Cornell

Cornell Political Union Holds Debate on Guantanamo Bay

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Following a debate and student discussion, the Cornell Political Union voted 18-12-2 that Guantanamo Bay should be closed. The debate, attended by dozens of students, is the recently established political union’s third debate this semester. The debate began with an introduction on the topic by guest speaker Prof. Joe Margulies, law and government, where he presented arguments for and against the closing of Guantanamo Bay as an academic exercise. According to Margulies, he was asked to take a stance for the debate, and his statements did not represent his own views. “Think about what the arguments might be in favor of closing the base,” Margulies said.

City

Ithaca Holds First Black Lives Matter Event

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Around 300 people of all ages and races, from Ithaca College to Cornell to the general community, marched in the Black Lives Matter event Saturday, showing solidarity in Ithaca’s first official event for the cause. The event — hosted by a group of community members, students and faculty from nearby schools — began with a march from the Ithaca Commons to Beverly J. Martin Elementary School for a teach-in. Marchers held signs bearing slogans such as “standing on the side of love.” Some activists also wore shirts with phrases such as “I can’t breathe,” referring to the death of Eric Garner, black man who was killed when a police officer placed him in a chokehold in July 2014. The marchers alternated chants, shouting “no justice, no peace, no racist police” and “hands up, don’t shoot” along with the movement’s namesake phrase. The march concluded with a rally outside the elementary school, where activists sang “We Shall Overcome.” Community members gathered inside to hear from several speakers on a variety of topics ranging from understanding the Black Lives Matter movement, racism in the Ithaca area and the empowerment of youth in the area.

Ag Quad

Ag Quad Renovations to Cost $9.6 Million

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A $9.6 million plan to renovate the infrastructure and landscaping of the Ag Quad will begin the summer of 2016 and is slated to be completed ahead of the 2017-18 academic year. The project will be completed in two phases, with the first phase focused on the infrastructure of the quad and the second phase focused on the landscaping, according to David Cutter, the University’s Landscape Architect. The renovation of the infrastructure, which will begin next summer, will dig up walkways around the quad in order to replace several underground utility corridors, Cutter said. In addition to a new working underground, the renovation plans include the installation of new lighting, additional blue lights for security, a rain garden and social working spaces for students, Cutter added. In particular, the social working spaces, which will be small plazas in front of Mann Library and Roberts Hall, will have benches and tables for students to use, Cutter said.

News

New Service Aims to Streamline Off-Campus Housing Search

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Rent College Pads, a new service that works with students and landlords around college campuses to facilitate off campus housing searches,  launched at Cornell Sept. 9. Though only launched this month at Cornell, Rent College Pads already has 2,000 Cornell students registered to their website, which concentrates listings and subleases for college students. Cornell students currently have access to listings for over 100 different properties, according to Jeremy Schmidt, director of marketing for Rent College Pads. Cornell students have long faced problems with off campus housing.