Slope Magazine: Spring 2015 by slopetech

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Jessica Sion CREATIVE DIRECTOR Danielle Grinberg PHOTOGRAPHY Mariel Terr PRESIDENT Yasmin Alameddine VP OF CONTENT Zoe Forster* WRITERS Yasmin Alameddine Alice Anichkin Claire Baum Jeremy Candelas Ashley Chacon Jacky Falkenberg Zoe Forster Gaby Keane* Danielle Kellner Asha McLachlan Anna Ravenelle Sydney Reade* Christina Reid Jessica Sion Alison Spandorfer *copy editor Kelly Webb Zoe Zaneteas*

MAG STAFF jessicasion

letter from the editor

As my Junior year comes to an end and the world beyond Ithaca looms uncomfortably close, I find that everywhere I turn, someone is offering a friendly word of caution against a career in publishing. “Print media is irrelevant,” they rattle off, likely quoting an article they skimmed on The Atlantic. I agree: websites like BuzzFeed and Twitter have catered to our alarmingly short attention span and changed the way we consume media. And I will be the first to admit my growing fondness for (and fidelity to) a good listicle. Still, when I hold this print edition in my hands, I can’t help but feel a modicum of regret. The Internet guarantees a certain sense of security that dismisses all attention to detail; why fret when any typo can be remedied with the click of a button? There’s something to be said about the care and consideration that goes into such a permanent collection of work. You may not see it, but cradled between these pages are months of brainstorming and editing; they speak to unceasing emails at 3:00 in the morning, of dead-

mission

statement

As Cornell’s multimedia powerhouse, Slope Media Group is a leader in Cornell-related media and entertainment, delivering a creative, student perspective on everything that matters to the Big Red community. Slope is for students, by students.

lines, extensions, and extended extensions; they understand the thrill of reading a kick-ass first draft and the strain of back-to-back meetings followed by seemingly endless revisions; and they contain the laugh-out-loud articles and touching narratives that make it all worth it. Of course, none of this would exist without my incredible team of extraordinary and impassioned writers, our mind-blowingly talented design editor, or Slope Media’s dedicated executive board. Each and every one of you has contributed immeasurable value and perspective to this issue. So, without further adieu, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to Slope Media Magazine’s Spring 2015 issue. Whether you decide to peruse our sesquicentennial-inspired chat with Corey Earle, laugh along with the Arts Quad statues, or read about your two favorite email celebs - enjoy this little piece of Cornell. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find yourself thinking print media isn’t so irrelevant after all.

a day in the life of the

arts quad

statues GABY KEANE

The clocktower chimes eight times as hoards of tired, blearyeyed students trudge their way up Libe Slope. Ezra Cornell: Ah, here come the female students doing that strange, early-morning walk from Collegetown to North Campus. I always wonder why their outfits are so sparse when the weather is so cold. Perhaps they are testing the latest inventions by Cornell fiber scientists. Andrew Dickson: Ah, here come the eager freshmen headed to Olin right as it opens to secure a good table. They’ll soon realize what I’ve watched every undergraduate realize during their time here: sleep is approximately 80 million times more important than studying. A.D.: Really? Sleet and hail again? You’d think that after almost 100 years of sitting through Ithaca winters, I’d be used to this - but nope, it’s still way too cold. It’s not fair that Ezra gets his back to the wind AND his name on the school.

E.C.: I’m concerned for these students discussing their plans to go to Rulloff’s later. Edward is a very troubled man - I certainly hope they do not go to his home for a “pitcher.” A.D.: I say, the construction work occurring behind me is very noisy. I have heard it is supposed to end December 2015, but I’ve been here long enough to know that the actual end date will be somewhere around May 2035. E.C.: Another student on their way to this Wines class. Learning about wine for a class? In my day, we would just call that “breakfast.” A.D.: Where could this dense swarm of students be headed? Ah, I hear shouts of free popcorn in Willard Straight Hall. I see free food is just as popular now as it was in 1865. E.C.: I smell fish…there must be a hockey game against Harvard tonight. LGR!

