Dear Bumming,
The subject of sexual harassment is a very tricky one. While just about everyone agrees that people should not have to suffer being harassed, personal definitions of harassment vary from individual to individual and from context to context.  The Office of Equal Opportunity has examined the issue of sexual harassment at length, so I sought their expertise on your question.  Here is what Carolyn McPherson, Coordinator of Women's Services, had to say:


        "In your letter, you asked if the definition of sexual harassment has changed.  The Cornell definition of sexual harassment has not changed; however, I think your confusion comes from the following:



                 'BEHAVIOR WHICH MAY CONSTITUTE SEXUAL HARASSMENT
        '1) Sexist comments - jokes or remarks that are stereotypical or
            derogatory to members of one sex. (This may include comments that are
            made to a group as well as specific comments addressed to an
            individual such as "sweetie" or "honey".)
        '2) Unwelcome attention - flirtation, being overly helpful, too friendly,
            or too personal, but short of sexual inquiries.




        '3) Body Language - staring and/or leering at one's body; standing too
            close.
        '4) Verbal sexual advances - general expressions of sexual interest,
            inquiries of sexual values or behaviors, but short of a proposition.
        '5) Invitations - personal invitations for dates or to house or apartment,
            but where sexual expectations are uncertain.
        '6) Physical advances - kissing, hugging, pinching, fondling, touching.
        '7) Explicit sexual propositions - clear invitations for sexual encounter
            but containing no threats or promises.
        '8) Sexual coercion/Bribery - explicit sexual propositions which include
            or strongly imply promises of rewards for complying (e.g. promotion,
            good performance evaluation) and/or threats of punishment for refusing
            (e.g. being fired, transfered).'
        '--From: Assessing Sexual Harassment and Public Safety: a Survey of
         Cornell Women, Conducted by CISER Survey Research Facility for the
         Cornell Office of Equal Opportunity.' "Sexual harassment is in the eye of the beholder; therefore, the important thing is not how the behavior is intended but how it is perceived by the recipient.  Unwanted, unwelcome and repeated are key words to keep in mind in deciding if certain behaviors are sexual harassment.  In looking at what you are doing, you might find it helpful to ask yourself the following questions:


        "1) Do women seem to welcome and appreciate the kind of attention you give them?
        "2) Would you want to be treated in a similar manner?
        "3) Would you want your mother, sister, wife or daughter to be treated the way you treat women at Cornell?
        "4) Would you be embarrassed to see an account of your behavior on the evening news?"
        "If you can answer yes to the first three questions and no to the fourth, you are probably treating women appropriately.
        "Certainly we want Cornell to be the kind of place where people care about each other and help each other.  You don't need to pull into your shell and say, 'I won't get involved.'  Continue to care and be involved in helping others, but be sensitive to how others are responding to your attention.  If someone lets you know verbally or non-verbally that your attention is unwelcome, then stop that kind of behavior with that person.
        "It is sad that sexual harassment exists and causes so much stress and difficulty for the victims.  Hopefully, by thinking now about the way we treat each other, men and women can develop a new level of trust and respect for each other." --Carolyn McPherson


        Although both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment, it's easy to infer from Carolyn's comments that the great majority of victims are women. In fact, of the 39 cases reported to OEO last year, in only two were the victims men. In either case, as Carolyn says, "unwelcome," "unwanted," and "repeated" are the key words.  You are being generous and helpful if you offer your home phone number, but you are harassing if you note that the recipient seems to feel uncomfortable AND you push the issue.  Being "overly helpful" is in the eyes of the recipient; if she (or he) feels threatened, it is no longer "helpful."




        Obviously, if the recipient doesn't give any cues that he or she is uncomfortable, you cannot know to change your behavior, but you should watch carefully for those clues. They might include stepping back, suddenly looking withdrawn or frightened or angry, or a quick refusal of your offers. In most cases, it is not your original action that is the problem, but the repetition of such action.
        Your letter gives me the impression that you are a very sensitive and caring person, and I hope that won't stop.  If you are aware that even your best-intended motions may be threatening or harassing, you can be even more effective than before at helping people and making them comfortable around you. It sounds to me like you are already very good at knowing how people feel and finding ways to help them, and we need those qualities.  If you are still confused -- and this is a confusing issue -- why not call or visit the Office of Equal Opportunity? It's in 234 Day Hall (5-3976) and the staff there will be happy to discuss your concerns.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Dave,
The only official grad coed "fraternity" is Gamma Alpha located on 116 Oak Avenue in Collegetown.  I have the word fraternity in quotes because the house is not actually a fraternity, but a cooperative. (However, it used to be a fraternity; the house is nearly 100 years old.) These days, rooms are open (when available) to grads studying the sciences.  If you're not exactly a physics whiz, never fear. The people of Gamma Alpha are pretty flexible in defining the sciences, including all social sciences as well as physical sciences. If you are interested in checking it out, just head on over anytime and ask Marty or Burt to give you the house tour.  You can also call them at 272-1651.  The grads own the house, so the rents are much cheaper than other typical co-ops.




