To the editor:
I want to recognize the many people and campus units responsible for the success of this summer's LSA Linguistic Institute, hosted by Linguistics and the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. Cornell faculty teaching came from Linguistics and also Modern Languages, Philosophy, Asian Studies, Psychology and HDFS. They and nearly 100 visiting faculty offered a stimulating six-week program of linguistics courses, complemented by workshops, conferences and social events. And President Rawlings took time to welcome participants at the opening Forum Lecture.
Major Cornell funding came from the Provost's Office, the Arts College, the Departments of Linguistics and of Modern Languages, the Cognitive Studies and East Asia programs, and the Graduate School. Other units also contributed: Africana, American Indian Program, Anthropology, Classics, Computer Science, German Studies, German Cultural Studies Institute, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Romance Studies, Southeast Asia Program and Society for the Humanities.
Academic support went well beyond faculty and funding. The Library deserves special mention. Not only did we (and others!) benefit from their extending summer hours, but they arranged special orientation sessions and exhibits as well as accommodating many other Institute needs. CIT, the Phonetics Lab and Noyes Language Learning Center also welcomed participants.
Nonacademic support was outstanding. Summer Sessions helped with planning and basic logistics, working hard to make participants' experience hassle-free. Payroll and Accounting, the International Scholars and Students Office and Transportation all helped smooth the way for the visitors. Conference Services and Campus Life settled people into Balch and Risley, and Balch Hall Dining staff fed them well. Temple of Zeus extended hours and offered "hang-out" space. Goldwin Smith, Uris and Baker building management responded to special room and equipment requests, and custodians kept up cheerfully with extra Institute-generated work. The Campus Store was welcoming and helpful, and faculty colleagues across campus lent offices to visiting faculty.
Though last in this list, the work of many undergrads and grad students from linguistics and related fields and of administrative staff in the Linguistics Department was critical both before and during the Institute. Associate Directors Abigail Cohn ('76) and C.-T. James Huang (Univ. of California, Irvine), and I want to thank everyone who helped but especially Lisa Lavoie (grad), Katherine Ng ('99), Beverly McGowan ('96) and Sheila Haddad, coordinator and adminstrative manager, Linguistics Department.
Cornell and Cornellians impressed Institute visitors very favorably. Thank you all.
Sally McConnell-Ginet,
professor and chair, and
1997 LSA Linguistic Institute director