Editorial

Berry Patch: The Bangalore Daily Sun

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

“If an online newspaper in Pasadena, Calif., can outsource coverage to India, I wonder how long can it be before some guy in Bangalore is writing my column about President Obama.”

— Maureen Dowd, “A Penny for My Thoughts?” The New York Times, Nov. 30.

Bridging the Divide

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

President Skorton’s recent visit to Iran was an excellent way to start a conversation.

Designed to introduce North American university presidents to Iranian academics, Skorton’s trip, along with a delegation from the Association of American Universities, highlighted that academic censorship still exists within the international community. Such censorship is bad for Iran, but it is also unfortunate for countries like our own, which benefit from academic partnerships with innovative and progressive institutions around the world.

A Close Reading

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Last week, Professor and former University President Hunter Rawlings gave his hypothetical “Last Lecture” to a packed auditorium.

He began his talk by setting the historical stage:

It’s 1968 and the Vietnam War is raging. Rawlings is a graduate student of classical philosophy at Princeton. And his disillusionment is palpable. “I had a very hard time,” Rawlings said, “seeing what my studies had to do with what I was seeing every day around me.”

Fighting AIDS

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The perpetuation of several comprehensive drug programs in Tompkins County is an encouraging step in the right direction.

The Southern Tier AIDS Program’s syringe exchange program is one of the many services that assists the Ithaca area in dealing with the economic, social and health issues related to drug use. In allowing the State Health Department to establish syringe exchange programs, New York State has taken a firm and admirable stance on combating the AIDS epidemic.

Appointment Season

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

With Hillary Clinton slated to step into her post as Secretary of State, the Senate will gain a new member who can be an important advocate for New York.

Gov. David Paterson faces several challenges in selecting someone to fill the impending vacancy in the Senate. As the economy continues to falter, Paterson must choose a candidate who is familiar with our state budget and who can reconcile necessary public spending with appropriate fiscal restraint. New York needs a senator capable of speaking on behalf of New York’s economic needs. Especially important to Cornell will be ensuring the livelihood of the agricultural economy in Upstate New York and its continued partnership with Cornell’s contract colleges.

Heroes and Villains: Greeks: Socialists?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s a cold, dark night here at H&V, where papers are made and dreams are broken. We feel pretty fratty this week, what with all the conversation about Greek life and drinking and brotherhood and sisterhood. We’d like to think we’ve formed a brotherhood of sorts down in our cave at H&V: We spend lots of time with each other, we help each other with homework and we argue about who gets the best chair at dinner. It’s a happy family.

Weekend Getaway?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:03:19 -0500

Last Thursday, Ithaca was featured as a “haven” in the Great Homes and Destinations section of The New York Times.

While the publicity is certainly a boon for a small town that can use all the economic influx it can get, the portrayal of Ithaca as a resort town for wealthy second-home owners is troubling.

Many visitors (and students) struggle to understand why Ithacans sometimes resent the presence of outsiders. After all, tourists are the ones who keep much of this town employed and worthy of New York Times write-ups. But what they don’t see is the disconnect between Ithaca as a tourist attraction and Ithaca as a community.

A Step in the Wrong Direction

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Last weekend, nearly 200 people from across the Ithaca community protested California’s passage of a ban on gay marriage.

In the wake of Barack Obama’s historic election as president on a platform of change, a segment of this country’s population remains targeted, attacked and marginalized by the law. The vote in favor of Proposition 8 in California represents a reversion to the past and a change this country does not need — and cannot afford.

California’s new law effectively strips same-sex couples of what had been a fundamental right. Along with thousands of other gay Americans, gay Californians have been divested of their equality under the law.

Loosening the Purse Strings

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:58:18 -0500

Times are tough, but Cornell is staying its course.

Last week, the University detailed plans for a new financial aid initiative. The project, which commits Cornell to spending $138.9 million on undergraduate financial aid over the next academic year, aims to help “Cornell’s neediest students” graduate debt-free. Following in the footsteps of our more financially-endowed peer institutions, the school will eliminate the expectation of parental contribution from families with annual incomes below $60,000. Additionally, Cornell will place a $7,500 annual cap on need-based student loans for students with financial need from families with annual incomes above $120,000.

The Cost of Cuts

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The economic turmoil on Wall Street has left New York State’s budget in limbo. In the latest special session, Governor Paterson proposed over $2 billion in additional cuts. While we understand the need for budget cuts, this latest round goes beyond trimming excess and into the territory of straining the well-being of New Yorkers. Like Cornell, New York State must focus on the long term and not react quickly and capriciously to a crisis.

The governor’s proposals call for a cut in public school aid by $585 million, a reduction in health care spending by $572 million and a rise in the tuition of SUNY students by $600 a year. These proposals are in addition to the cuts the governor made earlier this year. Locally, the consequences have been far-reaching and tragic.

