Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Chi Psi fraternity placed on provisional recognition status
June 27, 2013 Effective on May 17, 2013, the Chi Psi fraternity is placed on provisional recognition status, which is a probational status, for a period of no less than four calendar years, as a result of incidents that occurred in the Spring of 2013 involving physical and psychological forms of hazing, with some considered…
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University recognition suspended for Alpha Tau Omega
June 27, 2013 Effective June 10, 2013 the National Fraternity of Alpha Tau Omega revoked the charter of the Beta Theta Chapter, located at Cornell. As a result, the alumni house corporation has closed the facility located at 625 University Ave., and Cornell University recognition has been suspended. In accordance with the recognition policy, no…
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Diversity initiative update from President Skorton
May 1, 2013 As Cornell begins the second year of Toward New Destinations, our university-wide diversity planning effort, I call your attention to several significant updates to the TND framework that are important for all of us to consider as we implement our college and unit diversity initiatives this year. First, through the efforts of…
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Cornell sends condolences in wake of Boston Marathon tragedy
April 16, 2013 On behalf of the entire Cornell community, I extend heartfelt sympathies to all those who have suffered loss and injury from Monday’s unconscionable attack at the Boston Marathon. Much remains to be learned about what happened. At this time, we are not aware of anyone from our community who was injured. However,…
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University statement from Dean of Students Kent Hubbell
April 4, 2013 The arrest this week of a Cornell student charged with raping a fellow student has shocked our community. I am writing today to offer help and resources if you need them–and to ask for your help, too. It’s natural to feel anxious when learning of a reported crime near your home. If…
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President’s statement on changes in external relations
March 28, 2013 I write to announce some changes that will be occurring in the university’s external relations organization. Our colleague, Steve Johnson, recently told me of his decision to retire after 40 years of dedicated service to Cornell University. In his roles as assistant vice president for government relations, heading the Washington lobbying office,…
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President’s statement on bias and sexual misconduct
Feb. 28, 2013 Dear Members of the Cornell Community, I am writing to update you about the work we have been doing on the Ithaca campus to better understand and address sexual misconduct, including violence and assault, and bias in the wake of the issues that arose last semester. Overall, we have systems in place…
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Ruling upheld, but revocation of recognition may be shorter, in Phi Sigma Kappa appeal
Feb. 4, 2013 Vice President Susan Murphy has upheld the January 14 Review Board decision to revoke university recognition for the Phi Sigma Kapp fraternity. However, should the chapter meet all conditions set forth by the Review Board, the chapter will be eligible for provisional recognition as early as September 2013 instead of the full…
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Pi Kappa Phi placed on provisional recognition status
Jan. 14, 2013 Effective immediately, the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity is placed on provisional recognition status, which is a probationary status, for a period of no less than 4 years, as a result of three specific incidents occurring over a 12-month period, the most recent being an incident on November 4, 2012, involving underage and…
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University recognition revoked for Phi Sigma Kappa
Jan. 14, 2013 Effective immediately, Cornell University recognition is revoked for the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity for a period of no less than 1 year, as a result of an incident that occurred on December 2, 2012, involving underage and excessive alcohol consumption, as well as a history of similar infractions over the past two…
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University recognition revoked for Tau Epsilon Phi
Jan. 9, 2013 Effective immediately, Cornell University recognition is revoked for the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity for a period of no less than four years, as a result of an incident that occurred on Oct. 21, 2012, involving hazing. The chapter may appeal the decision within 48 hours. In accordance with the recognition policy no…
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Hurricane Sandy relief update
Oct. 31, 2012 Dear Friends, As our region begins to recover from Hurricane Sandy and all the devastation that accompanied it, I write to update you on how the Cornell community has been impacted and is responding. This has been a life-changing event for many Cornellians and their families and friends. Many of you have…
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Statement to campus community from President Skorton
