Cornell Blog: An unofficial blog about Cornell University

According to the Cornell press office, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has awarded a $25 million grant to Cornell University to construct an “information campus” for Computing and Information Science (CIS). Some juicy building details are included in the release:

Preliminary plans are for Gates Hall — estimated at 100,000 square feet and projected to cost about $50 million — to house a lecture hall, faculty offices, classrooms, laboratories, student project spaces and conference rooms. The building will make innovative use of technology to foster collaboration both on and off campus, and it will include facilities specifically designed for CIS faculty, researchers and students.

I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing. CMU (and other schools) are incredibly proud of their Gates buildings, but increased Microsoft presence on campus could stiffle innovation. Still, I doubt Cornell would ever complain about a free building donation, even if the money came dripping blood from Columbian drug lords. As long as it could be washed off…

Today on Ho Plaza a special commemorative ice sculpture was carved for a Hillel Event, Chicken soup for the Cornell soul.

#1 Way to Stay Warm On the First Day of Class! Monday, January 23, Memorial Room, Willard Straight Hall 11am-2pm. Come warm up with some FREE Chicken Soup (with veggie alternative!) from Cornell Hillel! Look for our ice sculpture on Ho Plaza!

In construction

The finished product

University of Iowa President David J. Skorton is going to be missed when he leaves to work at Cornell for the next term. My Facebook request to add him as my friend just approved, I have full access to view his wall, a message board where concerned, well-wishing, and even angry students leave their farewells.

The Angry Goodbyes:

• Bill Fafendyk writes, “I revoke my friendship.”
• Matthew Munstermann notes, “It’s a sad dark night on Iowa.”
• Hayden Hibbard whines, “I’d get out of Iowa, too. Wait, what am I even doing here?”

The Funny Farewells:

• Steve Sherman figures it out, “cornell? isn’t that where all the students throw themselves into the gorge? have fun, buckaroo.”
• Bridget Petesch suddenly realizes, “Most of us don’t even graduate in 4 years and you get out in 3?!?!?! please dont go…we love you here!”
• Tacy Geesaman has a desperate plea, “4104 v. 1…the numbers say it all. Stay at Iowa!!!”

The Teary Partings:

• Cat Gaa almost cries, “President Skorton, I will not be attending my graduation next May because I will not be shaking your hand. We’ll miss you.”
• Allison Lueders says, “I am sad that you are leaving but I have supported all of your decisions. Thanks so much for caring about the students and it will be extremely hard to find a unique and caring person like you to fill the job and I am sure that there will never be another president like you.”
• Wally Hawkins ponders, “Congrats! The Freshman class will always remember the president who threw us a party just to meet us.”

Update:

Note that a month and a half and 137 CU friends later, MetaEzra is “on top of things” with Skorton and Facebook. Lame.