ΔΑΙΛΨ ΣΥΝ

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s a dark, VILLIANOUS, humid night in the Commons. But perched in our ivy-coated brick fortress, The Sun editors are having a typical (read: debauched) Thursday night behind their computer monitors, red pens and broken printers. And yes, we’re playing beer pong. And yes, you guessed it, we started a frat (Sigma Upsilon Nu). After all, who wouldn’t after this week, the frattiest of the year at Cornell by far. Both Panhel and IFC HEROICALLY elected their new exec boards, and we’re psyched to start a new era right along with the rest of the VILLIANOUSLY rush-crazed (dry or wet, we don’t care) Greek community. P.S., sorry if we messed up your scrap book — we feel your pain — we at Sigma Upsilon Nu scrapbook too, let’s compare at tea time?

Hooray for Bollywood

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s about time the world’s largest democracy got some attention around these parts.

Last month’s $50 million gift from a philanthropic fund largely controlled by mega-industrialist Ratan Tata ’62 will go a long way towards strengthening Cornell’s academic and human ties with India, and the half of the gift allocated to endow scholarships for Indians in need will do much to increase the economic diversity of the international student body. “Any person ... any study,” indeed.

It’s true that Cornell has been involved with India on issues like health and agriculture for more than 50 years. Last year, President David Skorton even visited. But of late, Old Uncle Ezra’s wandering eye has more often explored his infatuation with the world’s largest unfree state, China.

Renter's Market

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The City of Ithaca has long recognized its responsibility to address and improve the quality of rental housing in the community. Recently, though, the City has dropped the ball.

Under the leadership of the Ithaca Common Council, the Rental Housing Advisory Commission has been inactive for months. Charged with advising the Council on rental housing, the RHAC has in the past been responsible for important policy recommendations to improve the quality of rental life as well as the relationships between Ithaca tenants and their landlords.

Rushing While Intoxicated

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Freshmen beware: Cornell fraternities may soon be going the way of temperance.

Recent talks within the Interfraternity Council have focused on the role of drinking in fraternity recruitment. Some have argued that alcohol factors importantly in the recruitment process. Others have pointed out that high-volume drinking, and in this case, underage drinking, is both dangerous and against the law.

The best argument in favor of a “wet rush” is much akin to the argument for legalized prostitution: People are going to do it anyway, so in the interests of safety, we may as well keep it regulated.

The problem with this argument is that young would-be fraternity boys are not prostitutes. Their families are not starving and they don’t need to drink to put food on the table.

Skorton the Builder

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:32:27 -0500

Cornell’s current 90-day construction freeze provides some observable evidence of the University’s deepening fiscal troubles.

In his recent e-mail to the Cornell community, President Skorton wrote that construction projects in their early phases will be put on hold. Over the next three months, the University will reassess the financial viability of those projects and reprioritize in the face of state budget cuts. Additionally, outside of pre-existing construction, all plans without contracts or finalized design plans will be postponed.

Heroes & Villains: Beer Me an Election

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Something happened this week. We know because of all the screaming. The drunk/crazy/happy people were out in full force Tuesday night to celebrate the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Good times, we say, and good luck to the heir of a country in shambles. Maybe you should ask for a higher salary.

Howie Who?

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

We all know that at times, Cornell hates fun. It gives us prelims after fall break, makes papers due on holidays, and forces us to buy unassigned books, simply because they have forwards written by Professor _____ of the ____ Department at Cornell University. It denies us Pabst coolers at football games, Barton’s at frat parties, and the solemn, patriotic joy of sleeping off a hangover on a class-free Presidents’ Day.

We bitch, moan, and monologue our own personal kvetches in the lines at Terrace. So many of us chose Ithaca over Boston, New York, and Chicago because we wanted to have a social life on campus, in part provided by our smaller campus setting. And Cornell seems to have let us down.

King of the Hill

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Former Provost Biddy Martin left big shoes to fill with her departure from the University over the summer. And in light of the recent economic crisis, whoever fills those shoes will have to trudge through some seriously thick mire. We’re confident Kent Fuchs is the right man for the job.

In the midst of an economic recession, incoming Provost Fuchs will take on added responsibilities to ensure the University runs smoothly. Fuchs has shown a clear commitment to reevaluating the University’s budget and has, in very broad strokes, stressed the significance of creating and reaching goals.

A Vote for Unity

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

America has been energized by a phenomenon. His name is Barack Obama.

That Americans from Ithaca to Washington took to the streets last night in celebration of a presidential election is a testament to the transformative and unifying capacity of the president-elect. In a time of severe economic recession, Obama’s victory has given people hope for a better tomorrow.

Strapped for Cash

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The looming recession has changed how business operates in this country. Over the past three months, we’ve seen the five biggest investment banking houses either disappear or change themselves completely. It was just a matter of time before shifts in the market would affect higher education, especially institutions with sizeable endowments like Cornell.

Last week, President Skorton addressed the University’s response plan for the economic downturn. Not only has Cornell had to deal with losses in the stock market, but the school also faces budget cuts from New York State. This dual loss in revenue means that Cornell cannot maintain business as usual.