Oct. 4, 2012 Dear Colleagues, I write to all of you today to address the incidents of violence and bias on and near the Ithaca campus that have left many of us feeling angry, anxious and vulnerable. Individual members of the Cornell community, as well as student, staff and faculty groups, have asked what is…
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Statement to campus community from Police Chief Kathy Zoner
Sept. 27, 2012 Listen to the statement Transcript: Hi everyone. This is Cornell Police Chief Kathy Zoner. For the past few weeks, this campus has been in active conversation about recent sexual assaults and bias crimes. I wanted to take a few moments to share with you what I can about our investigations and the…
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VP announces revised capital project spending guidelines
Sept. 26, 2012 Revised university capital project spending guidelines have been announced and are being shared by the Director of Capital Budget Tom Cole. These revised guidelines, approved by the Capital Funding and Priorities Committee, provide units across the university with assistance in determining how to proceed with capital projects and clear direction on funding…
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Aimee Turner named associate vice president and controller
Sept. 24, 2012 It is my pleasure to announce that Aimee Turner has accepted the position of Associate Vice President (AVP) and University Controller, beginning her Cornell career on October 17, 2012. As Anne Shapiro prepares to retire in December, Aimee will overlap service in this position, providing leadership for the financial accounting operations of…
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Revisions to the academic calendar
Sept. 12, 2012 Provost Kent Fuchs issued the following statement on revisions to the academic calendar: I have accepted and approved the recommendations for a revised academic calendar proposed by the university’s Calendar Committee and ratified by the Faculty Senate. Changes will go into effect beginning in the spring semester of 2014. Charged by the…
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Welcome back message from President Skorton
Sept. 6, 2012 Dear Colleagues: Whether you are new to Cornell or have been associated with our university for many years, I hope you share my excitement about the year to come. Like many of you, Robin and I have enjoyed greeting members of the Class of 2016, new transfer students, graduate and professional students,…
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Vice Presidents Susan Murphy and Mary Opperman inform community about serious assaults
Sept. 2, 2012 Dear members of the Cornell community, We are writing to inform you about incidents involving sexual assault that occurred early Sunday morning that targeted female members of our campus community. The Cornell University Police Department (CUPD) is asking for your assistance as they investigate these matters. Please be assured that the victims…
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Statement from Vice President Murphy
Aug. 20, 2012 I write to share with you information we received yesterday, Sunday, August 19, about a bias incident that occurred early Sunday morning in the Collegetown neighborhood near our campus. Let me begin by reiterating in the strongest terms that Cornell University deplores incidents such as this that tear at the fabric of…
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Mayor Myrick and President Skorton join voices to affirm community values
Aug. 20, 2012 We are joining together today to welcome newcomers to Ithaca and affirm our community values of civility and tolerance. Both of us are proud of the tradition of inclusiveness for which Ithaca is known – but, we also recognize that we do not live in an entirely bias-free environment. As representatives of…
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Review board grants Sigma Pi conditional recognition
Aug. 16, 2012 This week, a final determination was made on the recognition status of the Sigma Pi fraternity, in response to the bias related incident that occurred in the early morning hours of May 6, 2012. Earlier this summer, the Fraternity and Sorority Review Board – the body that reviews and recommends Cornell University…
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Message of condolence
June 4, 2012 Cornell President David Skorton issued the following message of condolence today: Dear Cornellians, I regret to share with you news of the passing of one of our students, Michael Curtis Augustin, a 33-year-old undergraduate in earth and atmospheric sciences. Michael died Sunday, June 3, at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif.…
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Public health information regarding the death of Cornell student Krista Marie Depew on May 26
May 28, 2012 The New York State Department of Health and the Washington and Tompkins County Health Departments have carefully reviewed all pertinent information surrounding the illness and death of Cornell University rising sophomore Krista Marie Depew, 19, in Albany on May 26, including the date of her departure from the Cornell campus. Public health…
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Message of condolence
May 26, 2012 Cornell President David Skorton issued the following message of condolence today: Dear Cornellians, It is with deep sadness that I share with you the news of the death of Krista Marie Depew, 19, due to an acute illness Saturday morning, May 26, at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y. On behalf of…
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