Faculty call for more say on library decisions
About 225 people attended a public discussion Nov. 24 on strategic planning for Cornell University Libraries. Many faculty who attended called for more say in library-related decisions. (Nov. 25, 2009)

Climate experts debate carbon dioxide
Reducing carbon dioxide to safe levels may require extracting carbon from the air, says Cornell climate researcher. (Nov. 25, 2009)

Magazines cite Johnson School for diversity
Three magazines included the Johnson School in their 2009 'Best of the Best' annual review series of corporations that provide the best career opportunities for minorities. (Nov. 25, 2009)

Study examines link between religion and votes
How Americans vote is strongly linked to their religious identities, but it is not an independent influence that transcends race, socioeconomic class and gender, reports a new study. (Nov. 24, 2009)

Visiting professor Kakabadze wins top literary honor
Cornell writer-in-residence and visiting professor in the Department of Government Irakli Kakabadze was awarded the Oxfam Novib/PEN Award 2009 in The Hague, Nov. 18. (Nov. 24, 2009)

Skorton surprised by 60th birthday celebration
More than 100 students, staff and senior administrators joined Professor Robin L. Davisson, Nov. 23, to surprise President David J. Skorton with wishes for a happy 60th birthday. (Nov. 24, 2009)

Professors brief Congress on carbon offsets
Cornell professors Antonio Bento and David Wolf briefed the House and Senate on Capitol Hill, Nov. 18-19, on 'The Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Emerging Carbon Markets.' (Nov. 24, 2009)

Local Foods Fair fosters community ties to farmers
The Local Foods Fair in Mann Library, Nov. 19, offered ways that community members can support small farmers and vice versa. (Nov. 24, 2009)

Visiting professor mixes technology and dance
William Forsythe, the newest A.D. White Professor-at-Large, is best known for using technology to explore the architecture of his dynamic, 21-century form of ballet. (Nov. 23, 2009)

CU search-and-rescue robots to compete internationally
In early November, Cornell was named one of 10 semifinalists in the first Multi-Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge. (Nov. 23, 2009)

New grant enhances program to help budding farmers
Cornell's Small Farms Program has received a new three-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to broaden its support for new farmers in the Northeast. (Nov. 23, 2009)

Tutors prepare low-income high school students for SATs
Volunteers with the Cornell branch of the national organization Let's Get Ready help low-income high school students net a 180 point increase with their SAT preparation. (Nov. 23, 2009)

A conversation on options for management sciences
A task force on the management sciences finds that the Cornell's many highly ranked, specialized business education programs may have the potential for collaboration. (Nov. 23, 2009)

TV host Katie Brown '85 credits Cornell for her success
During a visit to campus Nov. 19, Katie Brown '85 drew on her experiences becoming an entrepreneur to inspire students to consider nontraditional career paths. (Nov. 23, 2009)

Cornell launches first annual real estate case contest
A panel of judges, all professionals, gave top prize to Cornell students in the first annual Cornell Real Estate Case Competition, Nov. 12, in New York City. (Nov. 23, 2009)

Crime spike and CU response discussed at forum
Cornell University Police Chief Kathy Zoner hosted a Nov. 19 forum in Robert Purcell Community Center aimed at addressing community concerns about a recent spike in crime near campus. (Nov. 20, 2009)

