Highlights from Announcements 8/24/20
Complete Your Re-entry Checklist ASAP!
The enrollment tab is live in the re-entry checklist. This is the final step you must complete prior to enrollment, which opens for graduate/professional students on August 26.. If you have not completed the Checklist, please complete these steps immediately or you will be prevented from enrolling and registering for the fall term. In order to complete the enrollment section of the checklist, you must review and complete all nine steps of the re-entry checklist.
Even if you are a research degree student and not planning to take classes this fall, you must complete the checklist to avoid a registration hold. Registration is required to maintain student status.
If you are having trouble with any sections of the checklist, please go to the FAQ page for help. If you are unable to find the answer to your question, email studentdchelp@cornell.edu. The Daily Check app will be activated once you have completed the checklist.
More information about the Re-entry Checklist can be found here:
Reporting Behavioral Compact Concerns
If you observe students who you believe are not complying with Cornell’s Behavioral Compact requirements, send your concerns to compact_comply_t@cornell.edu.
Beginning 9/2/20, an online reporting form will be available where faculty, staff, students, and community members can report apparent violations to the Cornell Compact Compliance Team. The link to that form is not available yet, but will be announced soon.
Teaching-related Resources for Starting the Semester
- This Fall ’20 Checklist from the University Faculty identifies important issues to consider for the start of the semester as a TA (in partnership with your faculty supervisor as appropriate), including a number of safety-related matters relevant to in-person instruction.
- This Fall ’20 Guide for Instructors includes practical tips that relate to (a) the Behavioral Compact for student, (b) academic integrity, (c) assessment, and (d) effective online instruction.
- The Preparing for Fall Instruction page has been updated with guidance, best practices, and frequently asked questions regarding the fall semester.
- The Cornell University Health and Safety Considerations Subcommittee developed a resource page to inform decision-making for fall semester academic experiences.
TCAT Gears Up for Passenger, Driver Safety; Route Changes
For local transit buses this fall, the road through the COVID-19 pandemic is paved with safety.
Protecting passengers and drivers is the top priority for Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) for the upcoming fall service schedule, which starts Aug. 30 and runs through Thanksgiving. TCAT will resume charging fares Sept. 6.
Attention Incoming Graduate and Professional Students:
Orientation 2020 includes a live program, online modules, tips from current students via a panel webinar, and online social events to help you connect to other incoming students hosted by the Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center.
Upcoming Events
- Transitions workshops – Learn about developing a strategic plan, mentoring, funding, time management, responsible conduct of research, and navigating relationships.
- Panel: Words of Wisdom from Students and Faculty Advisors – Current graduate and professional students and faculty advisors share their thoughts, comments, and advice for incoming students embarking on their graduate careers.
- Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center – Attend a social mixer and take part in icebreaker activities to meet new and current students. All events will be online.
Explore our Orientation Hub to learn more about graduate study at Cornell and find links to important offices, resources, and support. New information in the Orientation Hub includes:
- Life Hacks: Graduate and Professional Students – Learn about a variety of resources to support mental health and well-being. Enroll on Canvas.
- Notice and Respond: Friend 2 Friend for Graduate and Professional Students – This online bystander intervention program addresses mental health situations and how one might respond to others needing help. Enroll online.
- Not Anymore Program – All graduate and professional students are required to view this online, interpersonal violence prevention program. View the program (NetID required).
- Note: On the Account Set Up page, you should see your name and NetID. To verify, click “Create Account”. Then, begin the program.
- Cornell Q-Week Events – The Campus Activities office is providing online programs and events leading up to the start of classes.
Please note: To view Orientation materials on Canvas, you must first activate your NetID.
Alumna Stresses Importance of Networking–Even in a Pandemic
“We aren’t an island,” said Malika Grayson, M.S. ’14, Ph.D. ’16, at the Aug. 18 Summer Success Symposium. “We want to make sure that, although we have our own knowledge, we gain knowledge through other people.”
During her session, “Activate Your Network: Developing Professional Mentor Relationships,” Grayson encouraged an audience of more than 100 new and continuing graduate students to seek out both networking opportunities and mentors, citing the importance of each for personal and professional development.
Seven Graduate Students Receive Wu Scholarships
Seven graduate students were recently awarded Hsien and Daisy Yen Wu Scholarships. These awards provide recipients with funds to help with any aspect of doctoral study, from research expenses to personal living expenses.
The 2020 recipients are: Oliver Ngai Keung Chan, communication; Yingjie (Tom) Fei, Ph.D. ’20, operations research and information engineering; Wanheng Hu, science and technology studies; Yingyu Liu, plant pathology; Yingying Zhang, biophysics; Yaoyi Zhou, design and environmental analysis; and Li (Julia) Zhu, policy analysis and management.
Read the full Wu Scholarships story
Nominate a Postdoc for Postdoc Achievement Awards
Nominations are open for the annual Postdoc Achievement Awards. To nominate a postdoc, please complete the online nomination form by August 28.
Every year, at least one of each of the following awards will be granted to deserving postdocs:
- Achievement Award for Excellence in Leadership
- Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
- Achievement Award for Excellence in Mentoring
For award descriptions, view the nomination form.
Student Spotlight: Manisha Munasinghe
Manisha Munasinghe is a doctoral candidate in computational biology from Troy, Michigan. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University, she chose to pursue further study at Cornell due to the variety of engaging research and its community of scholars.
Read the full student spotlight
Interested in what other graduate students are doing both on and off campus?
Check out our student spotlights, Q&As with current students about their research, hobbies, and experiences at Cornell.
Kudos!
Doctoral Student Awarded Point Foundation Scholarship
Michał Matejczuk, a first year doctoral student in food science and technology, was awarded the 2020 Point Foundation Scholarship Grant to promote greater diversity between STEM and the LGBTQ+ community of Ithaca. Matejczuk is focused on using the funds to partner with fellow students and performers (drag queens) to entertain and educate local youth to pursue future careers in STEM.