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
- Do I need to warn my class about a potential privacy loophole in Piazza?
- Can master’s students take language classes?
- Can I use color in my thesis?
- Do I have funding options post-dissertation defense?
- Is there a way to provide feedback about the professor I work with as a TA?
Fellowships and Funding
- Can the conference grant criteria be changed?
- Do I have funding options post-dissertation defense?
- Does a graduate assistantship pay for health insurance?
- Is there a reason for not receiving regular, biweekly paychecks as a fellowship recipient?
- Is there a campus fellowship advisor who can answer questions and read my essays?
More Fellowships and Funding questions
Health and Wellness
- What resources are available to graduate students for musculoskeletal injury prevention in the workplace?
- Can I continue using my gym pass post-graduation?
- Why is there a lack of privacy in the Cornell fitness center locker rooms and bathrooms?
- What mental health support options does Cornell have for in absentia students?
- What happened to the Calm app subscription?
More Health and Wellness questions
Other/Miscellaneous
- How can I speak out about issues that are important to me without jeopardizing my career?
- How do students get considered for a spotlight?
- What resources are still available after defending a dissertation?
- Why do some of the windows in Morrill Hall no longer open?
- Why are some parts of campus not well lit?
More Other/Miscellaneous questions
Policies and Requirements
- Do I have funding options post-dissertation defense?
- Does Cornell have a policy about non-romantic relationships between TAs and undergrads?
- How do I check on my stipend and are they contingent on receiving an appointment?
- Can I finish my MS degree early?
- Why are the in absentia forms so cumbersome to fill out?
More Policies and Requirements questions
Political and Global Concerns
More Political and Global Concerns questions
Student Experience
- How can I share an article on grad students selected as Forbes Under 30 Scholars?
- How can we be added to the BRB listserv?
- Are vegan options offered at Pie with the Deans events?
- How do I get emergency funding to help with a major health issue?
- How can we prevent demolition of Parrott Hall?
More Student Experience questions
Tax
- 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?
- Are all funded graduate students functioning under 117(a-c) of the current tax code?
Union Representation
- Are there any updates on the unionization vote that took place last spring?
- 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
- Is the union allowed to use my name and image without my permission?
- How did the union representative know where I live?