Dear concerned Niece,

Cornell is very forthcoming with information, as evidenced by the university's handling of student deaths last year and this year. We believe transparency in communication is important in order to keep our community informed about events on campus and as a component of the healing process.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Trying,

It is not unusual for someone to have feelings for someone who meant so much.  The feelings that you are experiencing are grief at the loss of someone who was very important to you and someone who you had assumed would be in your life for much longer.  You were right to move on, as he was very clear with you that he was not interested in continuing a relationship.  Transitioning from relationship to relationship until you find one that is really fulfilling for both people, is a natural part of growing, developing and emerging into a centered person.

But moving on is not always easy and clearly takes time and processing. You know what you are missing, but not necessarily what opportunities exist for the future.  It sounds like your fiance is understanding and loving and wants the best for you and for this new relationship with him.  I also hear that it is hard for you to be happy while you are not able to fully connect with your fiance due to unresolved feelings for your ex. It is time to relieve yourself of the blocks to engaging with a partner again.

Now is the time to get some help sorting this all out.  There are a number of options open to you.  EARS provides free, confidential counseling.  No appointment necessary, just stop by 211 Willard Straight Hall from 3 - 11PM or call them at 255-EARS for a phone consultation.

You might also try Counseling and Psychological Services at Gannett, 255-5208.  If you choose to wait and will find yourself at home for summer break, you might try a private counselor in your hometown.

You deserve to be happy and find comfort and satisfaction in relationships.  Please find someone to help you rediscover your significance and specialness.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Recycler,

I will post the info for all to see.  I am always in support of Reuse, Reduce and Recycling!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Searching to Connect,

The University’s central Events Calendar http://events.cornell.edu/ is always worth checking— for university-wide events of general interest, and some small-audience ones you might be surprised to find yourself enjoying— but announcements from some of the 800 student organizations don’t always appear on the “official” calendar.

Sidewalk chalkings can be hard to scan this time of year (but grow more useful as the weather improves) and quarter-sheet fliers at lunchtime in Ho Plaza are catch-as-catch-can (albeit good insulation in your coat pockets).

Of course you have also heard of Denice Cassaro and her wonderful e-list.  She sends out weekly reminders of the many things to do on campus.  Ask her to add you to the list, dac11.

The Student Activities Office Web calendar is a little outdated (apologies: too few people, too much to do) but that office does send out a calendar of student-organization notices — for all the registered student organizations.  To get on that list, send a request to rme4@cornell.edu. To find a list of all clubs and organizations look here, http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/browse?action=search&termID=8&l=All.

If you already know what you’re interested in, some of the publicity-minded student organizations make announcements via their web sites and Facebook. And some of them simply post recipes (like the Cornell Gourmet Club’s golden-gooey “Papa’s Mac and Cheese”) which could be an event in itself.  There’s not much to announce at the Cornell Chapter, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, and that’s oddly reassuring.

And last, but not least Cornell Minds Matter has begun holding a number of social events for people to meet each other and explore different activities and adventures.  To get on their email list, see their website, http://mindsmatter.dos.cornell.edu/application.html.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Applicant,

I have no idea what your chances are, but I do know that many students take crooked paths to get where they are going and for some there are bumps along the way.  Those bumps can either cause a student to crumble and fail or to wake up, and resolve the issues that led to the difficulties.  Often those students who suffered difficulties in the past excel when they set themselves on a healthy path.  Admissions officers know this.  Addressing what you learned during the time of your Withdrawals can help the admissions folks understand more of what went on during that time and how you resolved things satisfactorily. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Loyal MS ‘10,

Your Uncle misses you already and looks forward to your return.  So much has changed since May 2010, but one thing hasn’t: there is no alumni ID card needed to get into most of your old hangouts.  (If you kept your  Cornell NetID, you always have digital access wherever you roam.)  When you get to campus, stop by Alumni House (north end of the Thurston Ave bridge) to see what’s happening on campus 24/7. And if you visit on special weekends (Reunion, Homecoming) or during Summer Session, there’s even more.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Reader,

