This Spring Break, my last as a Cornell undergrad, was simply too brief. And now I have no choice — Graduation Day is staring me implacably in the eye. In a few short weeks — I already wish it were longer — I will bid our dear Ithacan icebox a fond farewell.

In keeping with my pensive mood, a swarm of “what ifs” presses incessantly on my mind. What if I had joined a different circle of friends? What if I had chosen a different major? What if I had stayed true to my high school vow to never get overcommitted in college (… and look how well that turned out …). After all, over the course of one’s college career, who wouldn’t wish one could change a decision or two or three?

“If we are to continue to lead, we must continue to seek and nurture exceptional talent without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or other characteristics that too often divide us.”

—“An Update on Gender Equality,” President Skorton, The Sun, March 9

I doubt President Skorton’s reaffirmation of meritocracy came as a surprise to anyone. Indeed, such is expected from the president of a major academic institution. Puzzling, however, are his further comments on the state of the University.

Tasked with unprecedented demand and no new beds, Cornell Housing (CH) faces great challenges in the coming years to place all students who so desire into on-campus housing.

And that is exactly how this article would start if it were a news item. However, this is my space, so I would like to give my angry opinion on the matter.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and that means three things at Cornell: green vomit, pretending to have an Irish ancestor and Dragon Day. That’s right — Dragon Day is this Friday, March 13.

Last Wednesday, our esteemed alumna Ann Coulter ’84 posted an article on her website blasting her co-alumnus Keith Olbermann ’79. This, the latest in her many irrational tirades, was in response to Olbermann calling out Rush Limbaugh for a mistake Limbaugh made during a speech at the CPAC conference two weekends ago (confusing the Declaration of Independence with the Constitution).

In the course of trying to take down Olbermann, however, she inexplicably set out to destroy the reputation of six of the seven undergraduate schools and colleges at Cornell. Thankfully, the ridiculousness of her claims seems to have made this attempt unsuccessful.

I have a confession to make — I am an apostate. I don’t believe in having a bear as Cornell’s mascot. Sorry my dear Touchdown, it is time to bid thee adieu. I know it sounds rather odd and downright un-Cornellian, especially coming from a confirmed traditionalist like me, but let me explain.

Two years ago President Skorton signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging Cornell to develop a plan by September 2009 in order to bring its net greenhouse gas (GHG) output down to zero. As part of this commitment, universities recognize that the act of emitting carbon dioxide or other GHG’s will place a cost on the institution, society and the planet.

As I suspect is true for countless other alumni, Cornell had a profound — indeed, lifelong — impact upon me. Those of my tumultuous era (Class of ’68) could not avoid the influence of great thinkers (Walter Berns and Allan Bloom quickly come to mind) who instilled a belief that the university represented (or should represent) the highest level of intellectual honesty; advancing the public good, we were reminded, was among the most noble of personal and professional pursuits.

Indeed, in his 2008 commencement address, President Skorton reaffirmed that those virtues remain at the core of the University’s soul, urging graduates to honor the social responsibilities which hopefully were nurtured at Cornell.

Starting this summer, Cornell and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in India will offer a dual-degree program in food science and plant breeding. Relocated to Coimbatore in 1906, TNAU is a leading provider of agricultural technology in India with colleges studying agriculture, agricultural engineering and horticulture. This program will be the first agricultural life science degrees offered by any U.S. university specifically to students in India.

15 Indian students have been accepted to each of the two-year degree programs in food science and plant breeding. Studying seven months in Ithaca and five in India, students will work towards degrees including a Master of Professional Studies degree from Cornell and a Master of Technology degree from TNAU.

As campuses across the United States reopen after winter breaks, the recent Gaza conflict has been on many people’s minds. This is particularly true at Cornell, which has substantial and activist communities of Jewish and Islamic faiths. Many of us here feel the anguish of the situation in the Middle East.

Some students, faculty and staff have requested that I take some sort of action, or make a public statement in Cornell’s name. These communications have caused me to think again about the role of universities — and university presidents — in events outside our campus but not outside of our hearts and minds.