Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I was just reading about Cornell's latest Rhodes Scholar. Very cool. I then decided to kill time on Wikipedia and see how many Rhodes Scholars Cornell has, and the Big Red didn't even make the list! I'm sure Cornell must be in the 30's...can you give me the exact number? Then I could go forth and edit the Wikipedia page to do Cornell justice.

Sincerely,

Little Rhodey

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Recently a friend purposed a challenge for me,
promising money if I was able to successfully shop lift merchandise from the cornell store. As a poor and quite foolish student I accepted. Unfortunately I was caught. I’m not to inform of procedure regarding this matter and was hoping you may help. I’m wondering what is the code of conduct for this issue? Is there an automatic punishment given to students or a minimum punishment? Will it appear on my academic records? Will it appear grad school application and job applications? What are the usual punishments handed down? I hold a few extra-curricular positions at Cornell and I know if discovered I would be released of my title(s) and/or job(s). As you may imagine this is very stressful time for me, I’m ashamed by my action and stupidity and pray this will all be resolved internally, between me and Mary Beth Grant (Judicial Administrator). External disclosure would destroy my reputation and my psychological state of mind. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Dear Student,

I encourage you to contact the Judicial Administrator's Office right away, 5-4680. If you call soon, they might be able to squeeze in an appointment before you leave. This way you won't have to worry about this situation during the long break . You are entitled to bring an advisor and should be honest if you decide to explain the situation. The JA's Office listens to students' accounts of what happened and uses guidelines to craft a sanction appropriate to an individual situation, while being consistent between cases.

I also encourage you to seek out support from CAPS, Let's Talk, an RA, RHD, or an advisor, etc -- some trusted person who can help you keep this in perspective.

You made a mistake. It sounds like you have learned from it. Now you can take care of it and move on. Please enjoy your break and come back with a new perspective and energy to start the new semester fresh and well rested.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
My question is about scheduling. I am an engineer and I am having trouble narrowing down the majors that I am interested in.

Ideally I would like to double major in Engineering Physics and Biological Engineering. I would also like to take a couple extra computer science classes and possibly an engineering entrepreneurship class. Unfortunately,
I don't think I have time to take enough classes to double major or take these extra classes.

What I would like to know first is whether or not it is common for people to double major in 4 years. It looks like there are about 16 core engineering classes (after removing overlap) and then 16 additional required courses for each major.

I am currently a freshman and I am taking 4 classes (plus 2 one credit classes) and I have no trouble whatsoever. I could easily take an extra couple of courses this semester, but I assume that 6 classes would be much more difficult as classes get harder.

Finally, I am considering doing the 5th year masters program and I just want to make sure that I don't have to alter my first four years to accomodate the masters program.

Thanks and I appreciate the help!

Dear Engineer,

For your complex question, I have a very simple answer. Visit the wonderful folks in the Engineering Academic Advising Office, 5-7414. They know the answers to all of your questions and they can work with you to develop a plan that will meet you needs and satisfy you academic goals.

I admire your motivation to get the most of your education here and your foresight to plan ahead.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Who is really the great genius answering all of our questions?

Thanks,
Slightly Curious

Dear Slightly Curious,

Ah, now that's a difficult question to answer. Uncle Ezra is the caring spirit of all the members of the Cornell community. Ezra has many expert helpers who answer questions in their field.

Uncle Ezra is also the memory of the great Ezra Cornell who founded Cornell University in April of 1865. This memory continues to live on in all of us as we share ideas and kindness with each other here on the hill.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
Any updates on your upcoming 200th birthday? I heard a celebration might be in the works when student get back after Winter break.

Dear Partier,

I've contacted the powers that be, but still haven't heard of any specific plans. But maybe it's a surprise party, in which case, I would be the last to know!

