Ask a Dean
How can I get funding to present a conference talk? How do I apply for parental leave? Who can I talk to about a confidential issue in my graduate field? How do I handle a difficult relationship in my field?
Use the “Ask a Dean” program to get timely answers to your questions.
Questions and responses that may be of interest to the graduate community will be published anonymously on the Graduate School website and in the Graduate School Announcements.
Academics
- How can I find out about the petition process and the different reduced testing frequencies that will be available?
- Will conference grants still be supported by the Graduate School?
- What is the timeline for thesis draft submission and the revision process?
- How will Cornell set clear research reactivation priorities?
- Do you have any suggestions for creating a peaceful work environment?
Fellowships and Funding
- Could we be provided clarity on who was eligible for and received the emergency summer fellowships?
- Can we take a “leave of absence” without losing our scholarships/fellowships?
- Will I have a gap with no stipend due to the delayed start of my assistantship appointment?
- Will my FY21 stipend be reduced due to measures being taken to address Cornell’s budget deficit?
- Will conference grants still be supported by the Graduate School?
More Fellowships and Funding questions
Health and Wellness
- Can international students travel abroad over winter break and are there specific disadvantages to doing so?
- How do graduate students receive the welcome packages with COVID-19 protection?
- Three questions: Is it possible to have a question box for COVID-19 concerns? Why can’t we schedule surveillance tests in advance? Does sharing a house constitute close contact with others?
- How does taking a health leave of absence affect student health insurance and immigration status?
- Is Cornell planning to open more testing sites soon?
More Health and Wellness questions
Other/Miscellaneous
- Can committee meetings be in-person or should everything be remote?
- If I see people working on campus without approvals, how can I report my concerns?
- Is Cornell preventing students from leaving Ithaca during the pandemic?
- Does Cornell have a recording studio where students can record interviews and audio?
- What resources are available to help student-partners find employment?
More Other/Miscellaneous questions
Policies and Requirements
- How should students who never left Ithaca complete the Re-entry Checklist?
- What is the timeline for thesis draft submission and the revision process?
- Is it possible for the stipend to be extended?
- Is there a possibility of extending the deadlines for students graduating in August?
- Why are international students not allowed to work remotely from abroad?
More Policies and Requirements questions
Political and Global Concerns
- Can international students travel abroad over winter break and are there specific disadvantages to doing so?
- Is there anything in the works to get students to fill out the census?
- Has Cornell been advocating for international students relying on OPT work authorization?
- Can the country-specific language be removed from the original COVID-19 Ask a Dean message?
- In response to the recent anti-Asian and anti-Chinese views, what specific steps is Cornell taking to ensure the integrity of anti-discrimination policies?
More Political and Global Concerns questions
Student Life
- Can international students travel abroad over winter break and are there specific disadvantages to doing so?
- How can I find out about the petition process and the different reduced testing frequencies that will be available?
- Could you please clarify what is and is not allowed under the Behavioral Compact?
- Can you consider posting the following mental health resource?
- What should grad students’ expectations be of the TGIF schedule throughout the semester?
Tax
- Will I still qualify for the stimulus payment if I did not file a tax return last year?
- Are we taxed on our health insurance?
- Which taxes do not have to be paid by graduate students?
- Which tax year is used for spring stipends?
- Can you tell me how Cornell follows 117 a-c while so many other institutions obviously follow 117d?
Union Representation
- What ever happened with the union vote?
- Are there any updates on the unionization vote that took place last spring?
- Is the union allowed to use my name and image without my permission?
- If we vote to form a union, where will the money come from to pay for the added benefits?
- Several questions about student union design