E. C.: I bet Andrew is complaining about the weather again. He’s right, though - it is rather chilly. If only I were still wearing that sweater the students so kindly knit for me. It was foolish, but quite warm.

A.D.: Well, here comes the midday wintry hail storm, right on time. 150 years later and it’s still the same ol’ Ithaca. I’m going to make eye contact with Ezra and guilt him for choosing to build the university in this Arctic hell.

A.D.: Ugh, that blasted glass needle is catching the sun and shining right in my eye. Yet another reason why I am confused as to what it is doing here. Go home, fake clocktower!

E.C.: *avoids A.D.’s eye contact*

E.C.: Oh look, a tour is coming this way. Always a pleasure to see such fresh faces. Oh, they’re walking by me now. Let’s go, Ezra - it’s smize time. A.D.: Here comes a student with his head buried in a chemistry textbook. He must be on his way to a prelim. Forget that last minute studying, my dear. Someone is sure to destroy the curve with a 99%, anyway. E.C.: Oh, it must be lunch time. I can see the Terrace salad line from here. A.D.: Hm, I wonder what these students mean in this conversation they are having about “tweets.” Perhaps they are ornithology students in CALS? Regardless, this @JustinBieber bird sounds like a pointless species.

A.D.: If I overhear one more conversation about unpaid internships, mark my words, I will administer floggings. Work without pay? Pish posh. In my day, you were given at least a couple farm animals or bales of hay. E.C.: I don’t believe it - the sun is finally out, yet these students still walk with their heads down, their eyes glued to their hand squares. Those squares must be fascinating. I suppose I’ll understand when I get my own…eventually. A.D.: Oh goodness, here comes a quarter carder. Look away, Andrew. Pretend like you’re busy. E.C.: I’m bored. Maybe tonight will be the night the chimes ring at midnight and Andrew and I can finally get off these pedestals and finish that arm wrestling match from 1942. Both: I miss Arts Quad Guy. campus

lifehacks for study abroad

Ashley CHACON in Dublin

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to study abroad! After months of deciding where to go, applying, and anxiously awaiting the reply, you can finally breathe again. Except wait - you’re going abroad. You’ll actually be living in another country for four months! Before leaving to study abroad in Ireland this semester, I was frantically asking all of my friends who had studied abroad for advice. To ensure that you get the most out of your experience overseas, I’m here to help ease some of those fears and provide you with a few lifehacks to prepare you for your semester abroad.

Travel Adapter

Okay, first things first - you’ll need need a travel adapter if you want to be able to use any of your current electronics that require charge (think: computer, phone, and camera). These are fairly cheap and can range from about $7 to $25. Mine was a bit more on the expensive side, but it is a multiple country adapter and can be used in the U.K. and Ireland, continental Europe, and even Australia. I highly recommend getting one of these all-in-one types if you plan on traveling to other places during your time abroad. This will not only save you money in the end, but it will also save you the headache that comes with the realization that you don’t have a working charger and you can’t speak the language in the country you are in.

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Viber

Right after buying your travel adapter, install this free app! Viber has allowed me stay in contact with both the people I meet abroad and the people back home. This app allows you to text, group message, send pictures, and - best of all call any other Viber-users over WiFi. My friends and I have a giant group to coordinate dinners, travel plans, going out, and everything in between. But make sure you install it at home. Viber texts you a code that is required to enter in order to begin using it. So you need to be able to receive texts when you first install the app. Some people here in Ireland never downloaded it and haven’t been able to keep in touch. Though their roommates let them know what’s going on, I know most of them wish they’d known about it before they moved across the Atlantic for four months.

Google Maps

Most students studying abroad have either no phone or a cheap Pay As You Go phone, so anything that requires Internet needs to be done in areas with WiFi. This is really frustrating when you’re in an unfamiliar place and need to find your way to another destination. So here is something I learned: if you launch Google Maps in an area with WiFi with the directions you need, it will keep working without WiFi or 3G on your way! This was extremely helpful the other day when my friend and I needed to make a bus and weren’t sure where we were.We quickly in a hotel lobby (most of which have free WiFi) and then ran to where we needed to be with the help of Google Maps!