         Even though there are really no other coed cooperatives for grads, there are other co-ops you may wish to visit and consider. There are over a dozen on campus, catering to many different interests. Some are for women or men only, and some have a theme, like Ecology House.  Drop by the Dean of Students Office, 103 Barnes Hall, to peruse the House to Share listings of both formal and informal cooperatives.  Guaranteed you'll soon find your niche!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Listener-to-Be,
The folks at CUINFO have been working very hard catching up with the inevitable backlog of listings that occurs at the start of each semester, as many departments submit material all at once. You'll be glad to know that MUSIC is now up to date. Happy listening!                  Uncle Ezra

Uncle Ezra   

Dear VC,
McGraw Tower is open for visitors during its daily concerts, which are Monday-Friday, 7: 45, 1: 10, and 6: 00; Saturday at 9: 55, 1: 10, and 6: 00; and Sunday at 10: 45, 12: 00, and 6: 00.  The folks at the Tower tell me that visitors are allowed in about 10-15 minutes before each concert, but no further visitors are allowed in after the halfway point of each concert.  I made the 161 step climb myself, and though it nearly killed me it was well worth it.  At the top is a guest register for visitors to sign, not to mention a spectacular view. If you would like more information, call the Tower at 255-5350.  As for John, I hope he's got strong legs!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Soon To See The Light,
This light can be fixed immediately by the Maintenance Department, but only if they know its exact location -- and the person who knows that is you! They suggest you call Lori Watkins at 255-7575 and tell her where the problem is.  If you're uncomfortable with that, you can write back to me with the information, and I'll pass it on to Lori (but realize that it will take longer to fix that way).
        In the meantime, take care--and carry a flashlight!  (Walking with a friend is always a good idea too, whether the lights are on or off.)

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Still Reading,
You're quite welcome.
        The answer to your question is "Yes": CUINFO EZRA ASK simply "packages" a piece of electronic mail and sends it to my electronic address.  If you know how to use electronic mail yourself, go right ahead and write to me directly. I'm UNC@CORNELLC.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Syerditi,
To answer your first question about the young trees along Six Mile Gorge, there are several possible explanations.  In the 1850's, there were many saw mills operating in the area which evidently destroyed a great number of the resident trees.  The only problem with this explanation is that by now any new trees planted at that time would have reached maturity.  In 1916 Robert Treman turned over a lot of the land in the area to the City of Ithaca on the condition that it would not be used for industrial purposes.  As a result, the City initiated a tree planting program which may be responsible for the new growth you are talking about.  There have been no recent fires on that part of the trail, but floods often wash away older trees and make room for the new. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Beth Mulholland at 273-4295. She is chair of Circle Greenway, the organization that takes care of the trails at Six Mile Gorge.
        As for your difficulties in fitting Russian into your schedule, there should be a way to work it out.  The best thing to do right now is to stop in at the Engineering Counseling and Advising Office, 167 Olin Hall, and ask to speak to one of the counselors there.  You don't need an appointment, and the folks there are more than willing to give students a hand with scheduling difficulties.
        If for some reason you cannot fit Conversational Russian into your academic schedule, there are other ways to "parlez" in Russian (you'll have to excuse me--I sometimes slip into Romance language mode!)  You can practice and help someone out at the same time by volunteering as a language partner at CIVITAS (Anabel Taylor Hall, 255-7513; see CUINFO VOLUNTEER).  There's nothing like having a native speaker around, right?  Another interesting possibility is to participate in the Russian Table, an informal group that meets weekly to practice conversation skills.  The meetings are held every week from 5: 00-6: 00 in the basement of Rulloff's restaurant in Collegetown.  As you can see, there are many ways to satisfy your desire.  Dasvdeniya!

                                        Dyadya Ezra (Uncle Ezra)

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Floundering Frog and Grounded Grad,
Unfortunately, you can't get a hold of commencement information on CUINFO until late March or April.  However, students eligible for graduation receive two mailings: one to their home address during the second week of January, and one to their local Ithaca address during the second week of March. You can swim at either the Teagle or Helen Newman pools at specified times every day of the week. Posting of pool schedules on CUINFO is delayed because they are constantly being switched around at the beginning of the semester. However, as of a day or two ago the schedules did appear.  You can also pick up schedules at both Helen Newman and Teagle, but please do this in person rather than inundating the staff with phone calls. You'll be swimming like fish (oops, sorry) frogs, in no time!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Mark,
Yes, you're right, and I think we've got the final scoop on the Time and Temperature Line.  (It's about time!)  The service is owned by Dick Furnas who sells the ads to several sponsors in the area for a monthly fee.  Alternatives Federal Credit Union , Tomtran, and the Grapevine are only three of the constantly changing sponsors.  Thanks for the timely correction!

Uncle Ezra