Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

DUE, I heard that students who attempt suicide or who Cornell *thinks* are suicidal are kicked out of Cornell. Why is that? Please don't just tell us it's not true; I've heard this happening to two people, and I want to know why.

Specifically, I heard that Gannett and Cornell help students a lot with mental issues *except/until* a suicide attempt occurs; if that happens, they have to leave. I have a friend in this category, and I'm scared she will get kicked out because of it. Home is not a good place for her to go, and if she gets expelled or forced to leave for a semester, home is the only place she can go, and it'll make it worse for her. She has lots of friends at Cornell and we want her here, getting support from both Gannett and us. Where can I find assurances that she won't get kicked out?

Thanks, Your nephew

Dear Concerned Nephew,

First, thank you so much for your concern for your friend. It sounds like although her home is not supportive, you and your friends have provided some of the support that is so important for her during this difficult time.

It is not true that Cornell forces students to leave due to suicidal ideation. There are no policies or procedures at Gannett or Cornell to force students to leave Cornell after a suicide attempt. Most of the students seen at CAPS who have a suicide attempt continue as students in counseling and often psychiatric follow-up. Decisions are guided by what is best for each individual student.

The only policy for an involuntary leave can be found at http://www.dfa.cornell.edu/dfa/treasurer/policyoffice/policies/volumes/student/involuntaryleave.cfm This is only in acted if there is ongoing indication of difficulty and the student can opt to take a voluntary health leave in lieu of this leave. Sometimes students do feel like they “have to” take a leave because their mental health struggles have lead to poor academic performance. These leaves are voluntary and can often help students get away from academic stressors, get help and return to be successful students.

Over 130 students return from a variety of "leaves" from Cornell every year and almost every student states that their time on leave gave them a space to get their personal life in order in a way that was impossible while managing a full courseload. When they returned they were much better able to attain their academic goals and relate to others in much more fulfilling ways.

I hope that your friend finds a solution that works for her. If she finds that a leave is necessary for her to find mental stability she does not have to return home. There are other options that she can explore with her counselor. And thanks again for being there for her.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I am a second semester junior, currently studying abroad. I have been considering graduating a semester early for some time now, and have spoken with all the appropriate advisors and deans, so I know I can complete my degree within a semester. Recently I discovered an internship opportunity here which interests me, but as I am in Arts & Sciences and cannot receive internship credit, I would have to take a semester off to pursue this extra opportunity abroad. This is a workable option as long as I can still receive financial aid when I return to graduate in the spring.

My question is: Will taking a personal leave of absence in the first semester of the academic year affect my eligibility for any financial aid, either Cornell grants and scholarships or federal aid?

(I am asking this question here instead of directly to the financial aid office because I feel it may be of help to other students in the future.)

Best, Temporary Ex-Pat

Dear Far, Far Away,

I hope you are having a wonderful time. I encourage all students who are able to, to take a smester abroad or other "special program."

I would love to give you an answer, but so much depends on your particular situation, which school you are in and which scholarships or grants you are talking about...and so, I refer you to the Financial Aid Office for the correct information.

Your question is here for everyone to see, so that they might also consider a semester abroad or internship.

Uncle Ezra

DUE:

Most mornings when I am in the Libe Cafe I notice a library staff member come into the Cafe and take a NY Times from the student paper box, even though the signs clearly indicate that this is a service for students only.

Even if she is paying someone for this paper, doesn't this sort of behavior encourage other staff members to steal from students?

A puzzled niece.

Dear Puzzled Niece,

Thanks for your observation, which was forwarded to Library Administration—prompting an eleventh commandment to all staff at Olin, Kroch and Uris libraries: Thou shalt not swipe papers subsidized by student fees.

Please let Your Uncle know if this problem persists. And please continue to take advantage of all the newspapers (free and subsidized) available on campus to students. These are provided to you by the Student Assembly, your student governing body, through your Student Activity Fee.

Uncle Ezra

Hi! so i went to this appel food thing to give opinions about food mebbe like a few weeks ago, and i forgot to say something, and was wondering if it could somehow be passed to the dining people? i think north campus upperclassmen should have a choice of getting smaller meal plans- like 750 brbs and 10 meals or whatever. i decided not to get one at all because i couldn't ever finish all those meals (and i know many people who couldn't either), and instead of getting some 750 brbs and 10 meals, i ended up not getting any. but if there HAD been some other options, i def would've! i think for a non-freshman, this should really be considered an option. :) if the suggestion could be passed (doesn't have to be implemented- i don't have the power), that would be great! thanks!!

Dear Uncle Ezra,

When a group has an event, they usually make posters, which can be hung around in dorms and on doors. However, we are not allowed to hang these posters in public buildings like in the libraries or in the other facilities. I was wondering which places are allowed to hang posters without previous permission and which ones are not allowed. Also, if we want to hang something somewhere, would we need to contact a certain department for permission?

Dear Poster Hanger,

To hang posters in any Residence Hall or Community Center, they have to be stamped in the Res Life Office in the basement of Clara Dickson Hall. They will also distribute them for you to all North Campus sites, but you have to have them there two weeks before your event. Check in with the receptionist when you get there.