Map of variation in maize genes may aid breeding efforts
New techniques may allow breeders and researchers to use this map of genetic variation to study and improve maize varieties. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Cornell team wins regional programming contest
Cornell teams placed first, fifth and 18th out of 51 teams at the 2009 ACM Greater New York regional programming contest; the first-place team will compete in the international finals. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Task force: More students would put 'strain' on Cornell
The university should maintain its student population at current levels, says a strategic planning task force report. On Nov. 18, Provost Kent Fuchs moderated a public discussion on the recommendations. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Deputy defense secretary speaks on public service
On Nov. 18, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn, J.D. '80, told law students that federal agencies need good lawyers more than ever; and the work can be among the most rewarding there is. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Plant biologist, conservationist Carl Leopold dies at 89
Carl Leopold joined BTI in 1977, where he researched seed physiology and desiccation processes for 25 years. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Giant green paw print marks campus sustainability efforts
At a follow-up to the Sept. 26 Sustainability Summit for Student Leaders, students leaders presented their sustainability accomplishments and heard from an expert who encouraged them to be creative. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Concerts, Webster lecture celebrate Haydn anniversary
Cornell's Department of Music is holding a four-concert Haydn Festival marking the 200th anniversary of the composer's death, with a diversity of works and a Nov. 21 lecture by James Webster. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Panelists discuss the state of U.S. health care
A panel of five Cornell and Ithaca experts on various sides of the health care debate discussed the issue Nov. 17 in Goldwin Smith Hall's Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Trip to NYC offers window into Russian culture
On the seventh annual trip to Brighton Beach, 33 Cornellians spent the day immersing themselves in Russian culture, including a performance by the acclaimed Russian National Folk Dance Ensemble. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Things to Do, Nov. 19-Dec. 3
Events this week include a local foods fair and photography at Mann Library, a Thanksgiving feast, science fiction films, an Indian cultural gala, and a Literary luncheon with James McConkey. (Nov. 19, 2009)

Skorton named to Goldman Sachs advisory council
Goldman Sachs has tapped Cornell President David Skorton to serve on an advisory council for their new $500 million, five-year initiative: 10,000 Small Businesses. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Panelists: The history of Haiti is relevant to the world
At a French studies workshop, 'History and the Experience of Haiti,' Nov. 14, speakers addressed how Haiti's history relates to universal history - the relationships of histories throughout the world. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Meeting focuses on recruitment, retention of faculty, staff
Cornell HR professionals and administrators attended the Cornell Diversity and Compliance Update Meeting, Nov. 9, to discuss best practices for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Alumni's military service recognized on Veterans Day
Lt. Col. Steven Alexander, the head of Cornell Reserve Officers Training Corps, spoke at Cornell's Veteran's Day Ceremony, held Nov. 11 in Willard Straight Hall's Memorial Room. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Cornell Forensics Society moves to ILR School
The organization, which offers students the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate speech and debate competitions, is moving from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. (Nov. 18, 2009)

CU volunteers help make Kids' Book Fest possible
Without the help of Cornell volunteers, organizers say they never could have offered a free 2009 Kids' Book Fest that took place Nov. 14 and attracted more than 2,000 parents and children. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Psych 101 students participate in sleep research
More than 300 students in Psychology 101 are taking part in the largest-ever objective study of the sleep patterns of individual college students. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Two new house deans named on West Campus
Professors Andre Dhondt and Scott MacDonald will take up new posts as house professor-deans on West campus, starting in fall 2010. (Nov. 18, 2009)

Employees attend Benefair 2009
Approximately 500 staff and faculty members learned about the benefits that Cornell offers to them at the 2009 Benefair, held Nov. 11 in G10 Biotech. The open enrollment period ends Nov. 30. (Nov. 17, 2009)

Stimulus grant will improve physics arXiv
Stimulus funding will enhance Cornell's e-print arXiv of scientific papers to help users identify a work's main concepts, see research reports in context and easily find related work. (Nov. 17, 2009)

Paul Chirik wins Blavatnik Award
The award recognizes young scientists with 'highly innovative, impactful, interdisciplinary accomplishments in the life sciences, physical sciences and engineering.' (Nov. 17, 2009)

Big Red Bikes to offer fleet of bikes to share
Beginning next fall, undergraduates will have access to 20 bikes around campus that they can check out at one of four libraries - for free. (Nov. 17, 2009)

Sustainability, capitalism go hand in hand, says CEO
The 2009 Net Impact Conference held at Cornell Nov. 13-14 drew a record 2,400 participants and featured such speakers as Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of General Electric. (Nov. 17, 2009)

Stimulus money to improve biological imaging
Professor Warren Zipfel hopes to make fluorescence lifetime imaging up to 1,000 times faster and simpler to implement. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Employees urged to plan now for stormy weather
How would severe weather affect where, how and when Cornell staff do their work? University officials are urging employees to make work plans for weather-related closings and delays. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Vet College horse is center of complete horse genome
A Cornell horse was the sole DNA donor for the entire horse genome, which has been recently completed with help from the beginning from Doug Antczak, a veterinary immunologist. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Small optical force can budge nanoscale objects
Engineering researchers have used a very tiny beam of light with as little as 1 milliwatt of power to move a silicon structure up to 12 nanometers. (Nov. 16, 2009)

