Dear Too Late’d,

You’re not — too late, that is, to make plans for a purposeful summer in Ithaca. It can be challenging— but certainly not impossible—to find internships or jobs. I suggest you meet with a Career Services (103 Barnes Hall) counselor— like Bill Alberta—to talk this over and to get some “coaching.” Bill has made a career of  advising students who have an interest in public service, too, and he knows quite a bit about Ithaca. To arrange a time to meet with him, call 5-5296.

Read the Cornell Daily Sun regularly for more ideas.  In today's issue alone: AEM Business Management Course, www.sce.cornell.edu/aem; Summer Jobs at Cornell Conference Services, confserv@cornell.edu; Summer Session 2011 - Summer Programs on or off campus, www.summer.cornell.edu.

Once you’ve lined something up, look ahead to all the fun that comes, at no charge, with summer in Ithaca.  Free concerts on the Arts Quad, music and dancing on The Commons, entertainment of all kinds on the lake. Even some education-lite stuff.  See you around town.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Climber,

Always in awe of those with the energy to scamper up 161 steps — just for the fabulous view and some close-up bell music—Your Uncle asked the Chimesmasters’ Marisa LaFalce to chime in:

“Visitors are welcome to climb the clock tower during any regular concert, this includes the summer months.  However, during the summer, many of the student chimesmasters are away from campus, so the concert schedule is significantly reduced.  Its a bit early for the concert schedule to be posted, but as we approach the warmer months, check the online calendar at chimes.cornell.edu for a list of upcoming concerts. If you're looking to make the climb sooner, the chimesmasters will be playing their regular three concerts daily through the end of classes, and then with some frequency (usually about two/day) during study week, finals, and Senior Week.”

Thanks, Marisa, for that update. And a ringing thank you, Cornell Chimesmasters, for lovely music in the summertime and all year ‘round. Sorry, the elevator is still on back-order.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear “Trailing Spouse,”

Welcome to town. The so-called "trailing-spouse" is how we get some of our most talented, energetic people. 

That’s not to say finding a job (especially one you’ve trained for) will be easy.  The competition is fierce (as it is everywhere lately) but there are lots of resources at your disposal. Let’s check with the Cornell Career Center, and Bill Alberta, who says:

“The large career library here in 103 Barnes would be available to such folks. Also, they would be welcome to attend any of the Cornell Career Services workshops and presentations - http://www.career.cornell.edu/events.html.”

Tompkins County Workforce is another organization that might know of available jobs, http://www.tompkinsworkforceny.org/index.htm.  Our local paper, The Ithaca Journal, has job listings in the classified section.  Also, being new to town, I suggest setting up appointments at places that you might be interested in working, even if they don't have positions open right now.  It will help you get a good feel for the community and also let others know about you and your skills. If you would like a great book on finding the job of your dreams try, What Color is Your Parachute?

Volunteering and community service are very big in Ithaca.  We are indeed a community where caring counts and diversity is appreciated.  As a volunteer you will gain experience, develop new work skills, learn about the field that you are interested in and become known to those who run the businesses.

One final bit of advice: Don’t be afraid to tell potential employers you’re a “trailing spouse.”  That only means you were smart enough to marry a Cornellian—and that’s very smart, indeed. Enjoy your time in Ithaca, and good luck finding a job!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Envious,

No need to be envious – Chef’s Table dinners are one of Cornell Dining’s most popular events, and are open to students, faculty, and staff who want to partake in a six-course meal to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a special dinner night out.  Dinners take place only on Tuesdays during the semester.  The table holds six people and dinner starts promptly at 6:00 pm. 

Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Chef Harold Evans at hew7@cornell.edu.  Chef Harold develops the menu with input from the dinner guests, and he is more than happy to accommodate individuals with special dietary needs.  The meal is paid for with your meal plan card swipe.  If you request a special dinner item, such as prime rib or lobster, we’ll add an additional cost to the price of the dinner. 

You should be aware that reservations fill up very quickly, so quickly that there are no more dinner times available for the spring 2011 semester.  Reservations for the fall semester start when classes begin in August. 

We look forward to serving you,

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Looking Up,

There’s probably a rational explanation for all this — involving search engines, S.E.T.I. (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), and “Search for Tomorrow” (The Lost Episodes).  The big dish at Arecibo Observatory (part of Cornell’s National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center) does tend to warp time, space and the Internet occasionally. 

So with one eye out for space aliens, Your Uncle cautiously consulted an equally iconic Cornell installation (Uris Library) where the Research and Learning Services’ Lance Heidig calmly explained:

 “Cornell’s access to JSTOR journals and articles is provided by the Cornell University Library. The ‘Arecibo’ wording is a mistake that our technical services staff believe they have corrected. Rebecca Utz, an Electronic Resources Assistant in Mann Library, sends along the following information: ‘For a period of time many of our JSTOR titles were branded as the patron describes. Today when we looked up random JSTOR titles, they were correctly branded. If clearing the cache and cookies and then reloading the page doesn’t help, it may be a problem with the specific title this patron is searching. If so, we would need to know what it is so we could address it specifically.’ Journal titles with this branding problem can be sent to Rebecca at rmu3@cornell.edu .”

