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
- Are in-person A exams currently allowed?
- Students get evaluated through the SPR yearly, but is there a process that evaluates our advisors?
- Is the A exam scheduled before a student completes research for a dissertation, during which the student presents proposed dissertation research?
- 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?
Fellowships and Funding
- Is Graduate School conference funding available for virtual conferences?
- Does Cornell allow graduate students to accept contract or consulting work a few hours per week?
- What are the criteria for Spring 2021 TA assignments?
- What are the funding dates for assistantships and fellowships for the spring semester?
- Could we be provided clarity on who was eligible for and received the emergency summer fellowships?
More Fellowships and Funding questions
Health and Wellness
- How does student health insurance work during an internship? Do I have to take a personal leave of absence?
- Is there a reason some physical education classes are restricted to undergraduates?
- Is the new Spring 2021 travel policy applicable to graduate students who live off campus in Ithaca permanently?
- Three questions: Can we see accrued sick leave in Workday? What is the process for taking sick leave? What are the changes to the academic leave policy?
- What is the rationale between the quarantine duration reduction?
More Health and Wellness questions
Other/Miscellaneous
- Is there a mailing list, website, or calendar where I can find out about upcoming talks?
- Does Cornell allow graduate students to accept contract or consulting work a few hours per week?
- Why are we still being charged the semesterly Student Activity Fee?
- Will parking be enforced through tickets now that undergraduates are gone again?
- I am on the verge of panic about the proposed immigration rule change. What is Cornell doing?
More Other/Miscellaneous questions
Policies and Requirements
- How does student health insurance work during an internship? Do I have to take a personal leave of absence?
- Is the new Spring 2021 travel policy applicable to graduate students who live off campus in Ithaca permanently?
- Three questions: Can we see accrued sick leave in Workday? What is the process for taking sick leave? What are the changes to the academic leave policy?
- Can I travel this winter for health-related purposes?
- How will faculty be held accountable for completing their part of the Student Progress Review?
More Policies and Requirements questions
Political and Global Concerns
- Can I travel this winter for health-related purposes?
- I am on the verge of panic about the proposed immigration rule change. What is Cornell doing?
- 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?
More Political and Global Concerns questions
Student Life
- Is there a mailing list, website, or calendar where I can find out about upcoming talks?
- Is there a reason some physical education classes are restricted to undergraduates?
- Why are we still being charged the semesterly Student Activity Fee?
- Will parking be enforced through tickets now that undergraduates are gone again?
- Can international students travel abroad over winter break and are there specific disadvantages to doing so?
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?
- 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?