University Statements

Dear Students,

Welcome back to campus. I hope everyone had a relaxing break.

We have been giving a great deal of thought to strategies to support the health and protect the safety of our community. By now you have heard about or seen the temporary fencing on campus bridges. As an architect, I look forward to the day when we have much more pleasing, permanent approaches for enhancing safety while preserving the natural and man-made beauty of our campus.

The fencing is only the most visible response to the challenges we've experienced together this year. Another response is from Gannett Health Services, which has streamlined the process for connecting after-hours callers to a nurse or counselor and will soon be increasing the availability of appointments in Counseling and Psychological Services. In our residence halls, staff will again drop by each room to visit everyone in their care. And we are continually updating caringcommunity.cornell.edu with information on how to take good care of ourselves and others as we head toward project due dates and final exams.

The traditional advice for the end of the semester still applies. Try to get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, and drink lots of water. Make good use of study breaks: Take a walk around campus, go for a workout, meet friends for coffee and commiseration ("veni, venti, venting"). And remember to talk to each other. Watch out for your friends and express your concerns. The benefits of this advice are widely documented. Treating yourself very well is the best way to assure that you will perform very well.

Best regards,

Kent Hubbell '69
Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students