Ask a Dean Category: Academics
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…
Is there an update on access to campus libraries and any funding available to reimburse research-related expenses?
Category: Academics Date: June 2020
Hello Deans, The ongoing public health emergency and closing of many campus services has interrupted many aspects of our lives, and understandably much of this is outside the control of the Graduate School. While this is undoubtedly not the gravest of issues in this time, one of the things that has been challenging for me,…
Is there a possibility of extending the deadlines for students graduating in August?
Category: Academics, Policies and Requirements Date: May 2020
Dear deans, I hope this email finds you well. I am a second-year M.S. student and an incoming Ph.D. student this fall. I recognize that the Graduate School extended the M.S. thesis submission deadlines for students graduating in May already, and I’m writing to explore the possibility of extending the deadlines for students graduating in August as well. I understand the original draft submission deadline…
Does Cornell have a license for Pavlovia already?
Category: Academics Date: May 2020
Dear deans, Together with my office mate, I’m trying to set up a plan for my field (and maybe even one that we could share between fields as soon as we have everything sorted out) so we would be able to continue running participants. For my research, we go online using Pavlovia. That way we…
How flexible will the Graduate School be if students need extra time to complete their academic milestones?
Category: Academics, Fellowships and Funding Date: April 2020
Dear Deans, How flexible will the Graduate School be if students need extra time to complete their academic milestones? All of the graduate students I know are working hard to make progress towards their degree virtually, but many students absolutely need to do physical experiments or collect data in a certain location to finish their…
Can graduate classes be taken S/U during these trying times?
Category: Academics, Policies and Requirements Date: April 2020
Greetings, I wanted to seek clarification on the option to take graduate classes as S/U during these trying times. I believe there hasn’t been an announcement as to whether this will be an option for students’ required classes or required electives. Thank you for your time. Stay safe, Grad Wondering About Grading Options Response Dear…