Ryanair

This lifehack only applies to those of you going to Europe. Ryanair is an airline that is by far the cheapest way to travel. I’ve had people recommend it to me for years, and all my friends abroad use it to get around Europe. L e t me put it in perspective for you: a one way ticket from Dublin to London is €14 ($15.15). A ticket back from London to Dublin is €14. So an entire return trip from Dublin to London would only cost you €30 ($32.46). You can’t beat these prices! The only downside is their strict policy on carry-ons and luggage - so if you’re going to go with Ryanair, pack light.

Local Lingo

Those of you going to an English-speaking country may think you don’t need to do any additional research in that department. Wrong. These past few months in Ireland, I’ve heard what sounds like “where’s the crack?” on multiple occasions. As I eventually learned, “craic” is an Irish slang word for “fun” or “good time.” There are also a number of English words that mean different things overseas (e.g. Chips = French Fries, Crisps = Chips). So be sure to learn a couple of the popular phrases before you leave - so that when you arrive, not only will the locals be impressed with you, but you also won’t be lost in translation.

Hopefully, these tips help you prepare for your time abroad. But remember - no matter how much advice you receive, this experience needs to be your own. Even if at first it’s not what you expect, try to keep your head up. Everyone gets homesick from time to time, but in the end, this will be one of the most life changing experiences of your life. So again, congrats to you! You chose to step outside of your comfort zone and you definitely won’t regret it.

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CORNELLIANS OF THE PAST

DIDN’T GIVE UP and neither should you CHristina Reid Being a junior in college has become synonymous with crisis. What am I doing with my life? When will I ever have a normal sleep schedule? Did I shower today? These neverending questions plague my mind daily. As we inevitably near the end of the school year, one by one, each Cornellian tends to feel the same way: broken down and worn out. And it’s only natural - all of us eat, breathe, and sleep dedication. We’re passionate about learning and being involved in our extracurriculars, and we also love a good mental health day every once in a while. In the midst of our daily struggles, we often lose sight of the bigger picture - the fact that our work will some day mean something. Remembering that all of the work we put in will yield a greater reward is easier said than done. We forget the long-term goals in order to make room for the short-time goals: acing a prelim, landing a summer internship, finishing your work in time to go out. I implore all of you Cornellians to take a step back and breathe. When all of the walls seem like they are caving in, just know that the long-term is just as achievable as the short-term. And especially when the tough gets going, do not - and I repeat, do not - give up! It’s times like these when I say to myself, “What if the coolest Cornell alumna a.k.a. Ruth Bader Ginsburg had given up during her stint on the hill?” The answer to that question is a bleak one: the Supreme Court would unfortunately be short of one amazing bad ass. Ginsburg has talked openly about how rigorous her education was and just how crucial it was in shaping her thinking. During her time at Cornell, she had the privilege of being taught by Vladimir Nabokov, began dating her future husband Martin Ginsburg, and was even a sorority girl. She didn’t let the high pres-

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sure of her coursework (or the cold weather) deter her from making it. Which is why you shouldn’t either! Imagine if Bill Nye had given up. Scary thought, isn’t it? What if he had let the monster that is mechanical engineering get the best of him? There would be no “Bill Nye the Science Guy!” There would be little kids aimlessly roaming the streets, not understanding that science could be fun. And the young minds that he sparked would have been otherwise obsessed with a silly cartoon. It’s all a chain reaction. If he had given up, then who would we chase around campus when he makes his surprise appearances? Most of us won’t have the pleasure of making it to the “Notable Alumni” section of Cornell’s Wikipedia page. But all of us have the immense potential to make a difference in this world. It is the most incredible feeling knowing that when we sit down in our classrooms, debate policies, and work together on problem sets, we are in the midst of greatness. In my government classes, I could be rubbing elbows with a next world leader. When I walk into Statler, I could be hurrying past a blossoming real estate tycoon. And who knows - that quartercarder I just walked by on Ho Plaza could be developing the newest, coolest app or spearheading an initiative for a not-for-profit. Whatever the struggle is, remember that you have the power and the resiliency to prove that your work in this world will one day matter. Give it all you’ve got and don’t deprive the world of another informed and conscious mind. Maybe you have what it takes to be the first President of the United States to have graduated from Cornell. We need them all.

