The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/author/tamarakamis/)
Protesters from Climate Justice Cornell, Friends of Farmworkers, Cornell Dream Team and Cornell Welcomes Refugees met at Bailey Hall and marched to Willard Straight Hall, where they held a teach-in. They discussed issues ranging from the adverse effects of climate change on farm workers to poor labor practices in Qatar.
Climate Justice Cornell blocked campus roads for the second time in less than seven days, demanding that Cornell divest from the fossil fuel industry and disrupting the commutes of students finishing afternoon classes on Wednesday afternoon.
A mock wedding, staged by Climate Justice Cornell, married Cornell University and the fossil fuel industry in protests of The University’s unwillingness to divest from fossil fuels. Protesters donned orange for Global Divestment Day while marching down Ho Plaza carrying larger than life puppets.
Protestors have blocked the intersection of Tower Road and East Avenue since 1 p.m. demanding that Cornell University end its investments in the fossil fuel industry, joining activists on campuses across the country on international divestment day.
2,216 cases of the flu have been reported in Central New York since Oct. 5, 2019, with 65 of those having been treated at Cornell, according to Anne Jones, Cornell Health’s director of medical services.
As the World Health Organization declared the spread of the coronavirus a “global health emergency,” more people on campus wore face masks to protect themselves from this disease. As of Thursday evening, over 200 people have died and 9,800 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed. While there are currently six confirmed cases in the U.S., there are currently no known cases of the disease in New York state. Cornell Health is collaborating with the Tompkins County Health Department to monitor the new strain of the coronavirus, but many students are still worried. Coronaviruses were first described in the 1960s, and are named after the “crown” of sugary proteins that stick out of them.
Temple of Zeus is one of the few on campus cafes providing reusable mugs, plates and silverware to on-site diners. The eatery also offers a host of vegan and vegetarian options for those conscious of the carbon footprint their food makes.
The University is trying to renew its permit to operate the Cornell University Hydroelectric Project, which includes a dam, turbines and associated structures which have been on Fall Creek for decades, providing energy to campus. Renewable energy initiatives like the hydroelectric plant are a part of Cornell’s goal of a carbon neutral campus by 2035. According to a Federal Energy Commission Report, the average annual power generation from 2013 to 2018 was over 4,500 megawatt-hours. All the power produced by the plant is used to fuel Cornell’s main campus. The hydroelectric project is designed as a “run of the river operation,” meaning that Cornell uses water as it flows in Fall Creek and does not store water.
A contentious Faculty Senate meeting on Wednesday showed the depth of faculty disapproval for the proposed rebranding of the College of Human Ecology as the College of Public Policy.
Two e-cigarette related deaths were reported in New York state in 2019. Lawmakers consider changes in legislating, including banning flavored Juul products, as Collegetown store managers react.