Newsletter for Parents - Fall 2011

College expands Arabic courses

For the past two years, the college has been offering Arabic language courses, and this year is expanding that initiative to include courses on Arabic history and culture, as well as language.

Degree requirements evolving

In May, the faculty approved revisions to the college’s Bachelor of Arts requirements that are designed to help better transition first-year students to learning at Cornell, ensure graduates are well-versed in different areas of study and make sure students are well-prepared for an increasingly inter-connected world. 

Improvements all around campus

One of the most visible—and audible—updates to the Hilltop this fall will be felt throughout town as the 1882 King Chapel clock is ticking again and the carillon is ringing.  The Seth Thomas clock once again keeps time over campus and rings on the hour after being shut off for a year, and the carillons are ringing after about 18 months of silence.

Among dozens of other summer upgrades, King Chapel’s interior also was enhanced with new plaster and red carpet. The Spear Memorial sundial, which has stood near College Hall since 1906, was cleaned and a protective coating applied.

Learn more in the Cornell News Center

Cornell starts on-demand car rental program

No car? No problem, at least starting this year on campus. Cornell is going to have two cars available through the Hertz On Demand program. Students—or anyone, actually—can sign up on the Hertz website, and they’ll get a packet that includes a swipe card.

They can then reserve a car online and use that swipe car to get into the vehicle. Rentals are available by the hour or by the day, and include gas and insurance.

The advantage is the drivers 18 and over are able to use the service, said Tera Kringle, director of student activities, so they can actually take advantage of the service, and take trips to Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, or anywhere else.

Learn more on the Hertz site

Take a (virtual) tour of campus

Cornell has a beautiful, historic campus, a distinctive way of teaching, and hundreds of opportunities for students to experience. You can see some of those for yourself by visiting the college’s recently-launched virtual tour. The site has three sections: A Sense of Place, which covers the location; Immerse Yourself, which explains Cornell’s One Course At A Time schedule; and Get Involved, which showcases the dozens of ways students can take part in campus life. Cornell is a fantastic place to live and learn; now you can see that for yourself.

Take the Virtual Tour 

Meet Cornell’s new president

Cornell’s new president, Jonathan Brand, was born into a family of educators. His father was a principal, and his mother was an English professor, poet, and creative writer. Education was part of his life from the beginning. He majored in history and French at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent a year abroad in Paris. That year, he said, had its challenges, but it shaped his life too.

He earned a master's degree in French literature from the University of Michigan and spent three years in California teaching French. He then decided to switch gears and go to law school.

In October, he was named the 15th president of Cornell College. He started July 1.

Learn more in the Cornell Report

Inauguration set for April 12, 2012

The inauguration of incoming President Jonathan Brand will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2012. All faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are invited.

Nov. 11: Twin Cities

Feb. 2, 2012: Southern Florida at the home of John Smith '71 and honorary alumna Dyan Smith

March 22, 2012: Phoenix

March 24, 2012: Denver

Events for St. Louis and Des Moines are in the planning stage.

Brand’s inauguration is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012. Inauguration weekend will showcase Cornell students, faculty, staff and the campus itself.

Some events planned for the weekend include a community picnic, orchestra and choir concerts,  performances of “Defying Gravity,” the annual Student Symposium, senior art exhibits, and a softball game.

Pathways to Success

Success. It’s what Cornell students hope to have after four years on the Hilltop. What does success look like? How does the College help students find their path to success? Read three examples of student experiences that highlight the ways the Career Engagement Center is able to help each student find their way to success.