Gunman at St. John’s University Linked to Cornell
A 22-year-old freshman student at St. John’s University, Omesh Hiraman from Jackson Heights, Queens, was arrested last week after bringing a single-shot rifle loaded with one bullet to campus.
Omesh Hiraman ’06, an engineering student, attended Cornell from fall 2002 to spring 2005.Full story
Collegetown Ward Common Council Members to Be Replaced
The two representatives to the Ithaca Common Council, the legislative body for Ithaca, from the 4th Ward, which includes Collegetown, are leaving the Council at the end of this year. Svante Myrick ’09 is running unopposed for one of the seats, and a 4th Ward Collegetown seat still remains open.Full story
Cornell Master Plans After Community Feedback
Cornell unveiled a preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Master Plan, a proposal devoted to the physical development of campus over the next 10 to 25 years, last week.
An open house began the second round of forums intended to inform the public of the plan’s progress and gather community feedback. After considering public input from the open house, the CMP Working Committee will revise the draft and work toward a final proposal, due to be approved by the Board of Trustees in March 2008.
The plan, which began in April 2006 with an extensive survey of University and public interests, is broad-reaching in its scope — addressing all aspects of both the Cornell campus and the surrounding area. Full story
Weill May Give Honorary Degrees
A new proposal from Weill Cornell Medical College, written by David Hajjar, executive vice provost of Weill, encourages the College to begin issuing honorary degrees to scientists who are alumni of the graduate or medical school and philanthropists who have substantially contributed to the biomedical community.
According to Charles Walcott, dean of University faculty, this proposal has been in the works for some time, but progress has been slow because it goes against long-held University tradition. Currently, the University’s administration has no plans to issue honorary degrees.Full story
Hundreds Demonstrate Against Iranian President
Hundreds of Columbia students and other individuals protested the appearance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the University last week. The demonstration included speakers with many different agendas: Some protested the Universty bringing Ahmadinejad, while others spoke about the importance of free speech.
Many demonstrators expressed anger over the treatment of women, gay and lesbian people and religious minorities in Iran. Other protesters spoke out aginst Ahmadinejad’s denial of the Holocaust, as well as statements he has made arguing for the destruction of Israel.
Ahmadinejad’s speech served as a source of contention for many away from Columbia’s campus as well, including City and national politicians.Full story