Jason Koski/University Photography

From left, Lisa Shaffer, director of student services in Cornell's School of Hotel Administration; Judi Brownell, dean of students and professor of organizational communication in the Hotel School; and incoming transfer students Heather Yi, Su Yeon You and Christina Heggie prepare pizza Jan. 17. Copyright © Cornell University

To ease the transition for transfer students in the School of Hotel Administration, the school debuted its Team Cuisine, Jan. 17, during spring orientation week. Transfer students were invited to roll up their sleeves and work together to prepare a pizza lunch for themselves in the Statler food labs.

"The activity is to promote teamwork and camaraderie -- it is not about learning to cook," said Lisa M. Shaffer, director of student services at the Hotel School. The students made salad and pizza and decorated cookies.

Barbara Lang, student adviser to transfer students in the Hotel School, who helped organize the event, said the idea was inspired by a speaker who talked about a similar food-preparation program that fostered teamwork among new students in a presentation last fall sponsored by Cornell Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy.