Dear Friend,

Rather than bursting her bubble, you might want to pay attention to what she is saying and choose the cause that most speaks to you and join her.  Ever hear about the Butterfly Effect.

The term butterfly effect was applied in Chaos Theory to suggest that the wing movements of a butterfly might have significant repercussions on wind strength and movements throughout the weather systems of the world, and theoretically, could cause tornadoes halfway around the world.

So here she is flapping her wings and you are not picking up her drift to carry the energy on.  Here are some other examples of one person who made a change.

An article about how "one person" can make a difference in environmental changes, http://environment.about.com/od/environmentalevents/a/earth_day_commit.htm.

And how about his effort by an ex prostitute, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSnhf8ESp6A.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Ghandi

And on that note, be sure to tell your friend about this upcoming event at Cornell that will focus on many others who changed the world:

“Daring to Be Ourselves” with Marianne Schnall ‘89
Wednesday, March 30th
5:00pm
Kaufman Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall

Marianne Schnall '89, a freelance journalist, Cornell alumna, and author of "Daring to Be Ourselves" has interviewed many of world's most renowned and influential women, including Maya Angelou, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, Cameron Diaz, Melissa Etheridge, Alice Walker, Eve Ensler, Isabel Allende, Elizabeth Lesser, Jane Goodall, and many others.

Her book "Daring to Be Ourselves" is a compilation of all the empowering quotes, insights, and words of wisdom from actresses, activists, poets, recording artists, Nobel laureates, and much more!  Marianne will share anecdotes and inspirational quotes from the accomplished women she has interviewed, and discuss how feminism, activism and finding your own voice can create change in the world.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Alum,

It must be Spring — if people are  basking in the sun outside Goldwin Smith, squinting at the back of the A.D. White statue, and trying to read the eroded inscription: “This statue is given to Cornell University by Henry Rubens Ickelheimer of the Class of 1888 and member of the Board of Trustees 1915.”

Travel with Your Uncle back to an even sunnier June 16, 1915, when the statue (by Karl Theodore Francis Bitter, who didn’t leave room for his name) was ready to be unveiled. 

Commencement exercises had been earlier that morning, and now a smaller crowd heads over to the spanking new statue (Your Uncle didn’t get his until some years later) where President Schurman is presiding over the noontime ceremony.  The Glee Club sings. Speeches are delivered (Professor George L. Burr on “The Scholastic Career of President White” and Colonel Henry W. Sackett on “The Public Career of President White”).  President White starts to doze off.  Professor T.F. Crane presents the statue to the University, on behalf of the donor (Mr. Ickelheimer was a New York investment banker, a reasonably good way, even then, to get enough money to endow statues). A.D. is snoring now. Everyone sings the “Alma Mater.” President White awakes for a moment (the guy is 82 and it’s hot—so give him a break, will ya?) and that night he writes in his diary, about the ceremony: “Whole thing rather trying but all seemed to pass well.”

All this is documented truth—except the part about A.D. dozing off.  Made that up.  (Can you tell Your Uncle is still in a snit about not getting the first statue?)

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Wondering,

What makes the Cornell University police “legal” is that our specific powers are derived from New York State Law – as promulgated in statutes by the legislature and as construed by the courts. New York State Education Law §5708 and §5709 authorizes the University to hire special deputy sheriffs who have the powers of peace officers as set forth in §2.10(42) and §2.20 of the New York State Criminal Procedure Law. Such special deputy sheriffs are employees of the University and subject to the university’s supervision and control.

As peace officers in the State of New York, all of the arrest powers of the Cornell Police are derived from the Criminal Procedure Law just as they are for a municipal or “state sanctioned” police agency. Likewise, all of the same rules for a criminal prosecution are the same.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Course Looker,

Wouldn’t it be great if all you had to do was call or e-mail the professor and ask?

Oh . . . yeah . . . it is that simple, according to Marisa LaFalce in the Registrar’s Office, who says:

“If a student is interested in taking a course that requires the instructor's consent, the student should contact the professor via email or phone and ask if they can take the course and how they should enroll.  In some cases the professor will give them a permission number to use during pre-enrollment (online) and in other cases they will have to do a paper add/drop form.”

If you have trouble reaching the prof, just go to their office hours and meet them face to face.

Uncle Ezra   

 Dear Wannabe,

Some needy guys used to sing: “You can't always get what you want . . .but if you try sometimes. . .you might find . . . you get what you need.”

Of course the Rolling Stones weren’t advising about coursework. So let’s head over to the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, where the Undergraduate Advising Coordinator, Dale Grossman, says::

“There are no exceptions to the CALS-only rule.  The only option for a non-CALS student is to do the AEM coursework that interests him/her — and note the cluster of courses on the resume and in interviews.   Unfortunately there is no guarantee that one can enroll in the core upper-level AEM courses because some of them tend to close quickly and/or be limited to AEM students only.  This is an unfortunate consequence of limited financial resources.”

