Dear Historical Sloper,

In 1901, the first recorded "Spring Day" takes place. Spring Day was a celebration of the end of winter and imminent warm weather. This tradition continued for the next half century. Over the years, Spring Day was comprised of events ranging from variety shows to circuses. One year there was a mock bullfight; another year students, staff, faculty and guests enjoyed the Fraternity Float parade. While many of these events took place at and were centered around the University's open spaces (including Libe Slope), there were many activities that took place indoors, as well as off campus.

From 1960 - 1978 protests and unrest took place in the spring at the University. There was little time and place for any celebration during these years. In addition to nationwide protests and civic discord, many minimum legal drinking age restrictions were lifted.

In 1979, Cornell Dining sponsored a barbeque on Libe Slope on the last day of classes and Spring Fest was born. This so-known "Great Feast" started in the afternoon, and was centered on a big chicken barbeque and live music. New York State's MLDA of eighteen made it possible for alcohol to be served at Spring Fest, as most Cornell students were over eighteen by the end of the school year.

The federal government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984, mandating that all states had two years to increase their MLDA to 21 or lose Federal-aid highway funding. New York changed their MLDA because of this act, and so the university's alcohol policy was changed to reflect the change in state law.

In the face of these legal changes and the public sentiment that precipitated it, it was no longer feasible for the university to allow the event. Slope Day, as it came to be called, became an informal gathering of students on university property. During that time, the focus of Slope Day shifted from food, music and celebration to widespread and uncontrolled alcohol consumption.

I know that late in the 80's they tried to move it to north campus. It was deemed a failure because "only" 1000 went and people went to the slope anyway. Slope Day was cancelled in 1988 due to violation of drinking related laws and concerns for safety.  In 1991 VP Palmer "canceled" it again, but 4000 showed anyway.

In 1993, an organization, known as SOS (Save Our Slope), was created in order for students, staff, and faculty to provide a "positive presence" on Slope Day. These volunteers today fulfill vital roles in the event from working to ensure the safety of those attending, to manning the gates, fence, and checkpoints, distributing water, and keeping the Slope clean. SOS is now a subcommittee of the Slope Day Programming Board. Without SOS volunteers in their brightly colored tee shirts, Slope Day couldn't happen!

In 1993, a new and improved Slope Day was created by a Steering Committee of students, faculty, and staff. Live entertainment (Rusted Root and Fat Joe) brought to the Slope, Catered alcohol service, food serve from Cornell Dining, and giveaways became a part of the celebration as well.  A student-administration partnership was created, one where students would take the lead in planning and organizing programming and direction for the day. The Slope Day Programming Board was created and funded by the Student Assembly to organize the event, return SlopeFest to the Slope, and bring bigger and better entertainment to the day.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Friend,

Congratulations on getting published – but why stop there? Campus literary magazines are a great way to mingle with like-minded Friends of the Written Word as you debate the merits of submissions for the magazine and enjoy the perquisite of getting something of your own in print.

If open mic is more your style, show up downtown for a Works in Progress reading at Buffalo Street Books.  There’s an 8-minute-per-author limit, and you’ll want to prepare for feedback because Ithaca readers don’t mind telling you what they think. 

Who knows but maybe before you graduate with that APLE (“academic priorities lie elsewhere”) degree you’ll find time to actually take something in the English Department, as recommended by Writing Workshop Director Joe Martin, who says: “The introductory creative writing classes, ENGL 2800/2801, are extremely popular and might serve as a gateway for this writer's interests.”  Even Thomas Pynchon studied engineering physics (in Rockefeller Hall) before crossing the road to major in English (in Goldwin Smith).

There are also 885 Student Organizations on the Corenll Campus.  I am sure there are a few that fit the bill.  Check them out through the Cornell Student Activities site:

http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/browse.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Kelly,

While Physics Dept Chair Ritchie Patterson rummages through the closet for a spare Van de Graaff generator (and we’ll get back to you in private with arrangements, because Prof Patterson can’t have every waist-length-hair dude in town lining up at Clark Hall for a photo opp) Your Uncle has some questions for you:

How did this follicular folly get so far out of hand?  Wasn’t there something in your wedding vows about this?  I still remember my dear-but-assertive wife, Mary Ann, saying:

“Ezzie, darling, you’re posing for that nice Arts Quad statue today. Could you possibly trim your beard? And don’t carry that crooked old walking stick! What happened to the handsome cane the kids gave you last Christmas? Remember what Mr. Morse said. Be careful not to lean on that telegraph machine behind you. Those things are electrically charged and it will make your hair stand on end.”

