Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Thursday, April 14, 2011

Dear Graduating,

Checking with Cindy Marinaro in Athletics, she says:

“It is harder to find the Bear at spring sports events; however, the Bear does find his way around on campus. Right now (this week) the Bear is at RPCC doing Welcome Sessions for Cornell Days, on April 14th he will be outside the CS exam in Olin 155 handing out candy with Cornell Minds Matter, and this Saturday (April 16th) the Bear will be at the women's lacrosse game.”

Thanks, Cindy, for that. And thanks to your department for replacing real live bears (beginning in 1915, a series of four) with costumed Cornell students. The story of the mascot bruins is told in the little book "Touchdown: The Story of the Cornell Bear," by John H. Foote '74 (available in the Cornell Store, with proceeds going to the Far Above capital campaign). It’s a tale of devoted fans, rollicking road trips, kidnappings and even bear arrests, according to the author. Maybe today’s Touchdown will sign your copy while posing for a photo.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Are you allowed to disclose any of the process of answering DUE questions? My main questions are:

1. How many questions do you generally get per week/unit of time between updates?

2. How do you decide which questions get answered each week and which don't? Is it first come, first serve, chosen by interest, a mix of long/short and easy/hard questions, a combination of those, or something else?

3. Do you ever reject questions entirely, or are questions just pushed back to a later date?

4. If you reject questions, what criteria do you use to decide which questions make it and which don't?

Sincerely, Curious Nephew

Dear Curious Nephew,

Dear Uncle Ezra receives over 100 questions each week and 20 - 30 are answered on the site. Some are answered directly to the questioner when the person provides an email address.

I try to answer every reasonable question considering all of the things you mention. I am especially interested in answering questions that might be of interest to the greatest number of people and questions that deal with increasing student well-being and decreasing stress. Resource dissemination and student empowerment are goals of Dear Uncle Ezra.

The biggest problem I face is that some of the more relevant questions are the hardest to answer and those take time and usually involve waiting for those who have the information to get back to me, if they ever do get back to me.

Dear Uncle Ezra will reject questions that were answered in the past few months, so as not to be redundant. We encourage people to look through the archives to find their answers. Answers to admissions questions are also rejected because if we started answering them we would open the floodgates to 1000's of questions from people worrying about whether they will be admitted to Cornell.

If you asked an important question that didn't get answered, please send it again as some do get lost in the shuffle.

Uncle Ezra

Hey Uncle Ezra,

First, thanks for answers and advice you've provided in the past! You're excellent.

Second, my question: Is there a law somewhere that mandates that frat boys must blare their stereos as soon as the weather gets warm? I have wonderful housing that unfortunately happens to be located right across the street from a frat that does this on most nice days. It makes it very difficult to concentrate & study (or be in a mood to study). What is the city's noise policy, and is there a way to file a noise complaint (other than going down to the police station) easily with IPD?

I realize there are also other ways-buying earplugs and talking to them, but after living here for two years and having occasionally mentioned to them that not everybody on the block necessarily wants to hear their favorite song, the behavior hasn't changed. I also don't feel that I should need to wear earplugs in my own home. The music doesn't need to be quite as loud as they like it for them to still be able to hear it, so I'm a little tired of this problem. Not to mention, if you want to hang out and talk with your friends, doesn't loud music make that more difficult?!

Thanks in advance for anything you can dig up for me, uncle!

Warm hugs, A niece

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Since the libraries on campus always have new (or farely new) laptops, what happens to all the outdated ones? Do they just get thrown away or do they end up getting used for parts? Or are they used for something else? Essentially, just where to they go?

Dear Laptop Tapper,

Those fairly new computers in the libraries get outdated and tired pretty regularly—with all the tasks thrown their way by brainy Cornell students.

Checking with Cornell Library Admin, it seems that “old Library computers are either re-used for good causes through volunteer refurbishment programs (such as the Cornell Computer Reuse Association, a student organization); or they are recycled in a safe, clean, legally-accountable manner through a service the Cornell Grounds Department provides.”

So old Library computers are not up for adoption (at least not directly) by their favorite students. However, one likely place to look for a pre-owned computer at a reasonable price is the eCenter at Finger Lakes ReUse http://fingerlakesreuse.org/ecenter.shtml which is located off campus in Triphammer Mall. And if you’re handy at fixing old computers —and helping them find deserving new owners—the eCenter and the Cornell Computer Reuse Association welcome student volunteers.