100 mpg team works on next stage of competition
Cornell's competition vehicle, vying for a share of the $10 million prize, is now being test driven. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Campus hosts Global Entrepreneurship Week events
Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 16-22, will feature entrepreneurs from around the world and connect people through activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Informal lunch focuses on planning task force reports
What actions did the task force on student enrollment recommend to Cornell? Key administrators reviewed the findings at a brown-bag lunch Nov. 12. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Hospitality expertise needed in senior facilities
The key to success in operating senior living communities is creating a relationship with residents, said panelists at a Senior Living Roundtable, held in October at the School of Hotel Administration. (Nov. 16, 2009)

Benefit Services can help you invest for retirement
Now is a good time to review your retirement plans and to make an appointment with a retirement vendor representative to review your investments. (Nov. 13, 2009)

Wellness boosted by Program for Healthy Living
Four employees share their experiences with the Cornell Program for Healthy Living, one of the endowed health care plans available during open enrollment, which ends Nov. 30. (Nov. 13, 2009)

Prized fungi collection returns to China
University delegates returned a rare collection of fungi to China Nov. 7, 70 years after it was smuggled out of the country and brought to Cornell for safekeeping. (Nov. 12, 2009)

Things to Do, Nov. 13-20
Events on campus this week include alumnus and lifestyle expert Katie Brown, an urban version of 'Romeo and Juliet' and a benefit concert for Cornell's Hospital for Animals. (Nov. 12, 2009)

First Ithaca-Qatar debate argues tobacco funding
At the first Cornell intercampus debate Nov. 4, students from Ithaca debated Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar students in Doha about funding from tobacco companies. The Cornell-Ithaca team won. (Nov. 12, 2009)

Conference looks at turning research into practice
The Second Biennial Urie Bronfenbrenner Conference, held last month, focused on how to best ways to translate basic research in the social and behavioral sciences into real-world practices. (Nov. 12, 2009)

Two weeks left for open enrollment
Two weeks are left in the open enrollment period for endowed faculty and staff; it ends the Monday after Thanksgiving break, Nov. 30. (Nov. 12, 2009)

Elmira Mangum named VP for budget and planning
Elmira Mangum, senior associate provost at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has been appointed by Provost Kent Fuchs as Cornell's vice president for budget and planning, effective Feb. 1, 2010. (Nov. 12, 2009)

South American bird woos mate with resonating feathers
Researchers explain a striking example of a species modifying an essential body part for the purpose of attracting a mate. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Fuchs to host talks on task force recommendations
Six public discussions and a series of informal brown-bag lunches will offer the Cornell community a chance to comment on task force recommendations that affect the university as a whole. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Nabokov's final novel released, scholar to lecture
Cornell will celebrate the publication of Vladimir Nabokov's final work, 'The Original of Laura,' with early sales of the book and a lecture by Nabokov biographer Brian Boyd. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Summer program on green design in Europe available
Cornell is offering a four-week Summer Study Abroad Program July 5-31 on ecological design in London and Paris. Students can earn eight credits. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Got bird questions? New book has the answers
Cornell Lab science editor Laura Erickson has written 'The Bird Watching Answer Book,' a 400-page, pocket-sized reference answering some 200 questions about birds. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Two busloads of Cornellians visit the United Nations
Nov. 6 marked the sixth annual Cornell trip to the United Nations; 79 Cornellians spent the day touring the organization and meeting U.N. experts, who spoke on topics the students requested. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Lasser describes judicial transformation in Europe
Professor Mitchel Lasser, author of the new book 'Judicial Transformations: The Rights Revolution in the Courts of Europe,' was honored with a panel discussion in Myron Taylor Hall Nov. 2. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Shiffrin writes on the value of the religious left
Law professor Steven Shiffrin spoke about his new book, 'The Religious Left and Church-State Relations,' at a panel discussion in his honor in Myron Taylor Hall Oct. 30. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Dean and experts discuss surviving in hospitality
At the Cornell School of Hotel Administration's Dean's Leadership Series event held in New York City Nov. 9, hotel executives discussed the challenges of the hospitality industry in these times. (Nov. 11, 2009)

