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
- What study spaces exist solely for graduate students?
- Are there avenues or fellowships for teaching courses?
- What is the university doing to address the pressure placed on undergraduates?
- Do I need to warn my class about a potential privacy loophole in Piazza?
- Can master’s students take language classes?
Fellowships and Funding
- Is there any university funding available for master’s students?
- Is there a time off policy for graduate students receiving stipends?
- Can the conference grant criteria be changed?
- Do I have funding options post-dissertation defense?
- Does a graduate assistantship pay for health insurance?
More Fellowships and Funding questions
Health and Wellness
- Why don’t graduate students get dental insurance?
- Can graduate students be granted free or reduced-rate access to the gym during reading days and the finals period?
- What is the university doing to address the pressure placed on undergraduates?
- What resources are available to graduate students for musculoskeletal injury prevention in the workplace?
- Can I continue using my gym pass post-graduation?
More Health and Wellness questions
Other/Miscellaneous
- What resources are available to help student-partners find employment?
- How can we assure ourselves a parking place on campus?
- Can the Graduate School help address the need for more late-night buses downtown?
- How can I speak out about issues that are important to me without jeopardizing my career?
- How do students get considered for a spotlight?
More Other/Miscellaneous questions
Policies and Requirements
- Is there a time off policy for graduate students receiving stipends?
- Do I have funding options post-dissertation defense?
- Does Cornell have a policy about non-romantic relationships between TAs and undergrads?
- Can I finish my MS degree early?
- How do I check on my stipend and are they contingent on receiving an appointment?
More Policies and Requirements questions
Political and Global Concerns
More Political and Global Concerns questions
Student Life
- How can we assure ourselves a parking place on campus?
- Can the Graduate School help address the need for more late-night buses downtown?
- Is there a time off policy for graduate students receiving stipends?
- How can I share an article on grad students selected as Forbes Under 30 Scholars?
- How can we be added to the BRB listserv?
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?
- How will the proposed changes affect my taxable income, particularly in regards to the tuition that the NSF pays to Cornell?
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