Ask a Dean Category: Academics
What are our prospects for resuming in-person research group meetings after members have completed their vaccination cycles?
Category: Academics, Health and Wellness Date: March 2021
Dear Deans, I have a question for the Ask a Dean column. Within about five to six weeks from now, all four members of my advisor’s research group will be fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna shots (both highly effective). Frankly, we are quite sick of meeting over Zoom and academic progress has also…
Is there a way that teaching assistants teaching in-person sections can receive microphones?
Category: Academics, Other/Miscellaneous Date: March 2021
Hi, I am currently teaching a large, in-person discussion section. Due to the size of the room I would like to use a microphone. The tech assistant told me that the professors usually bring their own (I think they were provided?). Is there a way that TAs teaching in-person sections can receive microphones? Thanks, Quiet Voice…
Are in-person A exams currently allowed?
Category: Academics Date: March 2021
Dear Deans, Is the Graduate School currently allowing in-person A exams? -Hopelessly Devoted Response Dear Hopelessly Devoted: Beginning in spring 2020, the Graduate School shifted all A, B, and M exams to online format in response to the COVID pandemic. In the fall semester, as some in-person instruction resumed we opted not change the policy…
Students get evaluated through the SPR yearly, but is there a process that evaluates our advisors?
Category: Academics, Health and Wellness Date: January 2021
Hi! We get evaluated in the Student Progress Review (SPR) every year but is there a process that evaluates our advisors? Many grads suffer from lack of advising or unprofessional advising and are not sure how to handle it or are afraid of retaliation if they speak up. Poor advising affects not only our professional…
Is the A exam scheduled before a student completes research for a dissertation, during which the student presents proposed dissertation research?
Category: Academics Date: January 2021
Dear Deans, I attended a practice A exam today. My classmate was preparing to present two papers completed before the A exam but he did not have a proposed topic for a paper to complete after the A exam so I was confused. I thought that the A exam is scheduled before the student completes…
How can I find out about the petition process and the different reduced testing frequencies that will be available?
Category: Academics, Health and Wellness, Student Life Date: August 2020
Dear Deans: Cornell’s Surveillance Testing program says a petition process for graduate research degree students to qualify for reduced testing frequency will be available in early September. How can I find out about the petition process and the different reduced testing frequencies that will be available? -Curious About Surveillance Response Dear Curious About Surveillance: Thank…
Will conference grants still be supported by the Graduate School?
Category: Academics, Fellowships and Funding Date: July 2020
Dear deans, I would like to attend a virtual conference, will conference travel grants be available in Fall 20? Interested in a conference Response While University travel is restricted, the Graduate School is modifying our Conference Travel Grant program to help cover the cost of student participation in online conferences. To be eligible, student must…
What is the timeline for thesis draft submission and the revision process?
Category: Academics, Policies and Requirements Date: June 2020
Dear graduate deans, I am a M.S. candidate who is planning to graduate this August. I am writing to ask about the timeline for draft submission and the revision process. I see from the Cornell Graduate School website that I should submit the draft to all committee members at the first week of June, but…
How will Cornell set clear research reactivation priorities?
Category: Academics, Health and Wellness Date: June 2020
Dear Deans, I am a Cornell Ph.D. student and I think that many other Ph.D. students probably share my thinking. Upon being cleared by NYS to reopen Cornell for research in certain fields, the entire university has been busy working out plans. I would like to thank all those putting their effort in designing protocols…
Do you have any suggestions for creating a peaceful work environment?
Category: Academics, Health and Wellness Date: June 2020
Dear deans, It has been somewhat of a challenge for me to transition to working from home. Generally, my living situation is just not well suited for productivity. In my apartment, I surround myself with all the comforts that normally help me to relax after working on campus. But now, while having to work surrounded…