Given the current anxiety surrounding anthrax in the mail, it is no wonder many high school seniors have reportedly turned to using alternative methods to deliver their college applications in order to avoid anthrax-laden post offices.
According to Doris Davis, associate provost for admissions and enrollment, Cornell applicants should not be overly concerned about a slow down in mail service due to anthrax scares.
“Our mail has gotten heavier recently due to the early decision deadline,” Davis said, “but we have not noticed a slow down or been affected in anyway.”
Davis noted, however, that the admissions office has undertaken new measures in handling the mail that they receive.
“We are taking the precautions that the United States Postal Service has recommended,” Davis noted. “Cornell Mail Service has also been wonderful and given several sessions on opening mail. The University has been very supportive with all this.”
Linda Grace-Kobas, director of Cornell News Service, echoed Davis’s sentiments that the University’s mail flow has remained relatively stable.
“Once mail has gotten to Ithaca and onto the Cornell campus, we are not aware of any delays,” said Grace-Kobas, adding, “There may be problems with mail service in other areas, however, outside of Ithaca. But we haven’t noted any here.”
Should a situation arise where applications were delayed due to problems within the mail system, Henrik Dullea ’61, vice president for University relations, indicated that the University would make arrangements under these extreme circumstances.
“We are dealing with these types of issues on a case by case basis,” Dullea said. “If anyone believes that their application has been slowed down, we are prepared to deal with that. We are going to be very understanding about this.”
Dullea also explained that due to the events of Sept. 11 Cornell is more lenient in terms of application deadlines in some cases.
“We have given automatic extensions to two high schools in New York City, Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech,” said Dullea, “Stuyvesant was right down near the World Trade Centers and had to relocate to Brooklyn Tech. We felt that due to the enormous amount of confusion it would be difficult for the students to get their applications in on time.”
Archived article by Leigh McMullan