News

This Week in History

Apr 11, 2007

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On April 5, 1967, tragedy struck the Cornell community in the early hours of the morning as flames and smoke traveled through a dormitory building called the Cornell Heights Residential Club. Of the 71 persons housed in the building, the tragedy left nine dead and six persons injured. Eight of the nine were students — six females, and two males. The male victims were freshmen, students in the Six-year Ph.D. program. The women were seniors and graduate students. The last of the nine was Prof. John Finch, English. The casualties were attributed to smoke. The Sun reported the fire as, “the greatest fire tragedy in Ithaca history.” Over 100 firemen battled the blaze.

Duke U. May Sue T.I. Over Recent Concert Controversy

Sun Staff  —  Apr 11, 2007

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News Brief

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Slope Day headliner T.I. has been at the center of controversy this week, facing “possible legal action by the Duke University Union,” according to The Duke Chronicle.

The Chronicle reported that Duke University Union, which organizes activities on campus, had a contract with T.I. to play for at least 60 minutes at Duke’s Cameron Rocks! concert. The rapper reportedly only played for 40 minutes.

GRE Changes Cancelled

Alex Berg  —  Apr 11, 2007

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The Educational Testing Service recently canceled plans to change the Graduate Record Examinations after concluding that the new exam format did not provide guaranteed access for all students. The new test would have been launched in September; however, the current exam will continue to be administered until further notice.

Sudan Refugee Shares His Sorrow

Tim Fasano  —  Apr 11, 2007

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Benjamin Ajak, a refugee from Sudan, describes his psat experiences in Sudan and current life in California.A trying past.: Benjamin Ajak, a refugee from Sudan, describes his psat experiences in Sudan and current life in California.Despite the trauma of his life’s experiences, Benjamin Ajak is comforted by the hope that his speaking out will help heal his tumultuous homeland.

C.U. Grad School Rankings Rise

Christine Ryu  —  Apr 11, 2007

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U.S. News and World Report, purveyor of all things rankings related, has recently issued its yearly rankings of graduate schools across the nation. This year’s surprise, however, lies not in Cornell’s consistently strong showing, but in the ranking system itself as it is becoming obsolete.

Trustee Candidates Face Off

Lauren Hirsch  —  Apr 10, 2007

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Forum displays candidates' initiatives for future changes

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Last night, the student trustee candidates met in Warren Hall in a forum co-sponsored by The Sun. During the forum, Sun Managing Editor Rebecca Shoval ’08 asked the candidates three questions, which they were given one minute to respond to. The candidates answered each question in a random order.

'First Lady of the Press' Characterizes Past Presidents

Carolyn Byrne  —  Apr 10, 2007

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Helen Thomas, tough-talking journalist and one of the first female members of the White House Press Corps, spoke to a packed Statler Auditorium last night at a lecture organized by the Cornell Political Coalition.

Police Report

Apr 10, 2007

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Burglary

On April 8, an officer was dispatched to 600 University Ave. at 1 p.m. to take a report from an individual regarding the theft of items including one Hewlett Packard ZT3000 laptop computer, a Sony DVD player, Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox Apple iPod with case, Xbox game, two Playstation games and cash. The stolen items were valued together at approximately $2,800.

S.A. Chooses New Officers

Liz Sheldon  —  Apr 10, 2007

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Last spring, the Student Assembly spent nine hours choosing the current executive board; last night, next year's S.A. representatives shortened that process to about three-and-a-half hours.

Spring S.A. elections have spots for 19 representatives, but the 2007-2008 S.A. currently has 18 representatives-elect. There is no representative for the College of Human Ecology for next year. To be elected to the executive board, candidates must receive at least 12 votes.

University Celebrates The Persian New Year

Cassie Robertson  —  Apr 10, 2007

Norouz, the Persian New Year, was celebrated by students and staff last Sunday with traditional music, dancing and desserts. Coinciding with the spring equinox, Norouz symbolizes not only the new year but also rebirth and new beginnings. It is celebrated by people throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, including those in Iran, Afghanistan, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

City News

Apr 9, 2007

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Local Company Awarded for Top Business Idea

E2e Materials, a local company that uses soy protein and natural fibers to make high-durability biodegradable composite materials, was awarded a $100,000 prize for winning EssentialConnections.org’s Emerging Business Competition. E2e was among five finalists in the competition, and its product represents the top emerging business idea in Upstate New York. The company uses its product to create office furniture for Herman Miller Inc. of Michigan and skateboards for Comet Skateboards of San Francisco.

Sikh Community Brings in New Year

Rachel Ensign  —  Apr 9, 2007

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On Saturday, more than 75 people gathered together in Barton hall to celebrate the Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi with a moon bounce, a D.J. and samosas, a popular South Asian pastry.

The event was run by the Cornell United Sikh Students Association. Sikhism is the fifth largest organized religion in the world with 23 million adherents worldwide. The religion originated in northern India in the sixteenth century and its members are known for their uncut hair and distinctive turbans.

C.U. Admissions Rate Drops by 4.2 Percent

Ben Eisen  —  Apr 9, 2007

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Naomi Forman, a high school senior from Newton, Mass., was ecstatic when she received her acceptance letter to Cornell. With the University’s acceptance rate hitting an all time low of 20.5 percent, such letters are harder to come by.

Cornell Celebrates End of Holy Week

Mary Cirella  —  Apr 9, 2007

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Yesterday’s celebration of Easter marked the end of the most sacred week of the year for the Roman Catholic Church. Beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding with Easter, Holy Week is the commemoration of the believed death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Candidates Flood Ballot for Student Trustee Elections

Ming Dang  —  Apr 9, 2007

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On Friday, 13 undergraduate candidates kicked-off their campaigns for one of the most influential positions open to Cornell students — the position of student trustee on the Cornell University Board of Trustees. Compared to the four candidates who ran last year, this year’s selection is significantly more diverse, with candidates from every class, including three freshmen.

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