Recent Contributions from Willimina Bromer

Foote, Pioneer Animal Science Researcher, Dies

Willimina Bromer — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

When Robert Foote joined the 442nd regimental combat team in early 1944, he planned to return to work on his family’s farm in Connecticut after the war. But the explosion of a German mortar shell left him badly injured and forced him to reevaluate his plans. After recovering, Foote eventually made his way to Cornell, where he would earn his doctorate and eventually conduct groundbreaking research in animal reproduction. Last Monday, Foote passed away from lung failure in Ithaca. He was 86.

Foote, a professor emeritus in animal science, first became an assistant professor in 1950. Prior to enlisting in the army, Foote attended the University of Connecticut and graduated with a degree in animal husbandry.

Skorton Responds to Budget Cuts

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

President David Skorton outlined several measures the University will take to combat state budget cuts and revenue losses resulting from the Wall Street crisis in a e-mail sent to the Cornell community yesterday. Though the long-term effects of the current state of the economy will not be known for several years, actions will be taken immediately in anticipation of further cuts and continued losses.

“While we cannot be certain about the dimensions, depth and duration of the difficulty, we are confident Cornell is in a good position to adjust operations and budget to address a loss in revenue in the wake of the financial crisis, relying on the institutional expertise and commitment of faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends,” Skorton stated.

Skorton Prepares to Begin Search for Martin's Successor

Willimina Bromer — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:27:00 -0400

Following yesterday’s announcement that University Provost Carolyn “Biddy” Martin has accepted the position of University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor, the University is in the most preliminary stages of searching for Martin’s successor. Martin will continue to serve as provost during the summer.

Wrapping It Up

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:51:13 -0400

Classes are over, Slope Day was sloppy and publication may be on leave for the next three months, but those of us here at The Sun (side note: not the actual Sun office but “here” in mind nonetheless as we too attempt to study in one of the various libraries on campus) are still working hard to get keep our website updated and our readers aware of what is going on at C.U.

Dry Weather Prompts State of Emergency Declaration

Willimina Bromer — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Tompkins County Administrator Stephen Whicher declared a state of emergency in Tompkins County on Friday as a result of the risk of brush fires created by the recent dry, hot weather conditions. The order will be in effect until Wednesday, when Whicher be reevaluate to determine whether it should be lifted or extended.

According to a press release, Whicher’s declaration banned all outdoor burning and recreational outdoor fires. Cooking fires in a contained, controlled barbeque pit or cooking grill are still allowed, although anyone cooking outside is required to “at all times have readily available the proper equipment to extinguish the fire.”

Suspect Wanted in Local Robberies Caught in D.C.

Willimina Bromer — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Whitley “Cash” Taylor, the alleged ringleader in a string of armed robberies on campus and in Collegetown, was arrested in Washington, D.C. earlier this week. A warrant was issued for Taylor’s arrest on suspicion of first-degree robbery on April 1.

Taylor, 26, is a suspect in three recent armed robberies. He is described as a black male, 6-foot 8-inches tall who weighs 312 pounds.

At around 10:30 p.m. on March 29 at a West Campus fraternity, two acquaintances of one of the students present reportedly pulled out a handgun and robbed the occupants of cash and other items.

Economy Alters C.U. Summer Program in Hong Kong

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A few weeks ago, Danielle Farrell ’10 was looking forward to summer. With several prelims approaching, she was satisfied to know that unlike many of her friends just starting to fill out their resumes, she had been on top of her summer plans. Several weeks ago she had applied and been accepted to the Cornell summer International Business and Internship program in Hong Kong.

However, with the economy facing a downturn, the University can no longer guarantee internship placement, a major component of the program, for students who have been accepted.

In addition to the six-week internship, the program also consists of a three-week course on international business taught by Prof. David Ng, applied economics and management.

Exonerated Death Row Inmate Discusses Justice System Issues

Willimina Bromer — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In Aug. 1984 Kirk Bloodsworth was surprised to hear cops banging on his door. But that was just the beginning. Although he held strongly that he was innocent, Bloodsworth was arrested, tried and convicted for the brutal murder and rape of nine-year-old Dawn Hamilton in March 1985. He was then sentenced to death.

In 1993, DNA tests proved that Bloodsworth had not committed the crime, making him the first person to be exonerated from death row though postconviction DNA testing.

Board Passes Plan for Univ. Development

Willimina Bromer — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

The Board of Trustees approved the Comprehensive Master Plan this weekend at its annual March meeting. While the CMP is a general physical roadmap for the future development of the Ithaca campus over the next 10 to 25 years, it is not a specific outline.

