

"Congratulations on being assigned a room in the oldest Cornell building!  However, you may be disappointed (or relieved) to hear that Cascadilla was never actually used as an insane asylum.  That rumor has been around for awhile (check out Question 9 in the archives on Oct. 6, 1994.

"In 1864, before Ezra Cornell had founded his institution for any person and any study, he was part of an effort to help make Ithaca a health resort.  A physician from nearby Dryden, Dr. Samantha Nivison, convinced Ezra and other community leaders to support the construction of a water-cure sanitarium named Cascadilla Place.  It was to be a medical facility where water, or hydrotherapy, would be used to treat pain or diseases, and where the ill could relax and recuperate.  Dr. Nivison hoped that it would serve as a school for female doctors as well  indicating Ezra's early interest in the education of women).

"Ezra was in charge of financing and overseeing the construction of the building, which explains its stark, utilitarian look.  It was constructed in 1866, after Cornell University's founding, and chances are that good ol' Ezra was already contemplating how to fit "The Cascadilla" (as it was called) into his plans.  Before the building was even completed, funds from its investors began to run low and construction was halted.  Arguing that the then under-construction Cornell University would complete the building and 'eventually establish a female department' in Cascadilla, Ezra (with two-thirds ownership) cunningly convinced the other investors to lease the building to the university, despite the protests of poor Dr. Nivison.  In 1869, the other investors gave their shares to the university, although Ezra's estate held on to part ownership until 1878.  Thus, Cornell University acquired its first building (excepting scattered farmhouses), and Cascadilla was never used for its original purpose (or as a 'female department' of Cornell).

"In the university's early years, Cascadilla was the main hub of activity; it was home to students, faculty, administration, dining halls, social events, and more.  However, it was not considered the most posh of living quarters; President Andrew Dickson White, who lived there before construction of his own house, called it 'an ill-ventilated, ill-smelling, uncomfortable, ill-looking alms-house.'  The building was poorly heated, the running water rarely worked, and the gas lights were a constant worry (students discovered they could blow down the gas jet to extinguish the gas in neighboring rooms, or occasionally start a fire).  While the students enjoyed the benefits of having brilliant faculty living in the same building, the faculty were less thrilled at housing their families amidst rowdy undergraduates.

"Since Cascadilla was the only university housing in the early days, many of the nonresident lecturers stayed in its "guest suite" while in Ithaca, including Louis Agassiz, James Russell Lowell, George William Curtis, Bayard Taylor, and Goldwin Smith.  Professor Isaac Roberts (first dean of the College of Agriculture) called Cascadilla 'The Bastille' while living there.

"Fortunately for you, the building has been significantly renovated multiple times since its early days.  The building was remodeled in 1884, with a new south entrance added.  In 1963, it was renovated for use by graduate students.  And in 1981, it was renovated once more, the roof was raised to add a floor, and undergraduate students returned."

Enjoy your stay.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear #1 Fan,

If you received a GT (guaranteed transfer) offer or the TO (transfer option), you should have received information about it from the college/school to which you were admitted and you should contact that school.  The information in the letter is very important and I wouldn't want to try to explain without knowing the college/school or the situation.   Every college within Cornell has different policies.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,
Contact your academic advisor right away to find out what's what.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear PhD Bound,

Thanks for the up-to-date information.  Sometimes the best info comes from someone facing similar challenges.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Newbie Tour Guide,

The chimesmasters are glad that you wrote me.  The Cornell tour guides are a powerful source of information, and they have accidentally started many rumors about the chimes over the years!

While Head Chimesmaster, Scott Silverstein, is not sure how the three-week rule got started; it has nothing to do with the Titanic theme song (which they still have in their repertoire).  More likely, the three-week rule (technically 3-weeks plus one-day) was instituted to keep the  chimesmasters on their toes, and the campus listeners engaged, with approximately 2000 pieces of music in the files.

Here are a few other facts that Scott wanted to share with you and the Cornell Community:
-The most requested song is "Here Comes the Sun".
-The best way to make a request is to climb McGraw Tower and ask the chimesmaster playing the concert!
-The three-week rule does not apply to requests (but we reserve the right to deny a request - the chimesmaster may not be familiar with the arrangement).
-The view from the top of the tower is spectacular, and a chimes concert is like no other musical performance!
-Some of the traditional songs they do play are "Puff the Magic Dragon" for Dragon Day; the theme from "Love Story" when Harvard hockey come to Lynah, and "If I Only Had a Brain" during final exams.

Oh, and that's not "O Christmas Tree" you hear every evening during the 6pm concert - well, not exactly.  It's the "Cornell Evening Song" which shares its tune with "Tannenbaum".

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Alums for Slope Day,

Slope Day is fast approaching.  By the end of March all of the information about how alumni can get tickets will be available on the Slope Day website, http://www.slopeday.cornell.edu/2008/index.php. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Thoughtful,

I would love to be able to connect people, but due to confidentiality that is impossible.  Thank you for the offer and I hope that you can find others who you are able to relate to.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear TOPHER Fan,

I don't know the details, but you don't have to skate on the ice very long to notice the connection...ChrisTOPHER.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Toasty,

Thank you.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Nostalgic Niece,

Cornell and local music groups are well represented at The Cornell Store.  Peg Darling (pi10) will know about particular CD's that you might be interested in.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

I'm sorry to read about your challenges...and hope you proceed to get the care you need.  

The SHIP provides benefits for covered medical treatment - rare, or otherwise.

There are, in fact, three levels of coverage provided by the plan.  These levels of coverage can not be altered on a case by case basis.  Hopefully, by understanding how the plan is designed, you may then understand ways in which the plan can assist you in paying for your health care expenses...whether you seek care at a participating provider in the Ithaca area or anywhere else in the world.

The SHIP, and all health insurance plans with participating providers / different levels of benefits work the same way.  Where there are higher levels of coverage (as in the Ithaca area) there are participating provider contracts in place that allow the higher benefit.  Plans such as these are not designed to say that all your care can, or should be provided by providers in the higher level area.  Sometimes, even in cities where there is an array of participating providers, plan members may decide to see a provider out of the network. 

While you would have a lower benefit with a non-participating provider, there is what is called a Stop Loss benefit under the SHIP.  Simply put, if the benefit level is 80%, once the 20% of covered expenses reaches the $1,500.00 limit, the plan will pay the remainder of your covered expenses at 100% for the remainder of the plan year.  If the benefit level is 70%, as is the case of a provider who is not a participating Aetna provider, once the 30% of covered expenses reaches $1,500.00, the plan
converts to 100% coverage.  If you are faced with needing extensive medical treatment, and you are getting care with a non-participating provider, this can be a very important part of the plan.  You can get more detailed SHIP benefit info and access participating providers by visiting the Student Insurance web site, www.studentinsurance.cornell.edu

All this insurance-ese can be confusing and complicated to understand.

The Office of Student Insurance is staffed with folks who can help you understand and use your SHIP.  While staff cannot change the benefits provided by the plan, they can help you to understand the benefits available to you, and may also be able to refer you, if you need additional financial assistance.

Uncle Ezra