Another option that might be perfect for you is the Summer AEM Business Mangagement Certificate that is open to students in all majors. Earn 9 credits in 7 1/2 weeks!  Check out their website, www.sce.cornell.edu/aem.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Future Co-op member,

Julie Paige sends the following information:

"Currently there is a student task group that is working with Joe Burke, Director of Residential Programs and me to set up guidelines for starting new co-ops. The group is meeting beginning this Friday. For next year, no co-ops will be added but we are hoping the co-op system can be expanded. There are various ways that the University can obtain houses including purchasing."

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Manndible Lover,

Yes, of course, one of my favorite places for lunch!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Business Minded,

You can find out all you need to know at the Johnson School website, http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Academic-Programs.aspx.

Another great way to get academic experience in the area of business is the Cornell Summer AEM Business Management Certificate Program, www.sce.cornell.edu/aem.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Hoping,

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 16, 2011.  That’s the date set by the Cornell Hindu Student Council for the joyous spring celebration (harmony, fertility, other good things), in the north part of the Arts Quad.  The web site http://rso.cornell.edu/HSC/ encourages you to “celebrate this colorful festival with friends, food, and colored powder. Details TBA. ”

Those details probably won’t include the traditional Holi bonfire — at least not on the Arts Quad, where the Dragon can’t be burned anymore, either.  But the food, friendship, games and colored powder throwing should be fun.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Eager,

Oh you Cornell students — always sending Your Uncle to the dictionary to learn new terms (and what the high-ceilinged gym in Bartels Hall has to do with the sphincter muscle).  A highly educational video on YouTube, “Riding the Sphincterator,” makes the experience of “sphincterating” sound absolutely delightful —so let’s check with Todd Miner in Cornell Outdoor Education, who says:

“Yes, students can participate on the ‘Sphincterator’ (aka giant’s swing) a number of ways through Cornell Outdoor Education.  They can sign up for a High Adventure PE class, which will likely do the activity either at the Hoffman Challenge Course (HCC) or indoors at Bartels Hall.  They can sign up for “Stress Busters,” when we commonly do the Bartels Hall one.  They can do the King Swing (the version at HCC) by signing up for the COE Slope Day alternative, or for Senior Week activities, or by bringing a group out to HCC.   More info at www.coe.cornell.edu. ”

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Frustrated Student,

Wouldn’t it be great if all professors announced, at the start of the semester, how they plan to conduct the class?  Little things like exam prep sessions, schedule conflicts, and actually getting those exams back in a timely manner so you can learn what more you have to learn before the finals?

As for “policy,” the Faculty Handbook (which was written by other faculty, mind you) says this about that:

“Although there is no federal or state legislation that pertains to the manner in which graded work is to be returned to students, the returning of such materials should be handled in such a manner as will preserve the student’s privacy. Students have a right to examine their corrected exams, papers, and the like, in order to be able to question their grading. They do not, however, have an absolute right to the return thereof. Exams, papers, etc., as well as grading records, should be retained for a reasonable time after the end of the semester, preferably until the end of the following term, to afford students such right of review.”

So what are you going to do?  Shove the Faculty Handbook under the professor’s nose, and demand your rights—before you get your final grade?  You’ve already asked nicely, right?  And discussed your concerns with other students? 

Your time will come—to write your (anonymous) evaluation of that exam-hoarding professor. Don’t let those tasty snacks that magically appear at evaluation time affect your judgment.  Write what you believe (in your most anonymous handwriting) and leave your evaluation somewhere in the middle of the stack.  Then fill your pocket with tasty snacks.   

Another option, if you have already mentioned to your prof the importance of getting you exam back in a timely manner with no result, is to speak to the head of the department or dean to let them know that late return of exams is detrimental academically.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear In-the-know,

I guess I dated myself there.  Thanks for the update!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Hungry Meal Plan Subscriber,

According to the meal plan information provided by Cornell Dining, the Bear Basic meal plan does indeed include seven meals per week in the all you care to eat dining rooms on campus. The meal plan standard week begins on Thursday and ends on Wednesday. Meal plan balances are reset each Thursday. Short weeks are prorated.

If you believe that there has been a error, the best thing to do is contact the Housing and Dining Contracts Office. Karen will be happy to review your account with you and provide you with a correction if necessary. We want to make sure you're getting good, healthy, regular meals.  Contact Karen at dining@cornell.edu.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Jimmy,

Thanks for your thoughts.

Uncle Ezra