Dear Sleepless,

Distressing dreams can be common; sometimes we can learn something from them, sometimes we cannot. But it's uncommon to have lots of nightmares if you're not also having something difficult going on in your life – even something the content of which is nothing like the dream. So counseling is probably a good idea, to learn some techniques to deal with your nightmares as well as to possibly resolve distressing things in your life that might be related to the nightmares.  Make an appointment with CAPS at Gannett Health Services by calling 607-255-5155.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Homesick,

I am sorry to say that there really aren't many good ways to get from Ithaca to Boston.  Planes are expensive, buses do take a long time and if you rideshare you are at the mercy of other people's schedules. 

I hope you got home for break.  There should be Cornell sponsored buses home for Thanksgiving and for the end of the semester.

Boston Charter Bus Service for Cornell Students:

CSS and CoachUSA offer special charter bus service to Ludlow and Boston for most Cornell breaks. Tickets typically go on sale a few weeks prior to the
breaks and information will be posted on our website at that time about
specific details of the bus service (i.e., dates, times, costs, etc.).   If you are on the email listserve, you will be notified when the tickets go on sale.

If you are not on the listserve and would like to be notified by email when the seats go on sale, you can email csscharters@gmail.com and ask to be added to our Boston Listserve.

Tickets must be purchased, in advance, through this website and buses do sell out so reserve your seat early.

http://www.studentagencies.com/info.php?page=short_line

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Hungry,

I sent your letter on to Cornell Dining, so they are now aware of your needs.  I am sure you are not alone in desiring good healthy food to cook with.  Try the Dilman Hill Student Farmer's Market;

Dilmun Hill Farm Stand

Mondays, 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Ag Quad on the Ithaca Campus, in front of Mann Library, insider the lobby on rainy days

Thursdays, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
With the new campus farmers market on Ho Plaza

Another choice is to use an Ithaca Carshare car.  Check out the site to see how you and your friends can take a car from the Cornell Campus to the supermarket of your choice!  http://www.ithacacarshare.org/

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

Thank you for asking. The key distinction here is between “domestic” programs in the US, such as those in NYC and DC, and “abroad” programs which are outside the US (Hawaii is domestic). There are hundreds of programs and universities abroad where Cornell students can study and many include research, internships and service-learning! For many CU Colleges, studying abroad can fulfill requirements beyond what transfer credit can (major, residency, etc).

Students who want to study at another US university should explore it with their advisor, and clarify issues like leave-of-absence and transfer of credit.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

Yes, you may walk in the Spring of 2013 but you will need to come to the Commencement Office to get a packet that we send to your family in early January 2013. You won’t be on the graduating list for May so they won’t get it automatically.

You also have the option of walking in a small ceremony that Cornell holds after Fall semester each year instead of waiting.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear All Above Average,

Passing this on to the appropriate Marisa LaFalce in the University Registrar’s Office, the following is learned:

“This link is not broken, it was removed by request of the Dean of Faculty.  This past spring, the University Faculty voted to remove the median grade reports.  People wishing to learn more should visit the following site (http://registrar.sas.cornell.edu/Student/mediangrades.html) or contact the Office of the Dean of Faculty.”

Previously, an August 2011 story in the Daily Sun (http://cornellsun.com/node/47458) “University Eliminates Median Grade Reports,” reported:

“The Faculty Senate voted in May to cease the online posting of median grade reports for Cornell courses, leaving students without the controversial resource that had helped them choose classes since 1998 . . . The resolution said that the publishing of median grades for all courses is ‘used by students to select courses that give high grades,’ noting that the practice has contributed to grade inflation.”

We probably haven’t heard the last of this.  What do you think?

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Alicia,

Since 1872, each graduating class at Cornell has united together to express its appreciation for all that the university has done and the opportunities provided. Today, leaders in the senior class join the Senior Class Campaign to rally around a class gift and continue the legacy of the Class of 1872. As the very first full four-year class to graduate from Cornell, the Class of 1872 held a special place in Cornell history.

Their class gift was a double row of elm trees, planted east-west on "President's Avenue" (approximately from East Avenue to the west side of the quad -- the path that President Andrew Dickson White would walk from his home to the stone bench overlooking the Slope). Although the elm trees are long gone, the stone marker given with them remains. It reads "Prima inter pares '72," translating to "First among equals." An appropriate sentiment coming from Cornell's first four-year class.

Thanks to Corey Ryan Earle for this information.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Sports Buff,

Corey Ryan Earle believes the initials were in memory of Greg S. Partigianoni. Partigianoni was a graduate of Cortland High School and Binghamton University. He coached baseball at Binghamton, SUNY Cortland, and Ohio State, where he received his masters degree and worked with the Columbus Clippers minor league team of the International League. He was the first head coach of the Cortland Apples in the now-defunct summer Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League. Partigianoni became the pitching coach at Cornell in 1986 under legendary head coach Ted Thoren, but succumbed to leukemia in 1990. His uniform number was retired by Cortland High School and the Cortland Apples. Since 1991, Cornell's baseball team has annually given the Greg Partigianoni Memorial Award to the Most Valuable Pitcher.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Max,

An authentic Cornell helmet would make a great conversation starter (You rushed for how many yards?) so let’s check with Big Red equipment manager, Mark Bilyk, who says:

“Each year we give the graduating seniors the option of buying their helmets. We charge them $50.00 for their helmets. If we have any extra we charge the same plus tax and shipping.” Make arrangements with Mark (607-255-4115 mjb17@cornell.edu) and start working on your story.

Or you might consider a more academic souvenir of your time at Cornell—especially if you studied in Warren Hall during the last 80 years: a solid oak door from a classroom or prof’s office.  The 1932 building is undergoing a total rehab, including replacement doors that meet current fire codes.  Stacks and stacks of the original doors are awaiting buyers at an architectural salvage place on Ithaca’s South Side (Significant Elements http://www.significantelements.org/).

Some of the doors still list the professors’ office hours, around which you could weave a convincing story: How you got an extension for that term paper, stayed up all night writing, rushed across the Ag Quad  . . . only to find the door open, the professor waiting, and an A-plus for your effort. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Stuck in a Hard Place,

I suspect the Technology Connection (thru Cornell Store) is probably going to be the most helpful in getting you an answer. They are an authorized warranty repair center for HP. See https://store.cornell.edu/c-556-repairs.aspx

Your other option is to choose a local computer repair service.

Uncle Ezra