Ask a Dean Category: Other/Miscellaneous
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…
What resources are available to help student-partners find employment?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: December 2019
Hi Grad School Deans, I am about halfway through my Ph.D. and my partner recently moved across the country to be with me. He has been here for four months and has not been able to find a job. I have tried to leverage any personal connections I have here at Cornell to help him…
How can we assure ourselves a parking place on campus?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Student Life Date: November 2019
Dear Deans, My fellow graduate students and some staff in our labs pay over $750 a year for access to the parking lots labeled ‘SC’ (the only permit available to us). This academic year, the parking situation has been absolutely untenable; arriving after ~9:30am (or leaving and coming back) makes it impossible to find a…
Can the Graduate School help address the need for more late-night buses downtown?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous, Student Life Date: October 2019
Dear Dean, I am a first year Ph.D. student. I was also a Cornell undergrad. It is my first time living in the downtown area in Ithaca, but I know that there used to be bus services that run late during weekdays, until 1 AM or so, if I remember correctly. As the time goes…
How can I speak out about issues that are important to me without jeopardizing my career?
Category: Other/Miscellaneous Date: May 2019
Hello, I’m a PhD student and a member of my field’s national professional organization. My hope is to find an academic job and be a part of this organization for the duration of my career. Our annual conference this summer (at which I will present) is set to be held in the state of Georgia.…