Well, thank you, Lance.  Muchas gracias, Rebecca, as they say in Arecibo, P.R.  And to you Little Green Men out there— please quit messing with JSTOR.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear 161 Bucket-Lister,

Repercussions only occur if you’ve done something wrong—so let’s check the Official Library List of Stack No-nos: No spilling coffee in the books— check. No annoying ring tones and gabbing loudly on cell phones—okay, if they insist. No greyhound racing except in the Oversize Books section—wow, this place is strict. And finally, the C word— all scratched out and hard to read.  Looks like . . . No copying copyrighted material and making bundles of money selling it without permission of the author.

Not that Your Uncle condones every item on “161 Things Every Cornellian Should Do” (Daily Sun rev. 2009) and some are downright impossible (like number 42: Get out of a University parking ticket.)  Check the very funny YouTube music video “My Big Red Ambition” to see if you’re the first to complete number 1 on the list.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Questioning Parent,

The services at Student Agencies’ Big Red Storage (http://www.bigredboxes.com/) certainly are convenient (pick up, delivery, the promise not to sleep on your futon in between) but you pay dearly for that convenience.  Like $80 to store a table? Better you should donate the table to the Salvation Army Store (take a tax deduction) and buy the thing back (if it hasn’t sold) in the fall! 

On the other hand (cart) you’re dealing with Cornell students at Student Agencies, helping them learn to run a profit-making business (and how to rub liniment on sore backs). 

You can probably find cheaper alternatives (search “Ithaca self-storage”) but the price might include muscle strain as you or your daughter might have to move her things yourself.  Or check in the online yellow pages for moving companies that might provide storage as well.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Struggling,

I hear your discontent and frustration.  Many have complained that the Language courses are extremely demanding.  On one hand, we live in a global community and being able to be proficient in more that one language promotes respect and a better understanding of other cultures.  Yet, at the same time, this large commitment of time and effort can take a toll on your ability to stay in balance.

On Monday, April 4th at 4:45PM, there will be a Language Coffeehouse in 3343 Tatkon Center.  Many of the language professors will be there to field questions.  This might be a good place to mention your concerns and maybe find out how language proficiency and enhance your current studies or career options.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Dragon Envy,

Checking the old calendar on the wall, it seems that 2009 was three Dragons ago.  Which means the Architecture students who designed and sold shirts to promote the 2009 Dragon are juniors by now.  And they still haven’t changed their shirts? Whew!

Checking with the AAP College’s communications director, Aaron Goldweber, he says: “Well... the short answer: they're all gone. Ultimately the shirts are limited editions with the goal of completely selling them out before Dragon Day as a way to raise funds to construct the dragon, buy costumes, etc.”  This year's profit went to help our friends in Japan.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Arts and Sciences,

I encourage you to visit Academic Advising and Student Services in 55 Goldwin Smith the discuss your AP credit situation with an advising dean. The way the questions are framed it is difficult to give you a clear answer and I don't want to make a mistake with something as important as credits that you need to graduate. You should be well ahead with all of those AP credits.  Some people do choose to retake the courses that they got AP credit in, but it isn't necessary.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Wheel-less Niece,

Your concern is understandable. Police consider a bolt cutter to be a burglar’s tool — when used in the commission of a theft.  Probably you should start your life of crime with a visit to the Cornell Police (G-2 Barton, 255-1111) and tell them your plan.  (They might even lend a bolt cutter, which would save renting one.)  Oh, you didn’t mention whether your bike is officially registered, as is required on campus and free by the way.  That complicates things a bit.  You could quickly register the bike (call Transportation at 255-PARK) then deal with the police.  Yeah, that’s probably best.  Honesty, humility (and a Cornell ID) still count for something around here.   

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Confused,

Now your have Your Uncle confused, too, so let’s check with the Financial Aid Office (203 Day Hall, 255-5145) where they say:

“Please let ‘Confused about taxes’ know, that he or she will want to contact a tax preparation office for assistance with his or her tax filing requirements.”

Less confused (or even dazed) Your Uncle now suggests you inquire at one of the name-brand tax-prep services (H &R Block, Jackson Hewitt, etc.) in this college town, where they have plenty experience with students’ taxes—and the requirements for residents of various states and countries.

It shouldn’t cost you anything to get a simple question answered (on the phone or drop by a tax-prep place at the Mall while waiting for the movie to start).  However, when you agree to have them do your taxes (you’ll have to make an appointment this time of year) that’s when the charges will start. With any luck, your scholarship/stipend isn’t taxable “income,” and you can splurge on popcorn.

Uncle Ezra