Statements Prod

Tag: Opperman

  • Increase in COVID-19 cases on campus

    March 23, 2022 Dear Ithaca campus community, COVID-19 cases on the Ithaca campus are increasing beyond our predictions, indicating a substantial prevalence of the virus on campus. This rising transmission is likely due to a number of factors, including relaxing mask requirements, the emergence of the BA.2 variant, and increased social activities. While the health…

  • Start of the semester plans

    January 6, 2022 Dear Cornell faculty and staff, As we prepare for the start of the spring semester, we have been focusing on two important goals: protecting the health of our campus and the surrounding community and ensuring that our students have the best possible residential educational experience. And, as has been the case since…

  • 2021 Cornell Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct

    Nov. 29, 2021 Dear Cornell Community, Cornell conducts a survey every two years, in accordance with New York state law, to measure students’ knowledge of the university’s policies, procedures and resources, as well as their experiences related to sexual assault, sexual and gender-based harassment, stalking, and dating and domestic violence while attending Cornell. Today we…

  • Increase in COVID-19 cases and change in campus operations

    Aug. 27, 2021 Dear Ithaca campus community, As students arrived in Ithaca for the start of the semester, we expected to see a significant number of positive COVID-19 cases identified through our arrival and surveillance testing. In fact, our decision to reinstate mandatory surveillance testing for almost all students recognized this likelihood and was instituted…

  • Commencement ceremonies, public health requirements

    May 5, 2021 Dear Cornell Community, Following on last week’s announcement, we have now adjusted the Commencement schedule to allow graduates to bring up to two guests. In accordance with New York state guidelines, we will hold four Commencement ceremonies that will span both Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30; the Ph.D. Ceremony will…

  • Update on diversity and inclusion initiatives at Cornell

    Jan. 26, 2021 Dear Cornell community, Last semester, our campus community came together as never before to enable a successful, in-person campus experience. It was also a time of vigorous activity and debate on our campus, with faculty, staff and students investing significant time and effort towards the critical, long-term goal of changing societal structures…

  • Cornell marks Juneteenth with day of reflection

    June 17, 2020 Dear Colleagues, Juneteenth, the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, is celebrated on June 19. This year, as our country confronts its history of racism and oppression, it is especially important for us to pause on Juneteenth to reflect on how we – collectively and…

  • Statement on Prof. David Collum’s Tweets

    June 5, 2020 We watched the video of the events in Buffalo yesterday where police officers shoved an elderly man to the ground and walked past while he lay bleeding on the sidewalk. The behavior we saw was deplorable. We are heartened that the authorities took immediate actions and that the two police officers involved…

  • 2019 Cornell Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct

    Oct. 16, 2019 Dear Cornell Community, Since 2015, Cornell has conducted a survey every two years to measure students’ knowledge of the university’s policies, procedures and resources, as well as their Cornell experiences, related to sexual assault, sexual and gender-based harassment, stalking, and dating and domestic violence. Today, as we release the findings of our…

  • Statement on transgender support and protections

    Nov. 2, 2018 Members of the Cornell Community, The New York Times recently reported that the Trump administration is considering a change to the definition of sex under Title IX that would narrowly define gender as a biological, immutable condition determined at birth. Should this effort proceed and be successful, it would roll back recognition…

  • VP Lombardi and VP Opperman address recent Collegetown incidents

    March 12, 2018 Dear Ithaca Campus Community, Late last night, a Cornell student reported she was sexually assaulted while trying to gain access to her apartment in Collegetown. She was ultimately able to fight off the attacker who fled the scene. Cornell Police issued a crime alert early this morning and were able to provide…

  • 2017 Cornell Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct

    Oct. 24, 2017 Dear Cornell Community, The university today posted the findings of the 2017 Cornell Survey of Sexual Assault and Related Misconduct. New York state law (129-B) requires that all in-state universities conduct a survey of campus sexual violence every two years. This is the second such survey to measure students’ knowledge of Cornell’s…

  • Statement from Cornell University President Elizabeth Garrett on today’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative award

    Dec. 10, 2015 I am pleased that the Southern Tier is one of three upstate regions awarded $500 million from New York State through Governor Cuomo’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition. This initiative means Tompkins County and the rest of the Southern Tier will receive $100 million over each of the next five years to support…

  • Message of support to Charleston community in wake of shooting

    June 20, 2015 We write today to express our grief and sadness over the shooting on Wednesday at a landmark black church in Charleston, S.C. Our hearts go out to all of those impacted by this senseless act, especially any members of our community with ties to the region. We ask that you please keep…

  • Message of condolence on the death of staff member Angela Stedwell

    January 26, 2015 Dear Cornell Community, This morning we tragically lost a member of our Cornell family, Angela Stedwell, who died after being struck by a TCAT bus. Angela was a staff member in the College of Human Ecology. There is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the accident. I offer my deepest sympathy…

  • Skorton offers message of support to Cornell community

    December 2, 2014 Dear Members of the Cornell Community, As a community we have had a difficult Thanksgiving break, and our feelings of sadness and loss extend across our campus and beyond. I write to update you on the events of the past several days and to remind you of the resources that are available…

  • Employee survey update

    Sept. 30, 2013 Dear Colleagues: Over the last two years, our colleagues in the Employee Assembly and the Division of Human Resources have worked diligently to address the four university-wide issues identified in the staff survey conducted in Fall 2011: workload, career development and growth, supervisor feedback, and recognition of excellent work. Local initiatives in…

  • 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…

  • Skorton, Fuchs announce reorganization of central university administration

    Oct. 20, 2009 President David Skorton and Provost Kent Fuchs today announced a reorganization of the central university administration, aimed at establishing a more integrated leadership team, and streamlining university management. In all, the plan involves elimination of several positions in the central administration with a projected savings of over $2 million per year. Skorton…

  • Staff Retirement Incentive application acceptance

    April 10, 2009 I am pleased to announce that the university leadership has approved funding for all 432 applications to the Staff Retirement Incentive (SRI) program. Prospective retirees will receive a written notification delivered through the U.S. postal service to their respective homes addresses. In addition, all applicants received an e-mail notification today that includes…

  • Cornell announces actions to lessen pressure on endowment

    March 6, 2009 Dear Members of the Cornell Community: I write to update you on the state of our university as the economy worsens around the world and at home. Even though Cornell’s financial situation has become more challenging, I remain confident in our collective ability to re-imagine the university in ways that will not…

  • Cornell announces retirement incentives for long-service staff

    Feb. 27, 2009 To the Cornell Community: Today President David Skorton joins me in announcing two new voluntary retirement programs available to our long-serving staff that will provide them with meaningful options during these difficult financial times, while also helping to reduce overall spending at the university. The national and global economy has continued to…