“The CMP does not dictate exactly how our campus will look in 50 years,” Student-Elected Trustee Kate Duch ’09 said. “As we expand in the future, the plan will guide where construction should occur — and even more importantly, where open spaces should be preserved.”

C.U. Hopes to Announce New AAP Dean This Fall

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The University is making headway in its search for the next dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Planning following the resignation of Mohsen Mostafavi at the end of last semester. Under the leadership of John Siliciano, vice provost, a search committee began looking for Mostafavi’s successor after he told Cornell last August that he would step down to become dean of the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

“Dean Mostafavi stepped down somewhat unexpectedly, so we are not on our normal cycle. The search is moving fine, and we have appointed a search committee made up of faculty, staff and a student. We also hired an outside search firm to assist us and then bring those names to the search committee,” he said.

State Budget Proposal Forces County to Reassess Policies

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Tompkins County Budget and Capital Committee met with Tompkins County Administrator Steve Whicher yesterday to discuss the possible effects of New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposed 2009 budget.

The changes in the state budget could have a potentially negative impact on the county’s budget — ranging from $500,000 to $1 million — unless the county legislature makes some policy changes to offset the state’s changes. In order to help make up for the cut in state funding, the state’s proposal also gives the state legislature the authority to increase fees.

Darwin Days 2008 Commemorate Most Influential Evolutionary Biologist

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Arguably one of the most controversial figures in recent history, Charles Darwin changed the face of evolutionary biology forever, challenging what were the widely accepted and religious-based views of creationism. In order to commemorate both his contributions to the field and his life, people around the world are celebrating Darwin Day today on the 199th anniversary of Charles’s birthday.

Asteroid Flies Near Earth

Willimina Bromer — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Cornell astronomers were able to shoot delay-doppler radar images of an asteroid called 2007 TU24 as it flew past earth yesterday. Using the Arecibo Observatory and the Green Bank Telescope as a bistatic-radar system, astronomers transmitted radio signals from the Observatory in Puerto Rico off the asteroid and then sent them to the Robert Byrd Greenbank Telescope in West Virginia.

Although astronomers were able to capture images, the asteroid was smaller than they had predicted, at about .2 km in diameter.

“We expected it to be bigger based on how bright it was,” said Michael Nolan, of Cornell’s Arecibo Observatory.

C.U. Receives Subpoena in Study Abroad Investigation

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The University is currently reviewing a subpoena issued by the New York Attorney General’s Office on Jan. 15, according to Simeon Moss ’73, director of Cornell Press Relations. Cornell is one of 15 colleges and universities that received subpoenas as part of an ongoing investigation into the way study abroad programs are selected.

Task Force Outlines New Program for C.U. Bio Majors

Willimina Bromer — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The Task Force on the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum held an open forum yesterday to discuss proposed changes to the undergraduate biology program. If approved, the changes would completely overhaul the current system.

The changes will not affect current students, but rather incoming freshmen in the fall of 2009 at the earliest.

Task Force Chair Prof. Ronald Harris-Warrick, neurology and behavior, stressed that the report was a “working report” and encouraged students to give feedback, ask questions and make suggestions.

Course Evaluations Remain Inaccessible

Willimina Bromer — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

At the end of each semester, course evaluations ask students to reflect on their courses, professors and workload. Fairly comprehensive, evaluations are a valuable resource to instructors — but who else should have access to them?

The debate is a divisive one, raising concerns about both faculty privacy and the availability of evaluations to Cornell students.

Currently, course instructors and department heads can access evaluations, as can students in the Hotel School and the College of Engineering. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is in the process of reassessing its policy on the matter.

City Council Reps Balance Academic, Public Obligations

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

With Thanksgiving break just around the corner, it’s Big Red crunch time. Research papers, prelims and presentations loom, all the desks in Olin are taken, and students long for the sweet taste of homemade cranberry sauce.

Now imagine trying to do all that work in between classes, Common Council meetings and other Council-related engagements and correspondence.

Serving on the Council is a significant commitment, and hours can range anywhere from five to 50 hours depending on the week according to Gayraud Townsend ’05 (D-4th Ward).

Junior Shifts Focus in Bid for Common Council

Willimina Bromer — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Looking to improve the quality of life of students and permanent residents and to ease tensions between the two groups, a number of students have served on the Ithaca Common Council since Josh Glasstetter ’02 was elected in 2000.

Svante Myrick ’09 is currently running for a seat on the Council. Although elections are not until Tuesday, Myrick is running unopposed and will fill the seat of Rep. Gayraud Townsend ’05 (D-4th Ward), whose four-year term is up at the end of the year.

