- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
I'm a freshman at Cornell this year, and I've been trying to find a
good place to do some weight training. I've checked out all the
University's facilities, but they're always rather busy and the
quality of the equipment is, in my opinion, sub-par. Is there a
health club in the Ithaca area that has a large selection of high
quality free-weights and machines, and is still reachable by bus?
Not Weighting
Dear Lifting, Kudos to you for keeping in shape! Three area health clubs
accessible by city bus offer free weights, machines, and many other
fitness activities as well:
1) The City Health Club (402 W. Green Street; 273-8300),
2) Courtside (16 Judd Falls Road, near East Hill Plaza;
277-0200), and,
3) Ithaca Fitness Center (119 Third Street; 272-8779).
As you can see by the addresses, you can get to some more quickly
and easily than others...and, as you can guess, the quality of the
equipment, the range of services, and the costs vary. I suggest
calling to find out about introductory rates, so that you can try the
clubs for yourself and figure out what's best for you. Here's to your
health! Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle,
I have a question to ask for a friend of mine. She's the sort of
person who is very bright and excels at many things... but being on
time isn't one of them. The type you always end up just shaking your
head over and saying, "How did you ever get yourself into this mess?"
Late papers, sleeping through exams, going on road trips instead of
working on a project. She managed to come through it all surprisingly
well, considering the kinds of scrapes she was constantly in. We even
were beginning to breathe a long sigh of relief when May rolled around
and it looked like she'd get that black robe after all. Well, we
breathed too soon. She hadn't told any of us that the paper she was
supposed to write as her sole grade for an English class wasn't done
on time, and imagine our surprise when she finally told us the prof
was flunking her on the last three credits she needed to get her
diploma! Especially since she'd already accepted a job after
"graduation". To make an agonizing saga somewhat shorter, she has put
off, ignored, and downright refused the pleas I've baan making to her
since May to go and TALK to the prof in question (I know he's a nice
guy, he was my thesis advisor!). I still think he would not have been
so cruel as to not give her some way to make it up, esp. since it was
her diploma on the line. But she's so damned procrastinatory (real
word?) about things she doesn't want to face up to. Now it's 4 months
later and she's most of the way across the country working at her new
job, and I'm worried it's completely too late for anything. Can she do
something still to fix this? I'm thinking probably the only way now
is to take 3 credits someplace else (i.e. night school) and transfer
them here to finish up. Is there a time limit n doing even this
solution... willshe find herself out of a Cornell diploma? In the
college she was in, this makes a huge difference. She's too
embarassed/too much of a procrastinator to ask herself, so I'm asking
for her.
Thanks, Uncle Ez.
My Sister's Keeper
Dear Sister's Keeper, Thanks for caring and for taking the time to help out, even
though you realize that ultimately it's up to your friend to follow
through on her commitments...or to choose to let them go. I spoke
with Assistant University Registrar Janet Gray (255-9602) about your
concerns, and, I'm happy to report, she says that Cornell has an
open-ended policy about people finishing their degrees. As long as
your friend can work out arrangements with her professor to finish her
classwork, or can get credits at another school that are transferable
to Cornell, she can complete her degree any time. However, if she
hopes to talk to her prof about ways to make up the work, she
shouldn't procrastinate TOO long... the professor may forget all
about her! As Lady Mary M. Currie wrote in TOUT VIENT A QUI SAIT
ATTENDRE:
"Ah, 'All things come to those who wait.'
They come, but often come too late."
I hope she takes your encouragement to heart. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Unc. Ezra
My girlfriedd and I are rapidly approaching our second
anniversary. She lives in New York City and is coming up to Ithaca
for fall break. I thought tyhat it would be nice to get off campus
and stay in an Inn for the weekend. Not a Bed &Breakfast, though.
I've got a car, so distance really is not a proplem. Anyway, do you
think that you could suggest the names of a couple of Inns (the only
one I know is the one up in Aurora). Money is really not much of an
issue. Thanx
A Love Struck Engineer
Dear Love-Struck Engineer, With money as no object, you can try any of three fine inns in
the area, recommended by the folks at the Tompkins County Visitors'
Bureau (904 East Shore Drive; 273-7080):
1) The Rose Inn (Route 34N; 533-7905),
2) The Taughannock Inn (Route 89 near Taughannock Falls State
Park; 387-7711), or,
3) The Benn Conger Inn (West Cortland Street in Groton; 898-5817).