Most academic buildings are fine for postering, but as you notice, your poster can quickly be covered by another in no time.

To put up posters in the Straight, bring 3 to the front desk and they will stamp them and put them up for you. For permission to post you usually need the sponsoring organization and a contact printed on the poster.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I've been looking all over your site and haven't found help for this so hopefully you can help me by the time of my event this Saturday! I need a microphone rental for a guest speaker at my event on Saturday. In 2009 you wrote that Mann Library has microphones for rent but I called them up and they no longer appear to have them! Do you know of anywhere else on campus where you can borrow a microphone (or rent one at a very low cost)? It can be any type of microphone (handheld, attaches to clothes, earpiece).

Thanks!

Dear Event Planner,

Sorry to miss your Saturday event—DUE answers are posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays—but since rental of audio equipment is a FAQ around here, this advice applies to all DUE readers:

Most Cornell venues have audio visual capabilities, especially if it is a large room. If you check with the people you reserved the room from, they would be able to tell you how you could also request a microphone to go with built-in speakers for that room or maybe the mic would come with portable speakers that you could set up yourself.

The A/V gear and computing equipment on loan in the libraries and computer labs are intended for academic purposes (assigned projects) and are probably not suitable for public events.

That means you’ll want to go off campus (search “audio equipment rental”) to get the right stuff. Some music stores and event-production outfits also rent gear to individuals.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I want to apply to grad school and I am looking forward to working on a professional degree. There is just one thing that I am concerned about. Although my overall GPA is above a 3.0 average, I have received one "D" and a few "C" grades during my time here. I know that graduate admissions officials don't like to see these grades on student's transcripts (especially if the grad program is a top-ranking one). I just wanted to know how much will these grades hurt me when I am applying to different grad programs. Thanks in advance.

Dear Student,

Grad schools are interested in a student's GPA, but also in what experience a student has had. Also, all fields are different, and it may matter which courses you got the C or D in.

Your best bet would be to make an appointment with somene in your school's Career Services Office and have a frank discussion about your interests and dreams. You might be fine as is, or it might be wise to take a few of those courses again to imporve your grade, but only someone in the know would "know."

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Can graduate or professional students join the student union board? Every website I have looked at claims they can, even their own. But a friend told me that they wrote it into their constitution that professional students and graduate students can not serve? If they can't why does their websites say otherwise?

Dear Reader,

David Bell, who is the advisor to SUB reports,

"There is one standing seat on the WSH Student Union Board for a graduate student representative. That is because at times there are Graduate events that do happen in the Straight. Notification of that possible seat was given to GPSA twice in the past, with no one ever filling it.

"We are only now receiving interest because of the decision to close the Ceramic studio. Generally there are more grads and Ithaca community members that take classes at the studio and are active members than undergrads."

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Why does Arts and Sciences have so many requirements? As a biology major, I feel like most of my time is spent trying to fulfill the various requirements the college has me do - especially the language requirement.

I'm not putting down the foreign language departments in any way, but I feel as if the classes are made to suck away all our free time. My Spanish teacher recommendeds we spend 2 hours a day studying Spanish. This is of course, an understatement and it take me 3 hours or more to study and complete the designated homework assignments. In addition, the classes meet EVERY DAY - this isn't high school anymore, why should the class meet every day of the week? I can barely fit my Chemistry and biology classes in my schedule - classes I need for my MAJOR, not some random requirement.

We need 11 credits in a foreign language for arts and sciences - these are the most credits for any one requirement in the college. The alternative is to take a 2000 level course, but unless you've had extensive preparation, be prepared to receive a low grade.

I realize the thought behind exposing Cornell students to different cultures and languages, but is there really a need to load us with so much work?

I am a biology major - getting decent grades in Chemistry, and Biology are important to me - and play a far bigger role in my future than Spanish. What med/dental/vet school will look at my transcript and say "oh, he got a B in Spanish! Who cares about that C he got in chemistry?" As of right now, I spend more time studying for Spanish than either of these two classes, and my grades are showing this.

I'm not against the language requirement, I only feel as if its scope on people not majoring in a language be reduced. Maybe reduce the number of credits required to 6, or 8. Decrease the number of days it meets. I'm not the only one who thinks this - those in my class who are in arts and sciences are feeling the strain of the course, while those who are in CALS... actually I don't even think there's IN CALS in my class. They have no language requirement, and nobody wants to put themselves through the hell that is a language class at Cornell.

-A struggling student

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

Hi Uncle Ezra,

I love how Cornell gets great Musicians. However, tickets have often sold out before I even know an act is coming. Is there someway to subscribe to the Cornell Concert Commission so that I get email updates whenever they get news of a new show coming to Cornell. I can't check their website everyday, thats just not very practical.

Thanks, -CC concert goer

Dear CCCG,

Thanks for the compliment!

The Cornell Concert Commission (CCC) advertises their events using a number of different outlets, including Facebook, ads in the Daily Sun, posters around campus, and tabling/quarter-carding around campus. They do have an email list for members, and are in the process of creating another list for announcements. To join that list, send an email to CCC at , and request to be added to the 'CCC-Events' list to be notified of upcoming events.

Uncle Ezra