Minority grad students receive orientation

By Linda Myers

This year, Cornell's Graduate School enrolled 81 black, Latino and Native American students in master's and doctoral programs across the curriculum -- engineering, mathematics, the sciences and arts. The students were welcomed by faculty, staff and continuing graduate students at a special orientation Sept. 6 in the Biotechnology Building auditorium.

Graduate students Lucy Thairu, left, and Ed Jones enjoy a meal prepared by Tucker's Catering, following the Underrepresented Minority Graduate Student Orientation Sept. 6 in the Biotechnology Building. Robert Barker/University Photography

Terry Plater, associate dean for academic affairs at the Graduate School, told the group that this year slightly fewer underrepresented minority graduate students enrolled than last year, reflecting an overall drop in graduate school admission nationwide. However, she stressed individuality in her remarks rather than statistics: "We are interested in you as a whole person, as a graduate student and a scholar, and in the quality of your life. You need to talk to us -- a lot -- throughout your time at Cornell."

Speaking informally afterward, Plater said: "My message this year is retention, retention and retention. Many graduate schools admit underrepresented minority students but fail to support them. We want to make sure that before they enroll there's a fit between the students and Cornell and that when they arrive they get the same support and engagement, the same training and guidance that all students get." She hopes to formalize the awarding of scholarships and fellowships to underrepresented minority graduate students as well as add an intellectual component -- meetings and conferences with fellow scholars in other graduate schools.

Plater's office will launch a new web site later this fall directed at both applicants and current students who are members of underrepresented minorities. A packet given to new graduate students at the orientation gathering included a copy of the fall 2001 Cornell Graduate Newsletter, with an article on student health insurance, handouts on such useful information as how to get around Tompkins County, where to call in an emergency and the names and locations of barber shops and beauty parlors that cater to African-Americans.

The students also were introduced to Alison "Sunny" Power, interim dean of the Graduate School, who announced she will meet informally with graduate students over lunch in the Big Red Barn every Thursday at noon when school is in session.

Other Cornell administrators and faculty members who spoke to the students were: Victoria Blodgett, director of graduate student life; Joyce Muchan, student programs adviser in the Public Service Center; Professor Susan Suarez, director of graduate studies in biomedical sciences; Assistant Professor Quinetta Roberson, School of Industrial and Labor Relations; Salah Hassan, chair of the Department of History of Art and associate professor at the Africana Studies and Research Center; Milton Curry, assistant professor of architecture; and Raeann Skenandore, associate director of student services in the American Indian Program.

Plater also introduced Lula Tucker of Tucker's Catering, whom she called "an Ithaca institution," and invited those present to enjoy a down-home meal of fried chicken, collard greens, yams, beans, rice and biscuits prepared and served by the caterer and her staff.