The Council is the governing body of Ithaca and works under the mayor, according to Myrick. It is a 10-person council that passes laws and resolutions, creates and manages the budget and oversees departments in the city.

Israeli Advisor Analyzes Conflict in Middle East

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Arnon Perlman, chief spokesman and senior advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, addressed the conflicts facing the Middle East at an event sponsored by the Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee yesterday. Specifically, Perlman discussed the pressing threats in the region, the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and what is needed to bring stability.

“We live in a rough neighborhood, and people around us want our destruction,” he said. “We have to be stronger than all our enemies put together.”

He identified four “real” threats to Israel — Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.

According to Perlman, Iran poses the greatest threat.

He accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of attempting to secure nuclear weapons.

C.U. to Invest $20 Million in Ithaca

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

On Oct. 6, President David J. Skorton announced at a meeting with community leaders that Cornell will invest $20 million in the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities over the next ten years.

The money, which doubles the amount Cornell currently contributes locally, will be used to help create more affordable housing and alternative modes of transportation.

C.U. Accelerates West Campus Construction

Willimina Bromer — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

If like many not-so-early-birds you’ve been snoozing through that 8:40 class, you probably should have dropped your class. Or lived on West Campus.

“It’s like a second alarm,” said Rachel Holloway ’10. “The construction starts at 8 a.m. every morning which is fine because it helps me get up. It’s really no inconvenience at all.”

Since construction on the West Campus Residential Initiative began in 2003, the “Class of” halls have all been demolished and three of the five new residential dorms — Cook, Becker and Bethe — now house students.

Construction on the remaining two houses was originally set to be completed in 2010, but is now scheduled for August 2008.

Gannett Focuses On Mental Health

Willimina Bromer — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Are you feeling down, depressed or hopeless? Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down? Having thoughts that you would be better off dead, or hurting yourself in some way?

Probably not what your mom would have asked you when you fell off your bike. In an effort to identify people who may need help, any student who makes an appointment at Gannett is now screened for depression.

The tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, which left 32 students and faculty members and the shooter Seung Hui Cho dead, has brought counseling services to the forefront of health concerns at universities around the country, including Cornell.

Man Awakens After Six-Year Coma

Willimina Bromer — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

After being severely beaten during a mugging in 1999, a man spent six years in a minimally conscious state, virtually unable to communicate with others and eating through a feeding tube. Now 38, that man is not only able respond to commands and feed himself, but has also regained some characteristics of his personal identity after having his brain stimulated by electric currents.

“His speech has improved, he is regaining aspects his personhood and he is beginning to regain aspects of his personality,” said Prof. Joseph Fins, medicine, who collaborated with several doctors on the study. “He can eat three meals a day by mouth, say short sentences and recite the first 16 words of the pledge of allegiance.”

Cornell to Replace CoursEnroll Next Term

Willimina Bromer — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

“Any person… any study.”

The plethora of classes Cornell offers may hold true to Ezra Cornell’s founding vision, but enrolling in those classes is sometimes easier said than done. Even if students are able to pre-register for a class during CoursEnroll, they are not guaranteed enrollment.

According to David Yeh, vice president of student and academic services, “CoursEnroll as it is now is not one’s schedule. It is one’s preferences and requests.”

This may come as a surprise to students.

Median Grades on the Rise

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 01 May 2007 01:22:28 -0400

C.U. Helps Identify Poison in Pet Food

Willimina Bromer — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:24:47 -0400

Article body:

Cornell scientists played an integral role in identifying the poison that contaminated Menu Foods’ “cuts and gravy” style pet food. The contamination resulted in the death of at least 16 animals and the recall of 95 of Menu’s cat and dog food brands.

Contract Increases C.U. Police Salaries

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:22:38 -0400

Article body:

Since 1991, Cornell’s population has grown by at least ten percent and the size of the campus has increased by three million square feet, according to Stephen Golding, executive vice president for finance and administration, who oversees the Cornell Police Department. And yet, despite increasing demands for public safety, the CUPD has not expanded.

C.U. Students Set to Learn How to Teach Science

Willimina Bromer — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 05:00:00 -0400

“Why is it that some students can go all through school and graduate from Ivy League colleges like Harvard or MIT, yet they fail to understand some basic science concepts?” ask Profs. Barbara Crawford and Dawn Schrader, both from Cornell’s education department, in their upcoming workshop entitled “The Art of Teaching”.

Participants in this Saturday’s Science Teaching Workshop will explore this question as well as other issues related to the way students learn science and examine ways to effectively teach science in elementary and secondary schools.