Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Tuesday, December 8, 2009

DUE,

I'm lucky to have had not one, not two, but three absolutely wonderful grandmothers (one is technically my step-grandmother, but our relationship is much the same). Growing up, they gave me lots of love, support, and grandmotherly wisdom. However, there is one (rather embarrassing and silly) issue that has always been a source of controversy between them, and I was wondering if you could settle the matter once and for all.

You see, one grandmother, who was quite a character, always told me that a girl should always wear a bra, even during sleep, because if not her boobs will be saggier by the time she herself is a grandmother than if she spent too much time au naturale. As evidence, she pointed out how her boobs were much perkier than her three sisters, who were, by her description, "a bra-opposing hippies". This particular grandmother was a doctor, so maybe she was right.

I remember once that my second grandmother, also not shy about boob talk, gave me completely contradictory advice, basically saying that if you "depend" too much on a bra your boobs won't be as perky. I hope she's right, because wearing a bra all the time doesn't sound all that comfortable.

I don't know what my third grandmother's position on bras and boob perkiness is, but she's definitely against too much bra usage. She recently told me about having read an article saying that women who wear bras too much or that are too tight are more likely to get breast cancer (which is interesting, although perhaps unrelated, because the "bra-supporting" grandmother actually got breast cancer once).

Now the reason I ask you is because, while it obviously won't be the end of the world if I get saggy boobs when I age, my friend recently told me that her grandmothers have also given her contradictory advise about the subject, and we're both very curious to find out who's right. I have no idea if there's even any evidence to support any of their claims, but if there is, I'm sure you are the person to find it!

Thanks,

A bra-wearer (well, MOST of the time)

Dear Sassy Brassiere,

Ah, the age-old question: what came first, the saggy boob or the bra to hold it up? Not necessarily being an expert on the issue myself, I consulted with some wonderful Cornell ladies in the Women's Resource Center to get to the bottom of this puzzle.

First, the bad news: sagging or drooping of breasts is a natural, inevitable process that happens to all women at some point. The simple reason for this is that breasts don't have muscles in them, just ligaments and connective tissue. When gravity pulls the breasts down, as it inevitably will, those ligaments and skin can stretch, and as such, your boobs will get a little droopier. This depends on the elasticity of your skin and your ligaments, which is genetically determined, and also on normal aging processes. Smaller-breasted readers, rejoice! Less gravity means less sag. Large breasts will sag easier since the gravity is pulling them down more.

But now, onto some good news! Though bras will keep your breasts from sagging while you're wearing them, there is no published medical literature showing that bras prevent sagging. In fact, some studies have shown that by not always wearing a bra, a woman can keep the ligaments that support her breasts normally from atrophying, therefore keeping her chest perkier. It's the "use it or lose it" argument: basically, just as your arm ligaments can weaken when your arm is broken and in a cast, constant bra-wearing may keep ligaments similarly immobilized and keep breasts from being able to support their own weight.

The one caveat to this: during running, jogging, and other strenuous exercise, breasts can bounce enough to stretch the ligaments inside them. This can cause breasts to sag more, so it's recommended to wear a sports bra during these kinds of activities. Also, as the women I spoke to have told me, it's just more comfortable that way.
What to do if you're trying desperately to avoid sag? Well, like I said, it is a part of the natural aging process. However, there are some measures women can take. For example, toning the pectoral muscles beneath the breasts, exfoliating and moisturizing your skin, and even standing up straight can help your chest look perkier. Moreover, the Women's Resource Center assures me there are any number of pretty and practical shaping undergarments that a woman can wear to achieve the look she wants.
The real take-away here is to love your body, however it looks, and be thankful for everything it does! You're lucky to have such supportive (okay, bad pun) women in your life.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

All this talk of the Poisonous Plants Garden brought back a question I've had for a while: why are there no longer Cannabis plants in the garden? As I recall there were only a few (maybe even just one) and not a serious concern to theft and I thought it was important to include it among the various plants toxic to animals. Especially when you think of all the college students with pets who might leave their habits out on the table for Muffy or Frodo to find...

