It Matters Not, But...

Is College Worth $200,000?

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

For that matter, (the better question for all of us) is Cornell worth $200,000? Now, I’m no Wall Street economist, but $200k is a lot of dough for parents to be throwing around. As I understand it, the actual cost (when interest and lost income is accounted for) is actually a great deal higher. Remember, even if you are on scholarship or financial aid, someone is still paying for you to go to college somehow.

As a knee jerk reaction I am pretty sure that nearly everyone answered my query with a “Yes, of course! Cornell is an Ivy after all. Don’t ask me a stupid question!” Fair enough.

Kicking the Addiction

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

As college students, we are experts at procrastination. It’s an art form, really. Even as you read this sentence, you will inevitably stop to send a few texts and maybe even make a couple phone calls. God forbid you have a BlackBerry. When it comes to using “BlackBerry Messenger” (BBMing, for those not in the know), the ability to distract oneself (and in the process ignore the people actually talking to you in person) can reach new heights.

But I don’t mind. In this case, your texting is probably more indicative of the low quality of my writing than it is of your tendency to procrastinate.

Alright Dudes! You just went on Spring Break!

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome back from Spring Break, I hope you had a good one. Frankly, I think it’s unbelievable that we do not get Monday off too. It’s just the height of inconvenience and inconsideration for students and professors alike—and even the administration—to have to leave their families on Easter Sunday to attend school. Give us Monday off. That’s an easy and sensible change that will go a long way toward making everyone happy.

Par-tay! Wolfe leaves Olin Libe for a trip around the Cornell scene.

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Contrary to popular belief and conventional wisdom, I do not spend all of my time in Olin library working on some ungodly long senior thesis. Rather, on the occasional evening, like all of you, I have actually gone to social events.

Let The University Assembly Do Its Job

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Back on Sept. 27, in what feels like several lifetimes ago, I penned a column for the Sun entitled “The Campus Code: Double Whammy!” concerning the newly proposed Campus Code of Conduct. At the time, I felt (and still do) that many of the provisions in the Code were loosely worded, had disingenuous motives, and did not provide adequate protections to the accused.

Too Juicy for Campus

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Juicy Campus phenomenon is spreading like wildfire among the Cornell community, thanks in no small part to a news article dated Jan. 28 by the Sun’s very own Cara Sprunk ’10. According to Sprunk, “Juicycampus.com, a college campus gossip blog, launched a site for Cornell this semester, giving the Cornell community an anonymous outlet for discussing University social life and more. On Juicy Campus, anyone can anonymously post Cornell ‘news.’ People can then comment back on the information anonymously. The site boasts that it is not possible for anyone to know who posts or where he or she is posting from.” In addition, there is no registration process — anyone may post and anyone may read the posts.

IFC: A Gentlemen's Club

Gregory Wolfe — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

When I became a Sun columnist last semester, I vowed that I would never write about fraternities and sororities. As a member of the Greek cabal, I might not be entirely objective and, well, that makes me uncomfortable. To people who have no interest in the subject, I apologize.

As I understand it, the Interfraternity Council regulates the behavior of the recruitment practices of the fraternities on campus during Rush Week, with a special focus on hard alcohol and drugs. This is necessary, both to accommodate the University and to ensure the safety of the rushees. No one wants kids going to the hospital. The IFC, as it should, takes safety very seriously.

My Wish List to Santa

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:09 -0500

Well, as you must know by now, this is the last issue of The Sun for 2007 and brings my rookie season as a columnist to a close. Do not worry, loyal readers, my contract has been renewed so there will be much more in 2008. And to the detractors and the haters who fill my inbox with nasty e-mails about how stupid I am, boo-ya!

In retrospect, I noticed one common theme in my columns throughout the year: I always complain about something. Yep, from Cornell’s treatment of the club water polo team to the Campus Code, I’ve had a kvetch every week.

The Greatest Irony

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

On Oct. 30, my colleague at The Sun, Bill McMorris ’08, wrote the column “For God and Country No More,” in which he accuses atheists of using judicial activism to undermine religion in America. According to McMorris, “What is shocking about these events is the way in which the government is giving into the demands of these attention hungry heathens.” In response, The Sun has published two letters attacking his position. There are also five comments online slamming McMorris. Surely, McMorris’ hyperbolic language has something to do with the acrid response from the Cornell community to his article (though I suppose, because they do not believe in God, atheists are technically “heathens”).

Hardly Elite

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Quick, what event has Hungary won the Gold in back-to-back Olympics? As if that was not an obvious enough hint, I’ll give you another clue: Serbia won the silver, and Russia the bronze in 2004. OK, while you’re thinking, I’ll give you some of my estimations about you, my faithful readers: 95 percent of you don’t know that this sport even has a team at Cornell. 30 percent of you have heard of the game, but don’t have any clue how it’s played. And 20 percent of you have probably never even heard of the sport. Done thinking? What is …Water Polo? See, I told you it was obvious …

Generation Quiet? My Respectful Dissent

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

In an Oct. 10 article in the New York Times, columnist Thomas L. Friedman calls our generation “Generation Q.” Q means Quiet. Friedman is “impressed because [students] are so much more optimistic and idealistic than they should be.” But he is “baffled because [students] are so much less radical and politically engaged than they need to be.” He goes on to laud us for doing quiet but meaningful activities, such as joining ROTC, volunteering in AIDS clinics and working for organizations like Teach for America in record numbers. However, Friedman also criticizes Generation Q for its passivity and unwillingness to become a political force, while in my opinion, suggesting that our generation should take after the student movements of the 60’s and 70’s.

The Campus Code: Double Whammy!

Gregory Wolfe — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Cornell, for an institution that has to manage nearly 20,000 students, does a remarkable job in a lot of areas. The education is first rate (as if I had to tell you that). The food, exquisite. And the campus always looks great. Yes, the Cornell decision-makers deserve many laudatory praises.