Campus Update

As Cornell begins planning for a fully in-person fall semester, the Graduate School is encouraging students to begin planning the transition to on-campus operations during the summer if you have not yet done so. Please keep in mind the following during your return to campus.

• Health requirements for vaccinated students – Vaccinated students have minimal restrictions and no longer need to complete the Daily Check health assessment effective July 1. (See update from June 21, 2021.)
• Health requirements for unvaccinated students – Unvaccinated students still need to participate in regularly scheduled surveillance testing (once per week), but no longer need to complete the Daily Check health assessment, if they are enrolled in summer courses/programs, conducting research, living on-campus, or employed by Cornell. (See update from June 21, 2021.)
• Facilities – While graduate students are eligible to be on campus, some facilities and building are on a phased reactivation and require users to request access. Contact building managers if you have any question about summer occupancy, hours, or limits.
• Funding and in absentia – Research travel grants, in absentia approvals, and conference travel grants are now available.
• Teaching assistantships – For Fall 2021, nearly all teaching assistantship duties will be in-person. Students who left the United States during the pandemic and plan to be supported on assistantship in the fall must return to the United States prior to their scheduled start date. There are processes for students to request special exemptions for medical accommodation or if they are stranded abroad and unable to travel. 

If you have any concerns or barriers to returning to a full on-campus experience, please contact the following people.

• Your advisor or assistantship supervisor – They may be able to offer flexibility for certain on-campus duties or modify the timeline for returning to campus for students with unique needs.
• Your director of graduate studies (DGS) – They can help broker arrangements with your advisor or connect you with other campus resources. 
• Student Disability Services – Students who need a medical accommodation should submit a formal request. 
• The Graduate School – Contact gradschooldeans@cornell.edu if you would like the Graduate School to help you explore options.

Registrar

Preparing for the August Conferral

Congratulations to students who have reached the finish line and plan to complete degree requirements and graduate this summer. Please refer to the Thesis and Dissertation webpage for detailed information on deadlines and submission requirements to stay on track – the deadline to submit your thesis/dissertation is August 1st.

Submit In Absentia Request Now if You’ll be Away for Fall 2021

If you are a research degree student and you plan to be engaged in full-time study at least 100 miles from campus during the fall semester, you may apply for in absentia status using the online In Absentia Petition form. The CDC and State Department have advised that travel to certain areas is not recommended. If your proposed travel is international your travel must be submitted to the Travel Registry and approved through the ITART process.

News

Grad TAs and Postdocs Have Big Impact on Inclusive Learning

This spring witnessed many projects to make Cornell’s learning spaces more inclusive, but what does it take to put great ideas into action for change? On June 25, over 45 participants from across campus gathered to hear from a panel of innovative graduate students and postdocs who successfully implemented ideas for creating more equitable learning environments.

Read more about the panel.

Insights into Cassava Research from NextGen Fellow Leah Nandudu

Ph.D. candidate Leah Nandudu was recently named a recipient of the Schmittau-Novak Small Grants Program, which provide students with the opportunity to explore the process of writing and reviewing proposals and implementing a research plan.

Read more about Nandudu’s research.

Student Spotlight

Reika Tei is a doctoral candidate in chemistry and chemical biology from Kyushu island in Japan. Having attended the University of Tokyo, Japan as an undergraduate, she chose to pursue further study at Cornell for the supportive environment, enthusiastic professors, and beauty of campus. Read more.

Check out our other student spotlights and learn about students’ research, hobbies, and experiences at Cornell.