Ask a Dean Category: Other/Miscellaneous
Can you assure students that only response themes from the Doctoral Experience Survey will be shared with fields? If not, can we withdraw or edit our survey responses?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: April 2021
Hello, I am concerned about the recent response to a question about survey confidentiality in Ask a Dean. While I appreciate the transparency in describing how the results will be collated, I found some details really concerning. I submitted my response to the biannual graduate student survey some time ago and provided written responses assuming…
Are the Doctoral Experience Survey results truly confidential? Will my advisor see the results? How will the results be used?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: April 2021
Dear Deans, I’m a Ph.D. student and have a few questions about the Doctoral Experience Survey before filling it out. How can the results be truly confidential? Will my advisor see the results of my response in any shape or form? How will the results be used? Sincerely, Interested in Data Use Dear Interested in…
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…
Is there a mailing list, website, or calendar where I can find out about upcoming talks?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Student Life Date: February 2021
Dear Deans, I have had the chance to hear some really cool speakers while here at Cornell. I wish, though, that it was easier to find out about interesting speakers outside my discipline. My undergrad had a monthly forum with outside speakers (Bryan Stevenson, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Hillary Clinton, Doris Kearns Goodwin…) and weekly forums with…
Does Cornell allow graduate students to accept contract or consulting work a few hours per week?
Category: Fellowships and Funding, Other/Miscellaneous Date: February 2021
Dear Deans, It’s my understanding that professors are able to contract out or do consulting work a certain number of hours a week. I know grad students at other schools who are also able to contract or consult a few hours a week. In the interest of getting some industry experience, is this something Cornell…
Why are we still being charged the semesterly Student Activity Fee?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Student Life Date: January 2021
Hi Deans, I’m wondering why we’re still being charged the semesterly Student Activity Fee when there’s been a noted lack of activities on campus this semester. Surely the cost of running virtual events and the moratorium on expensing food/refreshments for those student groups that do meet for allowed in-person events cannot compare to what it…
Will parking be enforced through tickets now that undergraduates are gone again?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Student Life Date: December 2020
Hi Deans: This year, before the undergrads came back, parking was not enforced through the issuance of tickets. This was helpful for grad students who have a long commute and who do not feel comfortable riding the buses. Now that undergrads are gone again, is there a plan to reimplement this policy until their return?…
I am on the verge of panic about the proposed immigration rule change. What is Cornell doing?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Political and Global Concerns Date: October 2020
Dear Deans, Hope you and yours have been able to stay safe in these difficult times. There were a couple of issues I wanted to raise on the proposed changes in the visa rules: Beyond the brief mention in the Graduate School newsletter and the email several days ago from International Services assuring us that…
Can committee meetings be in-person or should everything be remote?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: July 2020
Hello, What are the guidelines for committee meetings? Is there the option of in-person meetings or should everything be remote? -Planning ahead Response Dear planning ahead, The university’s campus use guidance is that if activities can be conducted remotely, you are encouraged to conduct them remotely. If there is a real need for an in-person…
If I see people working on campus without approvals, how can I report my concerns?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: May 2020
Hello deans, If I become aware that graduate students, postdocs, staff, and/or faculty are working on campus (e.g., in labs, studios, or offices) without appropriate university approvals prior to the approved, phased re-opening of campus, how can I report my concerns? Sincerely, Concerned Graduate Student Response Dear Concerned Graduate Student, To report behaviors that you…