Uncle Ezra

Hi Uncle Ezra,

I was wondering whether it would be possible for a student to get an email address in form of firstname.lastname@cornell.edu? It essentially would be an email address that just forwards directly to a student's original Cmail account, which is associated with his or her NetID. I know faculty and staff can request such an email address, but does that also apply to students?

Thank you, John

Dear John.lastname@cornell.edu,

It’s a problem of “fuzzy matching” according to the CIT HelpDesk supervisor, Jeremy, who says:

“Email addresses in the form of firstname.lastname@cornell.edu that forward to a Cornell community NetID e-mail address are only available to Cornell faculty, staff, and trustees. Students, temporary employees, alumni, and staff at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City are not eligible.

“All members of the Cornell community used to be able to use something called "Fuzzy Matching" where one could e-mail people at their "@cornell.edu" address using some form of their real name (for example "ezra.erwin @cornell.edu" instead of "ewe1 @cornell.edu"). As long as no one else at Cornell had the same name, your message would be delivered to the right person.

“Since this "fuzzy matching" only worked well for people who had a unique name, and it broke as soon as a name was no longer unique, CIT developed a better way to manage e-mail aliases - the COEA system that now restricts who has access to firstname.lastname@cornell.edu addresses.

“One of the main driving factors behind this restriction is that each alias can only be used once, ever. Since an alias can only ever be assigned to one NetID (we want to make sure that we send mail to the right person forever!), and given how many students come through Cornell ever year, giving the thousands of them access to COEAs would mean we'd run out of them very fast.

“Imagine what it would be like for a student that has a very common name. Just search the Cornell Directory for John Smith - there are at least 30 alumni who might have wanted the COEA john.smith@cornell.edu. We'd quickly run out of the possible combinations.

“Given all of this, CIT decided it was better to keep COEAs open to those members of the community likely to be staying at Cornell for longer than just a few years. For practical reasons, it just makes more sense.

“Hope that helps. For further information, give the HelpDesk a call at 607-255-8990, or send us an e-mail at helpdesk@cornell.edu. We're always here to help!”

Uncle Ezra

Uncle Ezra,

Is it possible for an atheist to be married in Sage Chapel? And if so, are you allowed to choose your own minister?

-Heathen on the hill

Dear Uncle Ezra,

I have spent the past couple of days planning out my schedule for the remainder of my undergraduate career, and have a question about the CALS graduation requirements.

I am hoping to complete the Global Health minor, and was sorting through the options for the elective courses. I found courses that contribute towards both the Global Health minor and also count towards Social Sciences, Diversity, and Humanities distribution requirements.

My question is, can I take a course that both contributes towards my minor AND satisfies my diversity requirement? As in, it would act as a "double whammy" towards my graduation requirements?

Thanks!

To my very favorite Uncle:

I am done with my language requirement but for the sake of others I want to tell you my thoughts. I,like the writer of q9 on April 12,am unhappy about the extent of this requirement. This is yet another Cornell policy that broadens the gap between those who have and those who have not,i.e., those who enter Cornell with private high school educations and those who went to under-funded public schools.It is hard enough to have to compete with people who entered Cornell with 18 AP credits and who never have to take the huge scaled intro classes or more than 12 or 14 credits a semester.These students do not need even more advantages. In plain language, the current requirement just isn't fair.

I think everyone should have the same requirements and that should be one yearlong 8 credit series. Even if you place out of calculus or statistics you still have to take math. Same goes for science. Why is language different? Why do students who are lucky enough to have great high school educations get to take only one 4 credit language class while everyone else in CAS has to take 11 credits? Not that I think language is a punishment, I actually enjoyed my classes. I just think the current requirement is way too much. The eleven credit three consecutive semesters limits other opportunities including, ironically, study abroad. It also makes it very difficult to take a needed leave of absence.

Another thing to consider is that a new policy might help with the university's budget.

Thank you for listening. Your niece, MusicisaLanguageToo

Dear Uncle Erza,

This may be a little long, but for several weeks, these thoughts have been churning inside my head, and I need a proper outlet to express my feeling, perhaps anonymously, before I talk to an administrator, or student assembly to voice my opinion.

Upon reflecting on the recent tragedy I SAE, I can only offer my deepest condolences. A few of my friends, however, have expressed apparent disgust at the way the university is handling the situation. Not so much with the death, but with the repercussions to the fraternity in mind.

