Ask a Dean Category: Other/Miscellaneous
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…
Is Cornell preventing students from leaving Ithaca during the pandemic?
Category: Academics, Fellowships and Funding, Health and Wellness, Other/Miscellaneous Date: March 2020
Dear Deans: I am an international graduate student who would like to go to my home country for the spring and summer. I am able to continue my research remotely as I’m in the dissertation phase of my studies. I want to confirm that Cornell is not preventing students from leaving Ithaca, assuming that I…
Does Cornell have a recording studio where students can record interviews and audio?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: February 2020
Dear Deans, I can’t seem to find this information somewhere, but it must exist! Does Cornell University have a recording studio where students can go and record interviews or other audio? Sincerely, Perplexed Response Dear Perplexed, Thanks very much for your Ask a Dean question. I consulted with Glen Palmer, the director of Cornell Broadcast…