Uncle Ezra

dear uncle ezra,
i was wondering where i can go to get a US passport. Does the school have a place, or is there State office that can process me one somewhere in Ithaca? Thanks

Dear Traveler,

Sara Hilsman, the Assistant Director for Immigration Services at the ISSO was kind enough to help us out on this one. She says that you can get a passport at any U.S. Post Office (http://www.usps.com/passport/). The two in Ithaca are located at 757 Warren Road (near the Airport) and 213 N. Tioga Street (downtown).

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
what's the best advice to stop a friend who wants to elope to his marriage?

Dear Friend,

I don't think advice is what your friend needs. If you want to be helpful just listen to what he has to say, ask some open ended questions, and help him decide what is right for him. It might help for him to look at the pros and cons of a number of decisions in order to get a good look at the ramifications of each action.

Once he's made his decision, congratulate him and his future wife, and enjoy the continuation of a good friendship.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
How can I be the person in the Bear mascot suit?

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I am a sophomore majoring in AEM, and I am having time management problems. Despite the common belief that AEM is the easiest major in Cornell, I find my course work quite challenging. In addition to studying, I also take classes in a style of martial art, which I love immensely. My Master not only has taught me lessons in techniques, but also lessons in life. Those lessons have helped me to improve my personality and have strengthened me. I no longer panic when a crisis occurs, and I have slowly built up self-confidence. Unfortunately, I have been missing a lot of classes and have not practiced for a while because I have been too busy studying. Another reason why I missed the classes is because of career fairs or information sessions held by companies. I want to puruse a career in the finance industry, and hopefully I can get a summer internship in NYC. As a result, I had to spend a lot of time on my career search, networking, and on writing my resume. In addition to my academics, martial arts and career search, I also spend a lot of time working for a social/cultural club. The main reason why I wanted to hold a position in the club is that I wanted to expose myself to a team environment in which I learn how to corporate with other people and make friends. The social environment of this club will make me more mature. This position also gives me leadership experience, which looks good on my resume. On top of the above activities, I am also eager to attend christian fellowship meetings because I would really like to be more religious and thankful to God. On one hand, I really enjoy all my activities. But on the other hand, I have not been able to manage my time efficiently to do well in academics and in my extracurricular activities. Do you have any advice for me? Thanks a million Uncle Ezra.

Dear Student,

It sounds like you have numerous worthwhile interests and you have done an amazing job of finding ways to express many of them. Now the question is how to narrow them down to the most important for the present time.

In your lifetime there will be time to do all of the things that you have mentioned, but if you are noticing that some of the areas that you value, like academics, are being shortchanged, you will have to take a break from some of the other activities. Not forever, but for a while.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I was just wondering about the practices of drawing blood at Gannett for common blood tests like for example insulin, thyroid etc. Are new needles used for every patient? If not, are they sterilized? How are they sterilized? I have heard that university health centers are often more lax about such things than hospitals and would like to be told otherwise. Could you please find out from Gannett exactly what their practices are and get back to me?

Dear Wondering,

The kind folks at Gannett Health Center have the following answer for you.

"You can reassure him or her that at Gannett, all needles and syringes are sterile and single use items. They are NEVER reused. Gannett uses syringes with needles designed so that the needle is automatically retracted into the barrel after use which protects the health care worker, as well as the patient, from needle sticks and assures the syringe and needle can not be reused. OSHA regulations forbid second use of needles and health care organizations can face significant fines if found to be in violation.

"Gannett Health Service is accredited by an outside organization similar to hospitals. This voluntary review of all of our services and the care we provide has found us to be in compliance with all regulations. Gannett has had outstanding surveys by the accreditation organization, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, AAAHC.

"If this individual would like to observe the retractable, single use process for themselves and as a bonus, help protect themselves from the flu this year, they can attend one of the many flu clinics being offered around campus to get a flu shot. If they have questions about the needle use, they can talk to one of the nurses at the flu clinics. A list of flu clinics can be found at Gannett's website: wwwgannettcornelledu."

Uncle Ezra

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