Dear Friend of Frodo,

Your Uncle tries not to dwell on “all the college students with pets who might leave their habits out on the table,” and instead thought to call Dr. Mary C. Smith DVM. She’s a professor of Veterinary Medicine who uses the Poisonous Plants Garden to teach students what animals shouldn‘t eat. Dr. Smith says:

“This person must go back a long way, as I have not seen a cannabis plant in the garden since I graduated from the vet school in 1972. I have seen cannabis growing in medicinal and poisonous plants gardens at vet schools in Europe. Cornell Plantations maintains the garden and has responded to requests in the past to add new poisonous plants. However, I suspect that the University prefers to let students look at pictures of the plant on the web rather than growing an illegal plant in our garden, so I will not be requesting the addition of this plant.”

If you do want to look at pictures on the Web, start at this site from the Department of Animal Science: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html. The listing for Cannabis sativa says the “most affected species” are dogs, ferrets, cats and goats. That includes Frodo the Ferret, no doubt.

Uncle Ezra

Uncle Ezra,

My boyfriend is a little frisky and likes to initiate sexual acts around campus. What are the consequences of getting caught?

Sincerely, Hesitant but undoubtedly horny

Dear Hesitant and Horny,

I had to read this a few times to understand that you are asking, "What if he gets caught having sex with YOU around campus", and not you catching him with someone else.

Even as a 200 year old guy, I can see the excitement in this! This is a good example of freedom with responsibility. As you are evaluating your choices and going through the risk-benefit analysis, you are wise to consider whether there are negative consequences for you and your boyfriend.

Aside from the embarrassment of being caught, the Cornell Campus Code of Conduct prohibits an individual from exposing a "private or intimate part of one's body in a lewd manner" or from committing a "lewd act in a public place." The JA's Office has received referrals for couples engaging in consensual sexual acts in lounges of residence halls and on the Slope, for example. Depending on the circumstances, sanctions have included community work, alcohol/drug education, reflection papers, reprimands and/or warnings. This could result in a disciplinary record. And be aware that if you are drunk, not practicing safe-sex and/or if this is not consensual there can be further repercussions.

With all this taken into account, have fun.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I am a freshman and I love Cornell and Ithaca but I am experiencing a kind of culture shock.I knew that there were a lot of fraternities and sororities here but I had no idea how much they controlled student life. Now I realize that they even control the on campus housing lottery. Why does housing allow blocking for so many people? It seems so unfair that one person with a good number can pull in 4 or 5 other friends. It would be much more reasonable if the blocking limit was maybe two or three. That would leave some rooms open for students in smaller groups. Not every freshman plans to rush and then block into West Campus with other pledges from their house. Did the people who designed this system think about how the fraternities and sororities would take over West Campus? Did anyone think about facebook and how people would use it to circumvent the lottery system? I am angry that no one at Cornell seemed to anticipate this, or maybe they did but it was just easier to fill up the suites faster. This whole process resembles the worst of high school mean girl culture. Housing should get some professors or grad students from the sociology and psychology and math/statistics departments to design a better system because right now the whole housing lottery is nothing but stressful. And it lasts way too long and way too many people end up unhappy. I would like to live on West Campus and I would really like to meet some new people sophomore year. My main question is this: What's with the blocking? Please help. Your niece, SADABOUTHOUSING

Dear Sadabouthousing,

I know that the Housing Lottery and Room Selection process can be a very stressful time for students. Most students are anxious to live with friends, and the truth of the matter is that more students want to live in the West Campus House System than there is space available.

I am told by the good folks in the Campus Life Housing Office that they do everything they can to make Housing Lottery and Room Selection as fair as possible for all students. That's why the Housing Lottery is completely random, giving students Room Selection timeslots that are automatically (and randomly) generated through a computer program, grouped into time periods based on class year. And because the number one concern among students is their ability to block with friends, the Housing Office tells me, students are permitted to select rooms with up to four other people they know. Unfortunately, this system does not benefit a student who receives a high lottery number, and is not lucky enough to get pulled in to block with a friend with a lower lottery number. But that is the nature of chance: some students will get their top choice, and some will not be as lucky.

The Housing Office also assures me that the Housing Lottery and Room Selection process has no connection with the Greek system. Students who wish to live with friends from their fraternity, sorority, sports team, club, or any other group all go through the same housing process, and all have the same chances of living where and with whom they want.

