Prof. Stroock, chemical and biomolecular engineering, replicates the behavior of plants in his laboratory, where he studies the fundamental properties of water under negative pressure.

What happens to Cornell’s dirty water once it goes down the drain? Currently, two percent of the United States’ electricity consumption goes toward treating that wastewater. Prof. Lars Angenent, biological and environmental engineering, and his peers work to reduce electrical consumption by applying bioelectrochemical systems to the wastewater treatment process.

During the 1980s, Prof. Monroe Weber-Shirk, civil and environmental engineering, volunteered in Latin American refugee camps. At the time, he was convinced that he would devote the rest of his life to development work in Latin America, but his plans were thwarted by a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease and his return to the U.S. for treatment. While pursuing a Ph.D. at Cornell, he placed his aspirations of improving the quality of life in Latin America on the back burner. A few years ago, he received a serendipitous phone call that put into motion an engineering project that would make his decades-long dream come true.

Nearing the end of a 10-year long process, Ithaca Common Council last night came one step closer to making a final decision about the future of the city’s drinking water source.

This week we’ve found ourselves in some seriously sticky situations — and, no, we’re not just talking about all the peanut butter that has gone bad. We’re talking about water and Wikipedia both making headlines as students across the spectrum were outspoken about a number of issues, from sustainability to Gaza, making claims both HEROICALLY awesome and VILLAINOUSLY shoddy in substance.

To the Editor:

Re: “Cornell Lacks Plan to Ban Bottled Water,” News, Feb. 16

Having graduated last year, I try from time to time to check what’s going on at Cornell. I was pleasantly surprised to see a mention of the elimination of bottled water at Wash U., where I just started law school. I’m glad to see that the idea is, if nothing else, creating discussion elsewhere. I’m not really a big environment person, but the amount of plastic we go through is a little ridiculous.

When I first heard about the policy change, I was a little annoyed, but it really hasn’t been that big of a deal. Assuming I remember, I bring a bottle with me and fill it up at the fountain. And if you forget, you can get a cup for a quarter.