Dear Concerned,

Here is a wonderful response written by Renee Alexander, Cornell Director of Intercultural Programs:

Dear Uncle Ezra,

Thanks for forwarding the letter regarding Cornell’s Program Houses.

The anonymous author apparently is concerned with Cornel’s “multicultural” houses, which include Ujamaa (Uj), Latino Living Center (LLC), and Akwe:kon, at the expense of JAM (Just About Music), Ecology House, and Risley. Our ethnically-themed program houses are repositories of culture, history, and shared experiences.  Black and Latino students are not homogeneous. There are numerous “cultural niches” within these communities, and the program houses give students a space to explore the African and Latino diasporas.

Ujamaa and LLC are two of a variety of choices for not only students of African and Latino descent, but students from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. While the majority of these residence halls’ occupants are Black and Latino, by no means are the residents limited to these groups. Caucasian, Asian, and other groups live in these themed living settings.  Moreover, Ujamaa and LLC account for a relatively small percentage of Black and Latino undergraduate enrollment:  less than 15% of self-identified students of African descent and less10% of self-identified Latinos reside in Ujamaa and LLC, respectively.  The vast majority either live in traditional residence halls or off-campus.

Consider Cornell’s Greek system, and the numerous residential options that exist within its structure. Some Greek houses are independent while others are owned by the university. Fraternity and sorority members “self-select” and make a choice to live in virtually all-white community settings. Should we argue that these residents are “self-segregating” because they choose to live in residential settings that attract very few students-of-color? The Center for Jewish Living attracts students who choose to live in a setting that embodies and embraces Jewish culture and religion. Should they be singled out because they choose a residential setting that reinforces Jewish life at Cornell?

Residential life is one of many Cornell experiences, and as I survey our campus, I see numerous opportunities for students to enjoy multiple identities and connect with multiple communities:  athletics, student government, programming boards, clubs, committees, councils, to name a few. In my position as Associate Dean of Students/Director of Intercultural Programs, I am working with students across the university to build bridges across difference and create stronger linkages and relationships.  Looking forward, I invite you to become involved in a campus movement that seeks to engage students across difference:  race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, geography, socio-economic, and ability, for starters.  I look forward to exploring these possibilities with you.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Fabulous Nephew,

For the past several years, a pilot program has been in place in the West Campus House System to set aside several suites for students who opt to block with friends in co-ed suites. That program was not met with overwhelming demand and has been discontinued for the upcoming In-House lottery and room selection process for 2012-2013.

That being said, Campus Life would really like to be able to provide the housing options that all students want to see. The fact of the matter is that we just don’t have enough available housing to allow for many different configurations of space use. The demand for housing, particularly space on West Campus, definitely exceeds our supply.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Dr. Who,

Thanks for the info.  I love that there is a club for everyone at Cornell, if they will only take the time to look aroudn and try some out.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Curious Students,

The music is chosen at random. TAs and students can bring in any type of music they like, and the first person to do so will have his/her music played before class. If you'd like, feel free to bring something along to the next class!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Searching,

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will be able to affiliate with CHEME if you fail CHEM 3890. In addition to being a strong indicator of success in the CHEME major, it is also only offered in the Fall, which means that you would have to wait until next Fall to take it again. The CHEME curriculum is probably the most structured curriculum in Engineering, and if students get behind, it is difficult to get caught up without taking a leave of absence for a semester. That is an option, as well as beefing up on Chemistry at a Community College and trying again in the future.

Having said that, there are other majors, such as Materials Science, which have a strong chemistry component and a more flexible curriculum. I would recommend that you make an appointment to meet with someone in Engineering Advising (607-255-7414) to discuss options.

In answer to your last question, I don’t really have a good sense of how many students fail that class, but you should know that they are certainly not the only one.  As you rethink your options, look at what you are naturally good at and what you enjoy studying. If you are having trouble discovering that, it might make sense to take a variety of courses that look exciting to you to see which you excel at.  Also think about what it is about Chem that attracts you and find another way to reach that goal.  It might mean switching fields or schools.  Think outside that box for a new exciting path.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Worried,

Congratulations on doing well in most of your classes!

As I have said many times in the past, every college, department and major at Cornell is different, so there are not many questions that can be answered definitively when it comes to academics.  I don't know if you will be put on probation, probably not, but if you are worried about that you can see someone in the advising office of your college or talk to your faculty advisor. You can also then ask about this course being a pre-req for one in the spring.

In the meantime, be thinking about what you can do to study for that final.  Go to office hours, see if the Learning Strategies Center or Tatkon Center offers tutoring in that area or join a study group with friends to get support and guidance. 

If you do end up passing the course by the skin of your teeth, it might make sense to look over the material during break to make sure you understand it before embarking on the second course next semester.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Scofflaw,

There is no automatic “get out of jail free” card for Cornell parking tickets. But, we do have a simple appeals process, administered by warm-blooded people.

I think that the City of Ithaca does let your first parking ticket go.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Student,

Go to Julie Paige in the Off-Campus Housing Office on the 5th Floor of Willard Straight Hall.  Tell her your story and ask her what you should do and what resources are available to you.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear In-need,

Uris opened its doors in October 1891 and for many years was the only library on campus. Restructuring the wiring to meet the needs of modern standards is very difficult for such an old building, which is why there is a lack of electricity throughout. At this time, the library does not provide 2 to 3 prong plug converters, nor are there any plans in the works for restructuring and rewiring the building in the near future.

It may be a good idea to speak to a service representative at the library and give them the idea of plug converters for future students; I'm sure they will be grateful for your help!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Besodded Nephew,

Let’s pose your question to the student who designed and implemented the veritably green installation, Gilad Meron, and see what he says:

“Yes, I did use real grass. The installation was part of the exhibit that I curated and designed- http://cornell.localist.com/event/the_chroni cles_of_human_ecology_academics_research_outreach 

We did water the grass, about once a day to keep its thirst quenched. Unfortunately a lot of foot traffic takes a toll on sod so we had to take the installation out after about 2 weeks because it was on its way towards turning into a dirt patch with some dead grass on it. I wanted to take it out before it got to that point. Because we got such good feedback on it though, I've gotten approval to do it again. The new grass will be put in on the last day of classes and stay up throughout study days and all of finals to provide students a place of restoration and relaxation close to the library. Unfortunately, in this region of the country sod is only available through the fall, so we cannot keep "renewing" the sod, although I would love if it became a permanent installation. The issue though is that it is not a very sustainable practice. Sod takes a lot of energy to grow and transporting it uses a lot of gas. Not to mention that there is no sunlight in the lobby so the grass has a tough time growing. I would like to pose a question back out at the Cornell student community: How can we solve this problem? The grass is awesome, and it would be great to have it there year round, but it's not sustainable or financially feasible to keep getting grass. How can we get the best of both worlds?”

Thanks, Gilad, for that update.  It does Your Uncle’s heart good to see something growing on the Ag Quad—albeit indoors— besides a seemingly endless succession of temporary parking lots, modular offices and construction fences.  Keep up the good work! 

Uncle Ezra