As Black History Month drew to a close, I was made aware of black culture - a culture I had little exposure to. Naturally, I soaked in the vast amount of cultural, historical information presented, as any inquisitive Cornell student would do. I enjoyed it immensely - I felt like I had expanded my world view. However with it, I discovered a few facts that… disturbed me slightly. Apparently there are Black (but not exclusively) fraternities on campus. Or rather, used to exist on campus. Apparently, as I learned, there was an infamous incident a few years back that led to Alpha Phi Alpha - a national black fraternity- to be kicked off campus, their charter revoked, and their house sold. And today they exist as a former shadow of what they once were, besides the random RPCC dance parties every so often. In my writing seminar, I learned that Alpha Phi Alpha was in fact the first African American fraternity in the United States, and was actually founded here at Cornell! Such historical significance amazed me. In fact - Martian Luther King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha (albeit, at Boston University). The details regarding the nature of the incident was hazy. I cannot find anyone, student or professor otherwise, who will tell me the details of what really happened. It feels as if Cornell is hiding something - what exactly, I'm not sure. From what I gather, it was a hazing incident that sent a pledge to the hospital where they had to undergo surgery. But this is the extent to which I know of the incident. As I ponder what little information I have, I cannot help wonder - how many fraternities (which are mostly white) have sent pledges to the hospital? Permanently disfigured a pledge? Or perhaps, killed a pledge? The answer? Many have. Yet several of the fraternities continue to exist on campus, with little or no repercussion. Yes, they may get a slap on the wrist, get kicked off campus for a few years to cool down, but many eventually re-establish themselves on campus, even in their same house. What kind of horrible incident, what gross violation of university law, did Alpha Phi Alpha commit, lead Cornell to literally excommunicate them from campus? Apparently, based on evidence from other fraternities, it would take more than killing a pledge or two for a fraternity's charter to be completely revoked. Did they commit a genocide of some sort? What exactly happened?

The fact that such a secret is buried disturbs me slightly. I wouldn't even be thinking about this if not for Black History Month. Well actually, that and the epic saga regarding recent changes to the Africana Center (which has been running in the Daily Sun for weeks). Not that I don't agree with them - but from what I gather, the University basically shoved the decision down Africana's throat - which is probably why they're pissed. Any department would be I suppose.

The recent incident regarding SAE - I offer my deepest condolences for the death of George Desdunes. I knew him, although indirectly through a friend, and his death has put a damper on my mood and thought. He was a brother of the house, and let's not kid ourselves here: alcohol was involved, and perhaps a fair bit of negligence. SAE is of course getting kicked off campus. However it angers me to note past cases that have set a precedence in this area. SAE will most likely return to campus is a few years, feinting change and remorse. While, it should be noted that many fraternities (incidentally, all black) have been kicked off campus forever, ending the sociopolitical revolution that created them. It's a feeling not so far away from Cornell holding a knife to their necks.

If I were a student of color on campus, I would feel an intense sensation of foreboding. Foreboding about what - I have no idea, but that is the general feeling I get when I speak with my friends of color. I am worried about the direction Cornell is headed in. After all, isn't our motto "Any student, Any Study?" We should create an atmosphere that facilitates both learning, and cultural understanding. My recent discovery of black fraternities, of which I had no idea existed, the Africana saga, and the death of George Desdunes, whose fraternity will most likely suffer no significant long term consequences.

Is it because of the money? The donations? Perhaps maybe - although I hesitate to say this - a combination of racism and discrimination? I feel as if SAE should suffer some sort of long term consequence for their negligence that resulted in Gorges death. Our Greek System, must be tamed, starting with SAE, and all frats that disobey the rules after. I believe fraternities and sororities remain an integral part of campus - however treating some different than others (ie. black fraternities) defeats the purpose of fostering an integrated campus. I believe Cornell is a great school - a school that cannot be hindered by such petty troubles if we truly want to move into the 21st century.

