Dear Nephew,

The on-campus Thanksgiving Feast is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24 at Robert Purcell Marketplace Eatery. There are two seatings available: 12:00pm and 1:30pm. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8.00 for children 6-12 years old; FREE for children 5 & younger.

Tickets go on sale beginning November 14 and can be purchased at the following locations: Hasbrouck and Maplewood Service Centers; Holland International Living Center (M, W, Fri 10 am–2 pm, Th 1 pm–4 pm, until November 18, only); Willard Straight Hall Ticket Office; Big Red Barn ( M–Th 2 pm–10 pm, through November 21, only); International Students and Scholars Office (B50 Caldwell Hall).

Be warned: This is a really popular dinner event and it has been known to sell out, so get your tickets early. Tickets will NOT be available at the door.

After your dinner, you’ll probably want to relax for a while. According to the Libraries website, libraries are closed on Thursday and Friday during Thanksgiving break. It looks like a couple of libraries might have Saturday hours and many are open on Sunday. Here’s the link: http://www.library.cornell.edu/FallBreaks2011. Have a restful break.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Fit,

Go for it.  Ask him out for tea!  or sushi or whatever. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Future Oriented,

The best advice I can give is for you to visit the Engineering Career Services Office, 201 Carpenter Hall. They can offer suggestions about what might be possible and logical. They have a wealth of information that has been collected over many years.  They will be happy to work with you to find an interesting volunteer position.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear New CSAers,

Congratulations on trying the very best way to eat fresh, local food on a budget while supporting community agriculture. 

Please don’t forget to give your feedback to the CSA — telling them what you liked, what you didn’t, and how they can do better next year. More raspberries, easy on the turnips?  They won’t know without you.

And now, as you note, winter is coming— along some alternatives to keep your pantry full:  Check this list of CSAs, maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County: 

http://ccetompkins.org/agriculture/buy-local/guide-local-foods

You won’t find quite the variety you had in the spring-summer-fall growing season.  But you won’t starve either.  Another possibility is Ithaca’s winter farmers market, held each Saturday after the outdoor farmers markets close, in the Women’s Community Building, at the corner of Cayuga and Seneca streets.

The end of the outdoor farmers market season — at least in Ithaca — is signaled by the annual Rutabaga Curl, scheduled this year for Dec. 17 at the Steamboat Landing pavilion.   If you bring along those extra turnips . . . well. someone might have a great recipe.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Worried Student, 

First of all, keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes -- it is part of the human condition!  What happens next is more telling of your character: do you take steps to learn from your mistake or do you compound your mistake with more misconduct or lies or blaming others for your actions?  Make the most of the opportunities afforded to you to grow from mistakes! 

I cannot comment on your specific case since I don't know any particular facts. In general, though, for first-time alcohol possession cases in the residence halls, a student will typically meet with the Residence Hall Director or Assistant Dean on behalf of the JA.  It is the same as being referred to the JA and is still a JA case, just more convenient and typically faster than waiting for the JA's schedule to clear.  You have all the same rights as a student meeting with the JA herself, such as choosing not to speak and having an advisor with you.  

After the discussion with the RHD or Assistant Dean, it is common to reach agreement about the facts and the appropriate educational sanction.  The sanction will likely include an alcohol education program called "BASICS" (which costs approximately $60), a warning and some sort of reflective project like a paper or bulletin board or rounds with the RA.  This does count as discipline and, if asked by law schools or med schools or employers, you must report it, but it is considered a less serious violation so the JA does not report it to these places.  It does not appear on the student's transcript. 

Subsequent violations are more serious, however, so a one-time mistake is best not compounded by further mistakes.  Enjoy all the opportunities at Cornell that do not include alcohol so you do not find yourself in this situation again! Mary Beth Grant Judicial Administrator

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Undecided,

A lot of your questions will be answered at the Financial Aid website http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/

so do your homework there before  speaking directly with a financial aid officer. Of course your parents are a vital part of this conversation, too, but financial aid offices really appreciate hearing from the prospective students.

Then — although you won’t want to wait to then—Cornell Days (April 12-23, 2012) is a great chance for those who have been offered admission to visit the campus for a couple days. To check out the food, the housing, the classes, the events, in the company of a currently enrolled Cornell student. To face-to-face with financial aid counselors, Athletics staff, whomever else you need to hear from. Basically to get a taste of Cornell life.

Campus-visit days are offered by most colleges, and you should try   more than one if you can. Above all— keep you parents in this important conversation.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Mom,

Glad that he had a good experience!  I wish him luck in the future.  Sounds like he is living his dream.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

You will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University.  For the requirements, see this site, http://as.cornell.edu/academics/degree-req.cfm.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Mom’s Best,

The "hi mom" web camera-server for the Ho Plaza area—mounted way up in Barnes Hall and sometimes called the Hi Mom Cam because it provided the video part of phoning home to parents, long before Skype —died of exhaustion in late July. All that waving and jumping around must have been too much to process.

According to Amy Bond in the Web Communications office — which is responsible for the www.cornell.edu homepage—attempts to find parts for the camera-server (a Canon brand, if you must know) were stymied by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.   Web Comm will have a replacement in place as soon as possible, Amy says.

In the meantime, you are encouraged to call home from any other web cam listed at www.cornell.edu. Try the Engineering Quad, Statler, Milstein Hall, or Your Uncle’s sentimental favorite: the Department of Horticulture Greenhouse.  With nothing much happening but plant growth, that greenhouse cam gets awfully lonely.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Judy,

Sorry, i can't help you.  The best way to find out whether something is valuable is to look on EBay or other sites to see what comparable items are going for.  Good luck.

Uncle Ezra