However, if you believe that the current blocking rules are unfair, there may be other students on campus who agree with you. I suggest that you contact the Student Assembly (www.assembly.cornell.edu/SA/Home) and propose a discussion at one of their weekly meetings. The Student Assembly recently was successful in passing three resolutions that will impact future Housing Lottery and Room Selection rules -- the most significant of which calls for rising sophomores to select their rooms before rising juniors and seniors. If your ideas for blocking changes are popular among other students, perhaps the Student Assembly will take up your cause!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I am sure you are being harassed by nervous applicants asking this same question, but when will Cornell be releasing Early Decision admissions decisions?

Thanks!

Dear Anxious,

I know how unbelievably torturous this wait is for you. It may be one of the most difficult waits you will have to do in your life. Hang in there a bit more.

Here's your answer; straight from the Admissions Office!

"A message will be posted on the admissions web site this week indicating that we will notify early decision applicants on the evening of December 10th. We will communicate specific instructions to applicants via our web site and through e-mail messages to individual applicants. Please encourage students to be patient as we finish reviewing early decision applications and prepare to notify students."

Good luck, I want to see all of you here next September!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle, I am currently enrolled in CAS, and will be taking CRP 1101 The Global City next semester. I still need to satisfy my breadth requirement for a course that focuses on an area or people outside of the US, Canada, or Europe. Courses in AAP don't fulfill Arts requirements, but it seems as though a case could be made for this course fulfilling the requirement. Is there any way I can petition for this course to count towards my breadth requirements? Thanks, neph

DUE, The semester is coming to an end and I am beginning to think about summer internships outside of Ithaca, mainly in CA or NYC, the only problem with this is that I have am an undergraduate that lives off campus with a husband and two cats. My husband is also going to school and we both are trying to figure out what to do with the summer. I really want to take an internship out in CA, but I don't know how I would pay for two rents for the summer months I wouldn't be here. Do you have an suggestions to what I should do. Thank You-

Dear Summer Intern,

If you’re thinking about subletting your Ithaca place for the summer (and if that’s okay with your landlord), this is a perfect time to start advertising. Craigslist (specifically “ithaca craigslist > housing > sublets & temporary”) is one high-traffic site, and undoubtedly there are others. It’s not clear from your question whether your place includes the husband and two cats (which could be an asset or maybe not) but if so, you’ll want to make that perfectly clear in your post.

Another option might be to list it with Cornell's Off Campus Housing Office located in Willard Straight Hall.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I am a student in the College of Engineering and I am wondering what the term "engineering design" means. The reason I am asking is that I plan to do an independent major,which encompasses a primary area and a secondary area. It's a special program that allows students to essentially tailor their own major program, and thereby enjoy greater flexibility regarding course selection. I sent one of the professors in charge of the Independent Major an email wherein I gave a list of proposed courses for my primary area and the professor said that the list does not contain any courses that include "engineering design". I asked him what he meant by "engineering design" but I haven't gotten a reply yet and I need to know what "engineering design" means as soon as possible so I can quickly modify my list of proposed courses. I'm told that this professor is currently in India so I don't know when he will respond to my email. So in case I don't hear from him I'm wondering if you can help me. I asked a few people in engineering advising but even they don't know what "engineering design" means.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks Rajdeep Guha

Dear Rajdeep,

I wish I could help you, but I don't know which courses would complete this specification. Engineering design usually refers to a process of developing products. It is a way of making decisions that takes into account science, math and resource knowledge in order to create a specific product. It is a step-by-step process that usually starts with defining the problem.

My suggestion is to continue emailing that professor, but at the same time contact another professor here at Cornell who teaches courses that are similar to that professor. They might know what the prof in charge of the Independent Major means. Another choice would be to talk to the dean of your department or the dean of the prof's department. Last option is to look through course offering descriptions and see which ones mention that they cover Engineering Design.

So sorry that this is being so hard for you. Good luck finding what you need.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I need to get to the Amtrak station in Syracuse after finals are over. What bus service can get me there?

dear uncle ezra,

i am an engineering student who recently has taken an interest in learning more about law school. is there anyone i can contact for advice (should i be taking pre-law classes for electives, should i take some writing courses, etc.)? also, is it true that law schools value (read: will tolerate somewhat lower gpa's for admission) engineers more than students with traditional humanities backgrounds

best

Dear Legal Engineer,

Law Schools are looking for people who are smart, passionate and talented. Making a switch may actually indicate more dedication since the process of transitioning will take a bit of effort. It is possible that your lower GPA in Engineering actually supports your reasons for changing to Law!