The Student Assembly is the organization that brings you the daily paper for free.  contact them with your request.  They work hard to be the voice of students.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Anxious Senior,

In the past, Bill Nye the Science Guy’s on-campus appearances have been under the auspices of the A.D. White Visiting Professor program (where he had a multi-year appointment), the Astronomy Department (working with Mars NASA projects), and Mech and Aero Engineering (from which he graduated).  Regrettably, no one in those units knows of plans to get The Guy back to campus— but he clearly has a lot of fans.

Dare Your Uncle suggest a student-based “Bring Back Bill Nye” campaign? Maybe via Facebook or somehow?  Let Bill Nye know how much you (and zillions of others) miss him.  Time is short and this might not happen before 2011 graduation.  But “Bring Back Bill” could be your personal Senior Gift to Cornell. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear CardioKid,

Your question (seemingly texted to DUE while waiting to get on a machine) was referred to the Cornell Fitness Centers’ Suzanne Connolly.  She sent Your Uncle a detailed, thoughtful and comprehensive response (below), which you might want to put on the magazine rack of your favorite machine—because it will take 10 minutes to peruse.  Suzanne says:

“Thanks, CardioKid, for taking the time to write and give us your feedback. The current cardio sign-up system has been designed to try to ensure all members fair access to the more popular pieces of cardio equipment (AMT’s, Ellipticals and treadmills); currently bikes and rowers do not require a sign-up. A 30-minute cardio limit, in which members are required to sign-up for, helps minimize confusion and maximize equipment usage. When dealing with the volume of member visits that we do at Cornell Fitness Centers, we have found that unless there is a sign-up system is in place, most people will likely stay on longer than 30 minutes. With the addition of personal view screens on each of the pieces of cardio equipment, the necessity for a time limit and sign-up system has become indispensable.

“The existing system allows for a more organized approach and theoretically, a member will have to wait no more than 30 minutes for a piece of cardio. The 10-minute increments are both a function of the sheets themselves (5-minute increments would require either additional sheets or larger pieces of paper, which is neither practical nor fiscally prudent). We have also found, for the most part, that 10-minute increments tend to facilitate most people’s workouts, although we recognize that this may not be satisfactory for all.  The cardio policy explicitly states that ‘members are subject to losing a reserved machine after 5 minutes of tardiness.  The machine will be lost if another member asks the staff for the use of the machine after this time.’  We found that the 5-minute rule actually helps to alleviate downtime, so that members are not hanging around for extended periods to use a machine that it clearly not occupied. It also allows members who have signed up for cardio a certain amount of flexibility; members can for example, get off and hydrate or use these pieces of cardio equipment as part of a circuit without losing their ‘rights’ to said equipment. Please don’t hesitate to ask out staff for assistance when using the cardio sign-ups sheets in future, as they would be happy to help.”

Thanks, Suzanne for that.  Catching his breath, Your Uncle will use his own time to relay the entire cardio policy, below.

 •   When reserving a machine, you are reserving the machine with that number.

•   Members may reserve a machine up to one half hour in advance, even if creating gaps in the schedule.

•   NO GAP RULE: Members can reserve a machine more than 30 minutes in advance if they do so without creating gaps.

•   Members may be signed up for at most 30 minutes of future training on any type of machine, at any time.

•   Members are subject to losing a reserved machine after 5 minutes of tardiness.  The machine will be lost if another member asks the staff for the use of the machine after this time. 

•   Members must sign themselves up in person.

•   THE CFC WALL CLOCK IS THE FINAL WORD ON THE TIME AND WHO HAS THE RIGHTS TO THE MACHINE.

•   ONLY MONITORS may make changes to the sheets.

•   30-minute time limit applies for all cardio equipment.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear REader,

Thanks for the facts and the other side of the story.

Uncle Ezra