Since you have a car, you can go explore these inns and pick the
one that's best suited to your style of romance. After putting so
much loving thought into this, you're bound for a memorable
anniversary! Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle,
WHERE IS CORNELL'S VAUNTED INTRAMURAL SPORTS SYSTEM? My entire dorm
is ticked off because we wanted to participate in some sports as a
floor, and as far as we know, intramurals have already begun!!!!
Where was the please give us hope. Please help us...i realize part of
my message is incoherent but that's because I was supposed to organize
our team, and eveyone's blaming me...Please OBIWAN you're my only
hope.....
Help!
P.S. is it Student Assembly's responsibilty to publicize this stuff?
Because they seem pretty damn inept.
Dear Devotee of Obiwan, Tell the folks on your floor to calm down, and take a deep breath
yourself! Some intramural deadlines are over, but there's still three
quarters of the school year and plenty of activities yet to go. I
spoke with the Director of Helen Neuman Hall, Andrea Dutcher
(255-3817), who urges you to give the folks at the Intramurals Office
a call at 255-2315; they can give you whatever information you need.
Important intramural dates and deadlines are posted by Andrea's
office (not by Student Assembly) in numerous places: As part of the
FYI packet that goes out to new students, in the university calendar,
on flyers posted around campus, and in paid advertisements in the
SUN. In the hustle and bustle of the early part of the semester, it's
possible to miss even well-publicized information, though, so don't
hesitate to call the Intramural Office any time you have questions.
If you lose the number, look in the Cornell phone directory in the
listings under "Athletics and Physical Education". May the Force be
with your team! Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra --
I know that Stephen J. Gould is speaking as a part of the symposium
to honor Carl Sagar on the 13-14th of October. But, I don't know when
Gould is speaking and I'm having some difficulty tracking down this
info. Do you know? Furthermore, do I need to get tickets in
advance?
Thanks for your help.
Planning Ahead
Dear Astronomical, I checked with a contact in the Astronomy Department (255-4935)
who says that Gould is speaking in the Statler auditorium on Friday,
October 14, at 9:25am (how's that for precision timing?). You don't
need tickets; all the lectures are free and open to the public. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Unlce Ezra
I am writing in response to Annoyed (9/27/94 Q08) . I have a
different view point. I work in Space Sciences and pay my $300/year
to have a J permit so that I can find a parking space hen I need to
come in in the evenings. I get very annoyued when the small lot in
front of Space Sciences is filled with cars with no permits. I don't
believe the story that they didn't see the sighn. Even in the dark.
It is large (at least 3ft sq) and very reflective. When there is
something going on at Bailey HAll parking is scarce and people just
don't care. I pay my money to be able to park there. Others should
have to do the same.
Annoyed also.
PS Please excuse the typing, I haven't figured out your editor.
Dear Annoyed Also, Thanks for the other side of the story. You've got good reason
to be frustrated. Even though we all make mistakes at times, we all
have the responsibility to pay attention -- and to care -- so that
folks like you get the space you paid for. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
I just wanted to apologize for the EARS comment (9/27/94 Q06) I
made a couple of weeks ago (you know... "shrinks"). It had just been
a bad night, no bad week, whatever. And I guess I was letting it all
off in here.
Thanks for all your help!
Calmer now
PS: It isn't much better, but that was at a peak.
Dear Letting Off Steam, That's okay...I doubt anyone took offense! If you need to talk
some more, I'm here...and the students at EARS are as close as 211 WSH
or your phone (255-EARS). It usually takes time to work through the
kind of discouragement you're facing, and some extra support never
hurts. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
CIT strikes again! Now they've gone and gotten Power Macs for
Upson. And yet, STILL NO DECENT PRINTERS!!! Not even an ink-jet. Are
these people lazy, incompetent, or just plain stupid? And please tell
me what's the point of C drives in these computer? Even if they'd left
off the CD drives they could've gotten some ink-jets. In the end, most
useful stuff that gets done on a computer has to be displayed on
paper. Does CIT not know this? Many less well regarded and financially
constricted schools have laser printint for free, WHY DOES CIT
CONSIDER THIS A LUXURY? Why? They give the excuse that only those
using pay with the current method, and that charging a flat computing
fee isn't good. Well, we pay a fee for athletic events without having
a choice, and I believe Cornell is first and foremost and ACADEMIC
institution. I couldn't care less about the sports teams, I'm here to
study. And computers are more relevent to studies than athletic
events. It seems that you're often getting mail trashing CIT. If only
those incompetents would do something
Unhappy Camper
Dear Uncle Ezra,
Hi, I'm back after the long summer and I got a real surprise when I
went to Upson. POWER MACS!!!!!!! And then, another shock: CD-ROM
drives!!!! But why keep the trashy printers? It just doesn't make
sense. Somebody at CIT needs to stop taking drugs: this is really
ridiculous. But then, this is what one has come to expect from CIT.
