Dear Always Choosing the Wrong Door

Jennie McGraw Fiske, donor of the Cornell Chimes and would-be builder of this library, literally ran into her husband-to-be (her arms filled with books, the entrance door eluding her, he being a lonely bachelor guy) so she gave a little more money to switch the doors, proclaiming: ‘You meet the nicest people going in the exit.

Could this be the real reason for the unusual placement of the doors?  If you believe so you will be momentarily disappointed when you hear the mundane truth from Kornelia Tancheva in Library Administration: "The Uris Library entrance set up is indeed rather unusual. It is the result of the security desk position and an old security gate configuration. We will look into the set up to determine whether it can be changed."

In the meantime, further engage your library curiosity by reading this plaque, which really is at the Uris front door: It begins, “The good she tried to do shall stand as if ‘twere done . . . “

Then look up Jennie McGraw Fiske in the Cornelliana section of the Dean Reading Room.  Hers is a bittersweet story (courted on the Continent, a president’s blessing and a prenuptial agreement,  a tragically foreshortened honeymoon and a disputed will) you’ll remember each time you walk past McGraw Tower —and forget which library door you’re supposed to go in.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Adventurer,

Oh, I wish I could help you with this.  Wish I could go too!

Backpacking through Europe sounds like a great idea.  Convincing your parents will best be done through a conversation between you and your parents.  In fact, a good way to look at it is that two or three heads are better than one.  So think of them as a resource rather than an obstacle.

Begin with the attitude that you have a dream that involves numerous objectives and desires.  Start out by writing down all the things that you want to experience and accomplish with the trip as well as all you will be doing to ensure your safety.  Understand that some will be met, some won't and after your conversations and the contributions of your parents, you might have new objectives to add, or even a whole different way to meet your objectives.  Maybe a guided camel trek through Egypt!

I assume you share your parents concern for your safety.  That is a good place to start when you talk to them.  Let them know what you want to do and what you already know about how you are going to ensure your safety.  Ask them to respond by talking about what they see as positive about your plans and what they have trouble with.

Work together to consider all options and brainstorm many wild alternatives and plans, before choosing what you will do.  Who knows what you will end up with, but if both you and your parents are open minded, interested in your development and excited about processing an interesting idea, there is a good chance you will come up with a solution that will work, even though it may look very different from your first plan.

Maybe you can find someone to go with, maybe you'll do it as part of a group, maybe your parents will join you for part of the trip and then you will take off for a while on your own.  Maybe your destination will change.  The possibilities are endless. 

Remember, rather then entering the discussion with the goal of convincing them,  ask them for their opinions and help and value their contributions to your adventure.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

There's passing and then there's passing.  If you're concerned about a particular course grade and how it will impact your academic record, please stop in and speak to your friendly college registrar (office listings can be found at http://registrar.sas.cornell.edu/Student/crdirectory.html.  The answer depends on your college, major, and the course.  For example a different grade may need to be earned if it is a course within your major than if it is a general college elective.  Good luck.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Tutu-ready,

Dance classes for all levels of experience are offered by the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance, http://theatrefilmdance.cornell.edu/ and some beginner classes are cross-listed with Physical Education http://pe.cornell.edu/physed/. Please also consider joining one of the dance-related Student Organization http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/ clubs.  You’ll be back in that tutu in no time — with PE credits, too.

Happy dancing!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Reader,

Oh, so sorry,,,http://commencement.cornell.edu/May/reshalls.html.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Career Planner,

If you’ve been following the local controversy over the proposed Collegetown Terrace development, you already know why  a background in urban planning is essential.  But do you know about  Cornell’s Program in Real Estate (http://realestate.cornell.edu/  and http://www.re.cornell.edu/) which is described as follows:

“Cornell’s Program in Real Estate offers a comprehensive, professional graduate level curriculum that educates the next generation of real estate industry leaders taught by the largest on-campus real estate field faculty in the country. Cornell is also home to the Cornell Real Estate Council, an extensive network of industry leaders, the Cornell Real Estate Review, conferences, research and industry news, and more.”

Your Uncle’s advice is to take advantage of  internship opportunities— around Ithaca or wherever you’d like to work — and learn from others’ mistakes and successes before  wielding your own groundbreaking shovel.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Lonely,

There may be many reasons why this group is not responding to your requests to get together, and speculating on the reasons is normal, but what makes most sense is instead of beating a dead horse, finding a group that does respond when you are interested in getting together.  I hear your plea for strong connections with friends.

Yes, Cornell has a large and diverse student body, but the benefit of that is that there are an infinite number of activities and places for you to fit in.  There is something for everyone.  I do hear that you feel especially disconnected by not having a major yet.  That is very understandable.