GROUP PROJECTS: how to make them work zoe forster Most people would agree that Cornell students are concerned about their GPA and academic achievements. You would think that group projects would not be a problem, given that your peers care about their work just as much as you do. However, this is not always the case. I often hear students complain about group projects and how there is always one or two social loafers, or ‘slackers,’ who contribute little to nothing but end up with the same grade as everyone else. No one wants to be the student who complains about another group member’s lack of effort. But if you find yourself being penalized for a member’s poor contribution, then you need to reevaluate how you set up the team project. Group projects are manageable and even helpful in some cases, and teachers are not going to get rid of them. So it’s important that you find a way to make them work. First, I would suggest making each group member’s work identifiable. For example, create a Google doc and assign each person a different task, highlighting each person’s responsibility. With this, each person can identify another group member’s contribution. This is sometimes easier said than done, especially if the professor assigns your group members. Random assignment is supposed to simulate a real work environment, as it is beneficial to understand how to work with different personalities. Despite this, I find it is best when students pick their own group members. Yes, students are more likely to pick group members they already know - but professors have to remember that students are more likely

to make their lives easier by picking group members with similar schedules or who live in the same dorm as them. I was once assigned a group project with three Korean students who spoke to one another in Korean. Was I supposed to tell them to stop speaking in a language I did not understand? Would that be offensive? It was clear that, given the option, they would not have chosen to work with me, and I would not have chosen to work with them. In the end, I blamed the professor for the bad grade I received. If you’re going to assign me my group members, at least give me group members who speak the same language as me. Another important tip for team projects is to meet with your group early. Get to know one another and agree upon the direction you’re headed in. Start to get a feel for the different group members. You’re smart - you can tell who the slacker is going to be from just one meeting. Some professors even include a component in which group members are required to rate each other’s performance, and the performance factors into each person’s individual grade. If you find that the slacker is reaping the benefits of your hard work, you might want to suggest that your professor include this component in the group project. There are many pros and cons to team projects. Some students claim that they would rather do the whole project themselves. Sometimes you end up with a great group of people. Sometimes you end up with a group that doesn’t speak the same language as you. Whatever happens, you must learn to make it work.

says he’s going to help but he’s not. Does 99% of the work.

Has no idea whats going on the whole time.

disappears at the very beginning and doesn’t show up again till the very end

campus

Collegetown is as close to urban as Cornell gets, and this unincorporated area of campus just south of Ho Plaza has seen some dramatic transformation over the past several decades. The bars change, the pizza shops rotate and move around and, recently, new bubble tea joints seem to be popping up all over the place. Consumer trends have definitely played their part in shaping the sorts of restaurants and bars that come up in the area. So what’s up with Kung Fu Tea? CU Nooz recently released an article titled “Kung Fu Tea Hopes to Capture Bubble Tea Market on South Side of Dryden Road Between College and Eddy.” Clearly, there is no gap in the market for this delicious drink - yet, somehow, Kung Fu Tea seems packed every time I walk by. The new tea place is actually a chain with a bunch of restaurants in semi-random locations. Though why they decided to open a restaurant in the middle of Ithaca directly across the street from another bubble tea place is still a mystery to me (but if they can generate the business, props to them). On the opposite end of the spectrum, whoever owns that spot on the west side of College Ave. where Yogurt Crazy used to be (and Teatime briefly debuted) clearly can’t seem to get the hint: a mediocre froyo place just isn’t going to catch fire in a town that resembles the arctic tundra for over half of the year. Take some tips from CTB. It opened in 1976 and has remained a