Dear Reader,

Cornell University is the home to a historic, large, and robust fraternity and sorority community. Three councils compose our fraternity/sorority community. The Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the Multicultural Greek Letter Council. The Multicultural Greek Letter Council at Cornell is home to fraternities and sororities that belong to three different national umbrella organizations: Asian-Interest fraternities and sororities, Latino/Latino fraternities and sororities, and historically Black fraternities and sororities. Cornell does have a very significant role in the formation of historically Black fraternities and sororities as the first in the country, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Cornell University in 1906. Others followed and now there are nine members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Alpha Phi Alpha was not excommunicated from campus. In 2004, the Alpha Chapter faced a Review Board hearing for violating the University Recognition Policy concerning an especially egregious hazing incident. As a result, they lost recognition until 2009, however, they were allowed to return earlier, in 2008 after an appeal. The Review Board serves to determine the chapter’s status with the University and conditions for continued University recognition. In the last five years, three IFC fraternities have lost recognition via the Review Board for one year, four years, and now SAE for five years, respectively. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. returned to campus in 2008 and has been a strong organization ever since. Any other NPHC fraternity or sorority that left campus did so as a result of a decline in membership, not through the decision of the Review Board..

I would encourage you to visit www.hazing.cornell.edu. The Sunshine Policy allows us to post recent violations of the Recognition Policy and their outcome.

Uncle Ezra

Hi Ezra! Is there one single website which puts up all the talks happening on campus. I seem to be missing out on many interesting talks because of this. Please help!

Dear Uncle Ezra,

There is a dead, decaying squirrel out in the open on the Arts Quad near Goldwin Smith Hall. It's not so much it being dead then the fact that it's been out in the open for who knows how long that bothers me. Who do I contact?

Dear Uncle Ezra, While munching on some delicious chicken strips and surfing online, I discovered that Robert C. Baker, a Cornellian, was responsible for the creation of the glorious chicken nuggets- a feat I find even more impressive than creating the Cornell Chicken recipe. This had me wondering, is Baker Laboratory named after Robert C. Baker? Also, what other poultry/food related contributions have Cornellians made? The only other I know of is that the red on Campbell's soup came about because Campbell's chief executive was inspired by the colors on the Cornell football team uniforms..

Dear Uncle Ezra,

"this is not some Texas cow college with a barbecue pit between every bike rack" snarky comments like this one, and other recent ones, do not reflect well on you, or on Cornell

Dear Chicken Muncher and Dear Offended by Comment,

Apologies! Your Uncle regretted the “Texas cow college” thing (in the April 7, 2011, DUE to someone looking for a barbecue grill on campus) the moment he hit the “Send” button. That remark was not worthy of Professor Robert C. Baker. The inventor of Cornell Chicken Barbecue Sauce was a kind man who never profited from his recipe. Over the years he hosted (and basted) hundreds of community-service barbecues to aid worthy causes.

And the disservice to the memory of Prof Baker is all the more regrettable because no building bears his name here. Baker Laboratory, headquarters for the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, honors George F. Baker, who gave $1,500,000 back in 1919 to build a more fireproof hall of chemistry. The original Morse Hall (named for Samuel F. B., whose invention was Your Uncle’s ticket to a very nice job, building all those telegraph lines that made Western Union, and earning the money to found this place in the first place) was built in 1888. Regrettably it had a habit of catching fire (beginning in 1916, then repeatedly until it was torn down in 1954 —from the site that is now the Johnson Museum of Art) so Baker Lab had to be better than that.

Yes, the story of Cornell red’s inspiration for the soup-can labels is true enough. But a much more important contribution was Cornell Bread (see DUE April 28, 2009, for the recipe). To a hungry nation addicted to spongy white bread, Professor Clive M. McCoy brought a hearty loaf you could sink your teeth into: unbleached flour, soy protein, wheat germ, honey, and other healthful ingredients. Yum!

Legend has it that McCoy invented the nutritious bread for institutionalized mental patients who refused to eat anything but white bread. No one ever mistook Cornell Bread for Wonder® bread. But which would you rather live on?

Hint: Look in “The Cornell Bread Book” (in Mann or the Hotel Library) for the bizarre photo of two laboratory rats, each being weighed on scales. The sad, wimpy rat is the one raised on plain white bread by Professor McCoy. The healthy hunk of a rat grew up on Cornell Bread. Now you know what to do.

And to see a building named for Cornell’s Sultan of Sauce, you’ll have to go to the New York State Fair this summer. Follow the enticing scent of smoky sauce to Baker’s Chicken Shack. It’s a longtime family enterprise that helped put a bunch of Baker kids through college.

If these stories of invention are community service for snarky remarks—and before offending friends of Wonder® bread or lab rats—it’s time to go.

Uncle Ezra