The Student Assembly not only understands the need for students to gather around their interest areas and coursework, they are actually doing something about it.  They are in the process of forming "Study Groups" on West Campus to help students, just like you, connect with others in their residence hall who have the same class so they can study together.

The Student Union Board is also sponsoring Coffeehouses in the Straight Browsing Library to help students who have an interest in a specific area meet each other.  this will start next year.

Sounds like feeling left out is also leading you to doubt yourself.  Please understand that it is normal to have different groups of friends to meet different needs.  This is not only true in a large college, but also in life after your graduate.  Many people have their group of work friends, their neighborhood connections and then another group of friends that centers around their hobbies, or kids.

It may be too late to change things for this semester, but you have a great goal for the beginning of next.  Attend Club Fest in Barton Hall.  Find two or three organizations that really speak to you.  Try them out and pay attention to those in the group who look like potential friends.  When you move into your new living situation, make a point of getting to know others who live around you.  Attend the Residence Hall programming to connect with others, and don't be shy about introducing yourself.

In the meantime, enjoy summer with your friends at home. Relax and rest up for your return in the fall.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Graduating Niece,

Congratulations!  Graduating seniors may invite non-seniors to many events, but some events are exclusively for seniors only.  The senior week schedule can be found here:http://cornelltickets.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event_listings.asp.  Enjoy!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Graduating Soon,

Contact Corey Earle, cre8@cornell.edu, Associate Director of Student Programs in alumni Affairs.  He should be able to help you figure out if it is possible.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Graduating Senior,

Congratulations on the many accomplishments you have made thus far. You have come a long way since you started here at Cornell and we could not be happier for you. Although the amount of time you have left on campus is limited, the friendships you have made and the memories that you have created will last a lifetime. Inevitably, the time has come to open a new chapter in your life. Before you cross over into the ranks of alumni, there are several important dates and procedures that you should be aware of.

Because of the high volume of questions surrounding our graduation clearing process, the CALS Student Services Office would like to keep you apprised of our procedure. As senior grades are reported, we will be comparing the grades with the remaining requirements outlined on Part I and Part II of the Applications to Graduate. In order to clear each student, all major requirements and all college requirements must be met. We have many students to clear and will do so as soon as possible. You will receive an email from our office once you have been cleared (Please note: a majority of our seniors are cleared on the Thursday prior to commencement). It is imperative that you are patient during this process. If there is an issue or question concerning your degree status, you will be contacted by phone with the number you have provided on your application to graduate.

In addition to completing the course work for the degree, the CALS Registrar’s Office will be ensuring that each student receives their proper distinctions in research and/or Latin honors (if applicable).  Once you have been cleared you will be able to view in DUST under the link Diploma Information your status and your honors (if applicable). Students who have earned Latin honor cords will be able to pick them up in the CALS Student Services office beginning on Friday, May 27^th (noon-4pm); Saturday, May 28^th (9am-noon); or Sunday, May 29th (9am-noon).  

The diploma information page also includes the link to the Post Graduate Survey. Please take 5 minutes of your time to complete this at your earliest convenience. It is a very valuable tool that our office and you can use to enhance your career experience.

We wish you the best of luck in the weeks ahead and are always here if you have any questions or concerns (607) 255-2257.

Best,

CALS Student Services

Uncle Ezra   

Dear High School Student,

It all depends...  If you are applying to be a Math major, it definitely won't look good to have two C's in Math.  If you are applying to a field that doesn't rely heavily on Math, it might not be a deal breaker.  Admissions looks at a multitude of things to create a diverse and exciting first year class.

All strengths are taken into consideration.  Do your best to paint an accurate and exciting picture of who you are and what you will bring to Cornell.  Good luck!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear 2 Alumni,

Sorry for the delay in responding, but Your Uncle has his nose buried in a Kleenex this Spring pollen season, with itchy eyes barely able to look up the number of the Entomology Department, which administers the University’s honeybee research and education  lab on Freese Road . . . okay, here it is  . . . (607) 255-7723 . . . and ask for the honeybee program ... then tell them what you want. 

Some of which sounds plausible  (with an authorized “escort” when approaching any beehive, whether on campus or  on private property) although less intrusive ways of inoculating your immune system with pollen (like chewing  unprocessed, locally harvested honeycomb) are suggested by some allergy sufferers who  prefer the “natural” way to commercial pharmaceuticals (more Cetirizine  Hydrochloride, anyone?).  Another great choice is to go to the Farmer's Market, in downtown Ithaca, and buy some Bee Pollen directly from the Bee Keepers.  Taking Bee Pollen is supposed to stave off allergies.

If University-owned hives aren’t ready for 2 Alumni noses, try a local beekeeper (get names from jars of locally produced honey or ask  at the Ithaca Farmers Market) but let’s all  hope the Spring pollen season passes quickly.

Uncle Ezra