Dear Niece,

We all enjoy and need appreciation.  Although this was a humongous task for the groundskeepers and they still got a number of complaints.  It is great to hear those words of appreciation for the very long hours and arduous work they completed to make the streets and paths accessible for all of us.

To all those who have criticized them, I wonder if you would like to trade places with them and spend 12 hours or more in the cold and blustery weather in the middle of the night. 

Keep up those kind words, they are contagious!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Graduate School Explorer,

Glad that you are working to bring up your GPA.  It does count, but so do other experiences that you have.  There are many in impressive positions who never graduated from college at all and have made it due to their knowledge, expertise and skills.

Remember that there are many factors involved, including what field you choose to pursue.  Focus on activities and skill building that will be beneficial for your field as well as developing relationships with those who can provide good references.

About a third of Cornell seniors pursue further education immediately after graduation, while many wait a year or more before applying.  Delaying graduate school attendance allows you to gain professional experiences and become certain of your interest in a career field.  This may make up for a lower GPA.

Deciding to attend graduate school is a big commitment.  Talk with advisers in Cornall Career Services in 103 Barnes Hall as well as faculty and graduate student for their advice and perspective as you go through the process.  The Cornell Career Guide will also help you prepare and make decisions along the way, http://publications.ingagepublication.com/CORNELLCAREERSERVICES2010/.

Good luck.  And remember there are many paths to reach your goal and sometimes the winding one produces the most reward along the way.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Walker,

They have no connection to any Cornell office or program.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Flag Capturer,

Student-run events on the Ag Quad, the Arts Quad or any other University-owned property must go through the Use of University Property Procedures (the all-important UUPPs) and the place to start the ball rolling (the flag fleeing, whatever other game) is University Scheduling at univ_scheduling@cornell.edu or 255-9090

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Desperate,

Sorry about all the Taylor Swift lately.  Your Uncle is her biggest fan.

Just kidding (that’s kind of creepy) but if you want a reality check, the  Chimesmasters’ recent playlist is posted here: http://chimes.cornell.edu/recentsongs.php.

To request a single song, e-mail chimes@cornell.edu.  Cornell Chimesmasters  also play special concerts of all your personal favorites, for a fee (something to think about if you’re getting married on campus) and they do accept donations at http://chimes.cornell.edu/giving.html. Give enough and you can fund an entire Year Without T-Swift. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Suffocating,

You have a right to breathe clean air. Since it was probably the professor or TA who set the seating arrangement, your best bet is to go to them to resolve your issue.  Send them an email or go to office hours to explain the difficulty that you are having.  Mention that it is difficult for you to breathe and that you need to have your seat changed.  If the professor refuses to grant your request, please follow up with the University Ombudsman or the head of the department.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Sore Runner,

Limp over to RPCC, where you’ll find an ice machine by the vending machines, just around the corner from the  information desk.

On central campus, some science-related buildings have ice for laboratory purposes. The Goldwin Smith machine (ground floor near the janitor’s closet) has been padlocked lately. (What are they saving it for? Who do you have to be to get the key for the executive ice machine?) There’s always the pile of Zamboni shavings outside Lynah Rink—but Your Uncle is a little concerned you’re overdoing this running thing.  Take it easy out there.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Buying Abroad,

This University’s Extension-Land Grant mission must extend to wherever you’ve landed— because Charlotte Coffman (in Hum Ec’s Fiber Science department) is happy to answer your burning question.

She says that igniting a fabric sample really is the easiest way to detect polyester  (other tests require a microscope or yucky solvents) and Fiber Scientist Coffman suggests a diplomatic way to  do the test: 

Do not start fires in the shops of your host city.  This tends to bring disgrace on the Cornell Abroad program.  If this really is a custom-made shirt shop, they will have  bolts of various kinds of cloth for your examination.  Chose one or more that are to your liking.  Ask for small samples (practice with your language phrase book ahead of time) and take  the sample home (or at least outdoors) before burning. Details on the burn test are here http://www.fabriclink.com/university/burntest.cfm and here

http://www.fabrics.net/fabricsr.asp. 

Polyester threads will form plastic-like beads when burned, and will produce a distinctive  burnt-plastic smell.  Cotton and other plant-based fibers (linen, rame, rayon) will also burn (sometimes faster than polyester) but they will smell like burning grass (no, not that kind!) and will not form little beads.

Please try not to burn yourself (or the neighborhood) and do continue to enjoy the Cornell Abroad experience.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Urgent,

The Richard Polevoy Reading Room  (a.k.a. 237 Ives Hall) is a group study space  (wireless and projector-equipped) just past the reference desk in the Catherwood Library.  Hope this gets to you in time for your meeting in the little-known but much-rumored (ILR librarians didn’t know, at first) Polevoy Reading Room.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Senior,

Congratulations on your job opportunity.  Your Uncle is so proud! And double congrats on making it this far in life without being fingerprinted by the police.

Indeed, the Cornell Police in G-2 Barton Hall can do the job.  You will need two forms of photo I.D. and a standard fingerprint card, which should be available from your employer. 

Here’s the cool part— you can have your fingerprints made 24/7 (even at three in the morning) just by showing up at G-2 Barton. The process takes about 10 minutes, at no charge. And if you find yourself there between 8 a.m and 4:40 pm weekdays, check the Central Lost-and-Found for things you wish you’d hadn’t misplaced.  (If there’s something you like— but can’t prove it’s yours — wait for the annual unclaimed lost-and-found auction, and make a bid.  It’s a great way to get a serviceable bicycle, among other things.

Uncle Ezra