Anyway, congratulations on 15 years of more-or-less wedded bliss.  You’re an inspiration to all of us.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Rushing,

Informal recruitment takes place in both the spring and the fall.  The
purpose of this process is to attract women who for one reason or another
were unable to participate in the formal recruitment process in January.
Each semester 2-4 chapters participate and a list of participating
chapters and their recruitment chairs can be obtained from the Office of
Fraternity & Sorority Affairs.

The process is considered informal because many of the events are casual
and are an opportunity for the Potential New Members to meet sisters and
learn more about Greek Life.  Each chapter holds different events and the
best way to learn about these events is to contact the individual
recruitment chairs.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Scholar,

Thanks for asking about the Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars program, which really is an excellent opportunity that sets Cornell apart from its peers.  Here’s the scoop from Cornell Commitment’s Kristin Ramsay:

“The Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars program recognizes and rewards a select group of undergraduate students who are committed to research, inquiry, and discovery.  The majority of students are selected as incoming freshmen in all seven undergraduate colleges and in many disciplines.  Thr program supports students by providing resources for and promoting sustained engagement in research in close relationship with faculty and other mentors.

“Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars participate in Freshman Colloquium, an extended orientation to doing research as undergraduates at Cornell, where they have opportunities to interact with faculty and learn from upperclass students about research opportunities and balancing research with other commitments and interests.  Aid-eligible students receive up to $4,000 per year to replace student loans.  And all Research Scholars have access to up to $8,000 throughout their undergraduate years to support their research.  This can cover the cost of unpaid summer research experiences (at Cornell or almost anywhere in the world), research supplies, conferences, research travel, and wages.

“Graduating scholars often comment on how many doors RCPRS opens for them-- for jobs, for first-choice graduate schools, for presenting their work at the national and international level at conferences and in journals, to name a few.

“The program is not more widely-known because it supports less than 2% of the Cornell undergraduate population.  There are 200 Research Scholars, 50 per class year.  Rising juniors may apply for positions available due to attrition, but that is usually limited to around 10 each year.  The program issues a call for nominations to all faculty members in the spring; nominated students who are eligible are then invited to apply.”

The Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars program is part of the Cornell Commitment, along with the Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS) and the Cornell Tradition (CT).  MFCNS supports 200 students from all colleges and disciplines who are committed to leadership and academic excellence.  The 500 Cornell Tradition Fellows are committed to work and service, and are perhaps the best-known from the three Cornell Commitment programs because of their size and involvement in campus and community service.  Both MFCNS and CT students have access to up to $3,500 toward internships and leadership or service-related activities, and aid-eligible students receive up to $4,000 per year in loan replacements.”

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Entrepreneur with Relish,

The Day Hall hotdog cart is run by Cornell Dining, which has a pretty firm lock on food service throughout campus — and is not fond of competition. The hot trucks are parked on city streets, which are regulated by the Ithaca Police Department — with tow trucks on speed dial.  Your Uncle hopes you have a Plan B for Making that First Million, because the hotdogs-and-hoagies  biz is  tough around here.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear MB Burner,

If you haven’t done so already, start by going to “My Accounts” at the NUBB site (http://www2.cit.cornell.edu/services/nubb/) and view your latest statement. If you still have questions, talk to a real live person by calling the CIT HelpDesk 255-8990.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Web-Surfer:

RedRover is a Cornell provide network service for the Ithaca and Weill Medical School campuses. We provide off campus service only in Cornell occupied environments, e.g. 312 College Ave.

If you are trying to access Cornell University resources from off campus, I'd recommend using the Cornell VPN service - please see: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/services/vpn/howto/index.cfm for details. it can be used across most commercial Internet ISP services.

Thank you for your interest in RedRover.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Cornell Lover,

The camera/photo policy on slope day is typically regulated by the contractual agreements between Cornell and the musical artist(s).  Most artist contracts call for “No photography or recording devices of any kind may be permitted into the venue.”  In the case of slope day, the “venue” consists of the entire fenced in area.  We are typically able to compromise and negotiate with the artist(s) to allow guests to bring in ‘point-and-shoot’ or ‘non-professional’ cameras since there is so much going on besides the concert.  Unfortunately, people who have been permitted to bring professional cameras to concerts take pictures, and then sell them for a profit.  These types of sales would be in violation of many contracts we sign with artists, and could get us into legal trouble with the artist(s) and/or agencies.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Apartment Cleaner-outer,

Here are a couple downtown Ithaca places to donate non-perishable food. Please call ahead to make sure of the hours and what they need:

American Red Cross Food Pantry, 717 W. Court St. 273-1900.

Loaves and Fishes, 210 N. Cayuga St. 272-5457.

Have a great summer, and try not to buy so many ramen noodle packs in the fall.

Uncle Ezra