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The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/2002/07/18/a-checklist-of-things-to-do/)

July 18, 2002

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A Checklist of Things to Do

By wpengine | July 18, 2002

There are some things you must do while at Cornell. Believe it or not, time really flies, and you don’t want to leave this fine institution with any regrets. If you are truly dedicated, by the time you graduate, you will have

A Short History of Slope Day

By wpengine July 19, 2002

Slope Day is an event which brings the Cornell community together in a celebration of the last day of classes. Its name comes from its location: Libe Slope. According to Stephen Ryan ’03, “It’s the best day of the year.” The origins of Slope Day date back to the 1970’s when all students could partake in a feast that was prepared by Cornell Dining. Since then this tradition has grown into a campus-wide party, although classes and–for some students, exams–still take place on Slope Day. Reaction Many students are not so enthusiastic about this University policy. “It’s pointless to have class because no one goes. That’s the whole point of Slope Day,” said Courtney Glasgow ’04. Last May, hard liquor along with any open or glass containers was banned from the Slope for the first time. Alcohol that was not prohibited was limited to six cans per person. Only people carrying a Cornell ID were permitted onto the slope. Students were informed of the changes by flyers that were posted all over campus. As in past years, students in possession of alcohol had to present proof that they were over 21 years of age. Most students did not believe that the new rules changed how most students celebrated Slope Day. “I think people were maybe a little more cautious about how they brought alcohol in,” said Jennifer Su ’04. Each year students hold their breaths on the morning of Slope Day to see what the weather will be like. In 2001 the weather was hot and humid, most people were dressed in shorts and bikinis, and some “streakers” were seen running across the slope. This year, however, the picture was different. The weather was in the low 50s and most students held their fleeces close around them or huddled next to each other for warmth. However, the festivities did not slow down because of this less-than-perfect weather. “We all needed a break from classes, and we are used to the cold in Ithaca, so we just put on sweater and drank liquids to keep us warm,” said Erin McClure ’04. An alcohol-free alternative to the intemperate masses on the slope is Slope Fest that takes place on West Campus below Libe Slope. Free food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided to the students as well as free activities and live music. Performers In 2002, Poetic Alchemy, Nada Surf, Oculus and the Cornell Steel Band were some of the performers. The fun options available to students included laser tag, bouncy boxing, and giveaways of free instant cameras, caricatures, and henna tattoos.Archived article by Liz Novak
Campus Construction Will Increase in Coming Years

By wpengine July 19, 2002

By the time members of the Class of 2006 toss their caps in their air, Cornell construction projects will have transformed the campus landscape drastically. The most visible project on campus is Duffield Hall, an addition to the engineering quad that will house research and teaching facilities for nanotechnology. Construction began last summer, and by the time the fall semester starts, the internal structure of the building will be complete. The goal is to have the second phase of the project, the construction of an atrium connecting Phillips, Duffield and Upson Halls, finished by Commencement 2004, according to Stundtner. “Only extraordinary good luck and efforts of the contractors will meet that goal,” he said. Since last fall, pedestrian traffic on the engineering quad has been restricted. The area will not be fully accessible until late 2003 at the earliest, Stundtner said. According to Stundtner, pedestrian and vehicular traffic will likely be impeded for short durations during the semester due to the construction. “We try to be sensitive to the issue, because we’re already having such a big impact with the quad fenced off,” he said. Besides Duffield Hall, many other projects are being planned. The Cornell University Board of Trustees decided last semester to locate the new Life Sciences building on the west end of Alumni Fields, behind Bartels Hall. The $110 million, 240,000 square-foot facility will be physically connected to Corson-Mudd Hall and the Biotechnology Building. Richard Meier ’56 has been selected to design the building, though no architectural plans exist yet. Meier has designed such buildings as the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the High Museum in Atlanta. “[Meier] is quite famous and quite innovative,” Kresovich said. Since construction of the Life Sciences Technology building will destroy fields that the men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams, the women’s lacrosse team and the football and sprint football teams use, two replacement athletic fields will be built. The location of these fields has not yet been decided. New facilities are not reserved for the sciences. The College of Architecture, Art and Planning will also receive a new building, with Milstein Hall scheduled to replace Rand Hall. In April 2001, an independent jury of six internationally renowned architects selected Steven Holl as the architect of Milstein Hall from a group of four finalists. Many alumni objected to Holl’s design, concerned that it would clash with existing architecture on the Arts Quad. They formed a committee dedicated to changing the building’s design. According Project Director John McKeown ’73, University officials decided this summer to replace Steven Holl as the architect of Milstein Hall. Construction on Milstein will ideally begin next summer and be completed two years later, McKeown said. Due to the magnitude of the change in plans, the exact location of the building is unknown. According to McKeown, Milstein Hall may be located on the site where Rand Hall currently exists or it may be built behind Sibley Hall.Archived article by Stephanie Hankin