Still not happy
Dear In Quest of Quality Printing, I forwarded your letters to the staff of CIT Instructional
Support Services, who respond:
"Yes, we do have a new PowerMac facility in Upson, and we are
very proud of it. We feel that the Laswer Printer in Upson is a
quality printer, and in addition, we are starting a new maintenance
program for the ImageWriters to keep the output at a quality level.
"We have been looking for a solution to the demand for printing
and are presently pursuing it. Along with researching ways to fund
and supply printing here at Cornell, we are studying other campus
solutions and have learned quite a bit about the issue at other
schools. We considered free printing, but the failure of such
programs at other schools discourages us from implementing this
option. Not only are the other schools' free-printing programs
failing due to inordinate costs, but the free printing involves
excessive waste which doesn't equate with a responsible solution.
"We also considered installing ink-jets in the labs instead of
the Image-Writers. Again, other schools that have tried this found a
high breakdown and repair rate and are considering other methods.
"As the role of the computer and the way that it works changes,
we try to look to the future and what Cornell students will need in
order to achieve the goal of a fine education. We do find, with the
increased use of electronic communication and multimedia, that a
smaller percentage of the final output from computers ends up on
paper. Our emphasis on communications and adequate computer power
serves to answer our needs as we move forward in this area.
"The issue of the CD-Rom drives is a part of this moving
forward. Aside from the practical issues of installing and
maintaining software on these machines, CD-ROMs will provide not only
an illuminating array of materials for users, but also is the present
choice for high-end distributed software.
"The Student Assembly sets the Activities Fee with the approval
of the Cornell President. This year's Student Assembly leadership is
working with CIT on computing issues like these and would welcome the
constructive help of interested students. This alliance has already
been fundamental to the implementation of the new West Campus Labs."
Thanks, CIT staff! I hope that you and anyone with similar
frustrations will call the Student Assembly office at 255-3715 to
volunteer your feedback and help to this interchange. Labeling people
lazy or stupid doesn't contribute to communication or to change, but
recognizing a problem and offering your own intelligence and energy
towards a solution does. Uncle Ezra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Question 9 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Uncle Ezra,
What I'd like to know is how high one can jump into water. Today I
jumped i Beeby lake off of Lover's Leap and had a great time. I figure
that it's about 5 50 feet up and I was wondering how high one can get
to so you're at the poi
...
I think some one picked up the line, Sorry . Anyway I want to know how
high one can jump and survive. Not really survive but any possiblility
of living? And also how high up you are until it doens't matter if
you go any higher.
Leap Lover
Dear Taking the Plunge, I'm glad that you had a great time and, moreover, that you're
still here to tell about it! I discussed your questions with Jack
Writer, Assistant Director of the Physical Education Department
(255-8467), who says that people who dive off high heights should be
careful because the main danger lies not in how high you start but in
how suddenly you stop. When you see cliff divers on television,
you'll notice that they actually have to punch a hole through the
water with their fists because the impact is so great when you've
built up momentum. Jack suggests you talk to a physics professor if
you want exact figures, but basically, if you keep your body straight
and your toes pointed, you can safely dive from much higher than you
can if something goes wrong and you belly-flop. I'm sure you've had
enough smacking experiences to back up this theory!
Jack adds that the dangers of jumping into Beebe Lake have less
to do with height than with not seeing what's submerged below the
water. If you can't see what you're jumping into or how deep the
water is -- which is the case in Beebe's murky, silt-laden waters --
you're courting trouble. I hope you won't risk your life finding out
what a big difference there is between real daring and foolishness.
Thanks, Jack! Uncle Ezra |