Cornell releases predator beetle to battle hemlock pest
Cornell researchers released a well-studied beetle predator to test its ability to ward off a hemlock-killing aphid-like insect. (Nov. 10, 2009)

Minority students present research at Cornell
Five Cornell undergraduates presented original research Nov. 7 at the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program's 2009 regional conference, for students from historically disadvantaged groups. (Nov. 10, 2009)

Esther Dotson, art history emerita, dies at 91
Esther Gordon Dotson, professor emerita of art history at Cornell, died Oct. 28 after a long illness. She was 91. (Nov. 10, 2009)

Researchers find a weak link in cancer cell armor
Professor Robert Weiss has found that when two particular genes are inhibited, cancer cells are destroyed at a greater rate. The study is published in the Nov. 9 issue of PNAS. (Nov. 10, 2009)

Researchers invent new method for graphene growth
A Cornell research team has invented a simple way to make graphene electrical devices by growing the graphene directly onto a silicon wafer. (Nov. 9, 2009)

Many lack the skills to make good health decisions
Some 93 million Americans do not have the numerical skills necessary to make well-informed decisions about their medical care, reports a Cornell professor, who has some suggestions on changing that. (Nov. 9, 2009)

New CALS option teaches biology for the real world
Many students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can now take a host of courses to learn science for the real world, while satisfying their life sciences distribution requirements. (Nov. 9, 2009)

Student 'Grapes of Wrath' essay winners announced
The 10 students selected as winners of the 2009 New Student Reading Project essay contest will each receive $200 worth of books and have their essays published on the Reading Project Web site. (Nov. 9, 2009)

Life After CU: The Minority Career Perspective
Minority Cornell graduates returned to campus Nov. 7 to advise current students on how to find careers and enjoy their time on the Hill. (Nov. 9, 2009)

Speaker series aims to motivate entrepreneurs
A Nov. 20 seminar in the new Entrepreneurship Seminar Series in the East Hill Office Building will focus on tips and strategies for getting an idea ready for market. (Nov. 9, 2009)

Architect of new World Trade Center discusses design
In a Nov. 4 talk, Daniel Libeskind described how his experiences growing up in post-war Poland, his immigration to America as a teenager and his identity as a Jew have shaped his architectural vision. (Nov. 6, 2009)

Provost releases strategic planning task force reports
On Nov. 6 Provost Kent Fuchs announced that the reports of the 20 strategic planning task forces are available and that public discussions on six of the reports will be held in the coming weeks. (Nov. 6, 2009)

French justice Canivet speaks on constitutional law
Institutional reforms passed in France in 2008 are the most significant in that country in many years, said Justice Guy Canivet at the Cornell Law School Nov. 2. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Basu appointed a chief economic adviser to India
The government of India has named Cornell economist Kaushik Basu as its new chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance. He will be on leave from Cornell for two years, beginning in December. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Nitrogen loss threatens desert plant life, study shows
Cornell researchers have discovered that heat leads to nitrogen loss in desert soils, a finding that may require climate change models to be altered. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Why join the Cornell Program for Healthy Living?
Paul Bursic, director of Benefit Services, explains the advantages of Cornell's Program for Healthy Living, a health care program offered to endowed faculty and staff. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Individual retirement sessions offer greater access
Employees wishing to have an individual appointment with one of Cornell's retirement vendors can now go to East Hill Plaza as well as Day Hall and the vet college. Call your vendor to set one up. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Things to Do, Nov. 6-13
Events on campus this week include concerts by Tracy Grammer and Japanese drum ensemble Yamato, an alumni career forum, a program of video art and music, and the international Net Impact conference. (Nov. 5, 2009)

Kathy Zoner named chief of Cornell Police
Kathy Zoner has been sworn in as the new chief of the Cornell University Police, making her the first woman to serve as chief at Cornell. (Nov. 4, 2009)

Stimulus funds aid study of spinal cord injury recovery
Ronald Harris-Warrick, Cornell professor of neurobiology and behavior, is using stimulus money to study locomotion that may lead to cures for spinal cord injuries. (Nov. 4, 2009)