Having a dual interest in Law and Engineering might also be a plus, especially if you are interested in something like patent law. I am not sure what courses would be best for you to take, but there are advisors in every college on campus who can help students interested in attending Law School.

Each college at Cornell has it's own advisor for Pre Law, http://www.career.cornell.edu/law/advising.html. For Engineering, you should call 5-8240. The path to a career that really meets one's passion is not always a direct path. Along the way one picks up skills and experiences that together make a well rounded person. Good luck to you.

Uncle Ezra

DUE,

My best friend got a ticket for jaywalking in Collegetown :( we're from NYC so this is quite unsettling. Do you know of any resources on/off campus that might be able to legally support him or give advice? I thought about the ombudsman but I don't know if they'd help since it was in Collegetown.

Love, Worried Niecie

Dear Worried,

An ombudsman helps resolve problems and complaints within the university community. Its function can be described less as advocacy and more as achieving fairness and due process. The office is centrally located in 118 Stimson Hall and the e-mail address is ombudsman@cornell.edu.

Any member of the Cornell community--students, faculty, and staff--and others may bring a complaint concerning any aspect of the university. Since you are not voicing a complaint about the university, the Ombudsman can't really help with this situation.

If your friend wants advice about a legal situation that has nothing to do with Cornell the best place to get it would be from a lawyer. He could contact one that he knows from home or one here in Ithaca. My guess is that the legal fees would probably be much more that the ticket, so paying it might be the best way to go if finances are a concern.

Uncle Ezra

Hi Unc,

There are a lot of problems facing our country and the world today. The left and the right in our country are continually battling over what to do about the economic crisis, foreign wars, health care, etc.

The issue I'd like to bring up is in the etc. It is global warming (or more accurately, climate change). I'm a scientist, and I'm convinced by and agree with the overwhelming number of scientists who agree that the current climate change issues are at the least exacerbated by humans burning fossil fuels and that we need to do something about it.

Unfortunately, there appears to be a well funded and very vocal minority of people who keep clouding the issue with propaganda, made-up "facts" and other distortions. And this group seems to be very adept at misleading the general public about this. Their screed is that there is no global warming or that it has been highly exaggerated and that everyone in the gov't and all the scinetists now know it. But even though they now know it that there is no global warming, there is a cover-up of massive proportions to keep the money rolling in; to governments who (they claim) have already invested a lot of time and money into a strategy to combat global warming, to people like Al Gore, who are "getting rich" from talking about global warming, and to scientists who are raking in research money - but only if they pretend to agree with the theory of anthropogenic climate change.

This rubbish put forward by the "denier" community is all so far fetched to someone like me who works in academia in the sciences. Yet I see some of my old high-school friends who have turned into rabid right-wingers foaming at the mouth and repeating all of this non-scientific drivel. These are smart guys, but not scientists. And the folks that are putting all this stuff forward are so good at what they do, that they have these non-scientists (and even some scientists) convinced that global warming is the scam of the century.

And they have enough people convinced about this that they are exerting enough pressure on the gov't that we are delaying and not doing enough of what needs to be done to keep our planet healthy.

I occasionally make a post pointing out the fallacies in the denier's arguments, but it's impossible to argue with someone who holds onto such a conspiracy theory. And what makes it worse is that the deniers have cleverly turned the tables, calling belief in anthropogenic climate change a "religion" that scientific facts cannot sway. When you try to point out the fallacies in their "facts" they still insist that it is I and the 98% of scientists who concur have it wrong and that they know better.

Hey, I wish I were wrong - there is a small chance that there is no global warming problem - but is it really worth gambling our children's future on?

I just don't know what to do about this contingent (probably backed by $$ from the oil and gas industry) that seems to be winning in their effort to mislead the public and delay action while they make money at the expense of the quality of life of our children and grandchildren.

I feel so powerless that I can't convince them of the importance of doing something now about this problem. At home, we do what we can to conserve, but we need a global solution to this global problem and these folks are getting in the way.

Do you have any advice Ezra? It's really driving me crazy, and I feel I'm putting a lot of effort into this sometimes, with absolutely no return. What should I do?