Ask a Dean Category: Student Life
Why are graduate students not extended the privilege of unlimited TCAT bus rides?
Category: Student Life Date: June 2021
Dear Deans, It has recently come to my attention that all Cornell employees and retirees have unlimited riding privileges on all TCAT buses in Tompkins County. We have a new postdoc transitioning into the lab, and my lab manager informed them that bussing to campus would not be a huge issue since the bus fare is…
Will Cornell be easing its restrictions on graduate student personal travel?
Category: Health and Wellness, Policies and Requirements, Student Life Date: April 2021
Dear Deans, Given the recent announcements from both NY and the CDC that fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to quarantine when traveling, will Cornell be easing its restrictions on graduate student personal travel (at least for those individuals that are vaccinated) within the days to come? Recent evidence suggests that the real world performance…
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…
Is there a reason some physical education classes are restricted to undergraduates?
Category: Health and Wellness, Student Life Date: February 2021
Dear Deans, I’m a grad student here interested in taking archery, but it’s restricted to undergraduates only. Is there a reason for that? Is it due to COVID or is it always the case? And is there a possibility that could be changed? Thanks, Prospective Archer Response Dear Prospective Archer, Thank you for asking about…
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?…
Can international students travel abroad over winter break and are there specific disadvantages to doing so?
Category: Health and Wellness, Political and Global Concerns, Student Life Date: September 2020
Hello Deans, I’m writing an email to ask some questions about international students’ travel after Thanksgiving. Can international students with F1 visas travel abroad from the end of November (when school goes online) until the end of the winter break? I understand that it’s strongly discouraged, but I want to clearly ask if it’s legally…
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…
Could you please clarify what is and is not allowed under the Behavioral Compact?
Category: Health and Wellness, Student Life Date: August 2020
Dear Deans: I would greatly appreciate it if you could please clarify what is allowed/not allowed under the Behavioral Compact. Situation 1. Suppose I go out to eat downtown with two of my Cornell best friends. Suppose we wear masks until we are seated and maintain six feet distance from other people but not from…
Can you consider posting the following mental health resource?
Category: Health and Wellness, Student Life Date: March 2020
Dear Grad School Deans, The following might be a useful service if someone is feeling stressed/lonely. You could consider including it in the weekly announcements. Good alternate resource if people can’t get an appointment with Cornell Counseling. I used it yesterday and it was helpful. (There are enough disclaimers before the start of the call…