Cornell Dining serves up Cornell-grown produce
This fall Cornell is taking the 'local foods' concept to a whole new level by buying corn, potatoes, squash and ornamental gourds directly from Cornell's farms. (Nov. 4, 2009)

Cornell looks back on 40 years of women's studies
Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies, formerly Women's Studies, has expanded over four decades to encompass the breadth of academic discourse in such areas as gender and queer studies. (Nov. 4, 2009)

CU's annual report sums up challenges, successes
Cornell has released its annual report for 2008-09, which summarizes the university's progress in academics, research and public outreach, and how it dealt with a year of fiscal adversity. (Nov. 4, 2009)

Microsoft top exec discusses technology of the future
As it becomes easier to use, 'The computer will become much more of a helper for people and not just a tool,' said Microsoft exec Craig Mundie in a talk on campus Nov. 2. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Sophomore to sing live on Oprah's karaoke contest
One minute, Kristina Brooks was finishing an animal science lab. The next, she was a semifinalist on Oprah Winfrey's Karaoke Challenge Contest. Brooks will sing on the show live Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Film programming dovetails with academic mission
Cornell Cinema's eclectic year-round repertory and specialty programming offer film buffs access to a wide range of films, and co-sponsorships with a variety of academic programs. (Nov. 3, 2009)

SA recommends cutting Cornell Cinema funding
The undergraduate Student Assembly has upheld a decision to cut Cornell Cinema's funding from the Student Activity Fee by 22 percent. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Panelists celebrate 40 years of women's studies
The Oct. 30 kickoff featured panelists who described how Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies has helped shape their academic careers. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Half of U.S. children will use food stamps, study shows
Almost half of American children -- and most black children and children who spend their childhoods in single-parent households -- will eat meals paid for by food stamps at some point while growing up. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Collaboration strengthens scholarship across continents
Cornell University Library and Tsinghua University Library in China cemented a formal collaboration during an Oct. 29 ceremony on Cornell's campus. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Compressing photonic signals for greater bandwidth
An ingenious method to time-compress optical signals could enable optical communication systems to carry many more bits per second. (Nov. 3, 2009)

Two grad students earn Intel fellowships
Shuang Zhao and Mark Cianchetti have each received a Ph.D. Fellowship Award from Intel Corp., which recognizes their potential as future technology leaders. (Nov. 3, 2009)

High school students contribute graffiti to set design
To make the graffiti look real on the set for the upcoming performances of 'Romeo and Juliet' in the Schwartz Center, Ithaca High's Graffiti Club and Cornell students will add their graffiti designs. (Nov. 3, 2009)

CU receives $850,000 to improve specialty crops
With the grants, researchers will examine pest and disease management techniques, crop productivity and plant health in New York's specialty crops sector, which generates $1.3 billion annually. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Researcher studies blood vessels that feed tumors
Federal stimulus funding helps Cornell researchers create tiny 3-D models of tumors to mimic conditions necessary for the development of vascular systems by tumors. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Web site will advance science in the Americas
A new Web site will help Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking scientists interact, find funding opportunities and even trade equipment. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Researchers present genetics findings at Qatar symposium
The prevalence of genetic diseases in the Middle East were among the topics of the second Qatar Genetics Symposium held Oct. 31 at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Executive gives CU entrepreneurs tips for success
Entrepreneur Rob Ryan passed along some ground rules for successful entrepreneurs during a talk Oct. 26. The event, part of the Moses and Loulu Seltzer Lecture series, drew more than 200 people. (Nov. 2, 2009)

iPhone app, tea bag appliance win 'elevator pitch'
For this year's Cornell Entrepreneur Organization Elevator Pitch Competition, contestants had 60-90 seconds to sell their idea to a panel of three judges. The top prize was $100. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Students go 'Into the Streets' for community service
About 1,200 Cornell students streamed 'Into the Streets' for the 18th annual day of service Oct. 31, proclaimed by Mayor Carolyn Peterson as Into the Streets Day in the City of Ithaca. (Nov. 2, 2009)

Remembrance service for Lucas Wooster set for Nov. 4
Lucas Wooster, 32, a Ph.D. candidate in horticulture, died early Sunday morning, Nov. 1, in the town of Ithaca. (Nov. 2, 2009)