popular staple ever since; one might even call it a “beacon” on College Avenue. In 2012, The Royal Palm Tavern (referred to endearingly as “the Palms” by the bar’s regulars) closed after 71 years of business. Joe Leonardo, it’s former owner, remarked at the closing how students spend far less time in Collegetown than they had in decades prior. The rise in the legal drinking age encouraged many underclassmen to continue partying at fraternities and other non-Collegetown locations, cutting a substantial amount of the Collegetown weekend traffic. Ithaca’s last-call policy of 1am also challenges bars’ abilities to operate profitably. Leonardo explained that the bar really only generated revenue 3 hours a day, a few days a week. Speaking of the bar scene, Cornell used to have one in RPCC (then called “North Campus Union,” or “NCU” for short). Yes, that’s right - the “Thirsty Bear Tavern” was the Dunbars of North Campus back in the 70s and early 80s. The bar shut down after the national drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. That area of RPCC is now home to Nasty’s, which is similarly known to cater to a less-than-sober crowd. Dunbars also used to be called the “Gin Mill” - but don’t worry, they’ve always had the free popcorn. For those who don’t already know, this will be Pixel Lounge’s last semester in Collegetown. Yes, unfortunately, both Pixel and Club Sudz will be demolished to make way for a apartment complex that is sched-

uled for completion in August of 2016. My landlord, who owns a few buildings in the surrounding area, practically jumped for joy upon hearing this. Compared to the other somewhat quieter bars, Pixel generates a tremendous number of noise complaints from the surrounding apartment buildings. The Lounge was temporarily suspended between January 12th and 27th earlier this year for “New York State Liquor License Infractions,” but some students will miss the permanent absence of this popular Collegetown spot. Pixel’s current owner, Steve Fontana, hopes that the addition of more apartments in Collegetown (which has a remarkably small supply relative to demand) will lower prices to an affordable level for most students. Fontana has no current plan to replace Club Sudz, the busy Eddy street laundry facility that dates all the way back to my father’s days at Cornell. From what I understand, a select few realtors have a monopoly over most of the Collegetown real estate (read: $1000 rent). Clearly, changes in social trends, student preferences, and even our economy have shaped and will continue to shape the development of the mini student city. For now, the future developments of Collegetown are still unknown. One question on my mind: “Is anything ever going to happen to that old, vacant ‘Green Cafe’ space on College Ave?”

claire baum

evolution the

collegetown

claire baum

from bars to bubble tea campus

animosity

MAJOR 11

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Why the competition between majors needs to end... anna ravenelle

When I tell people I’m an English major, there comes to be a distinct shift in our interactions from that point on. When I complain about homework, my grievances are met with eye rolls. When I take a mental health break to watch Netflix, I’m told that of course I have time for that. Then I usually get one of two questions: “Oh, so you want to teach?” or “What do you want to do with that?” - both of which are almost always accompanied by a tone suggesting I’d be better off asking people, “Do you want fries with that?” than trying to get a college degree. I am not alone. Sit in mixed company for a while, scroll through Yik Yak, or just walk around campus and you’ll hear it: major stereotypes have pervaded our campus to such an extent that they have now become accepted truths. Hotelies only learn to fold napkins and valet cars. Pre-med freshmen are just kidding themselves, they’ll switch out soon enough. Engineers don’t know how to shower or socialize. Archies don’t actually exist (except on Dragon Day). These stereotypes are not only largely untrue, but also victimize large groups of people in generalizing them based on their choice of study. What about the fact that hotelies manage to successfully run a AAA Four Diamond hotel for the entire HEC weekend? Their hands-on education is unparalleled on campus. Yes, some people enter Cornell as pre-med and ultimately change their minds, but they should be applauded for finding their true passion - not derided for it. Everybody showers, engineers included. As for socializing, there’s no way Duffield can be that consistently crowded without friends being made. Architects must exist – just look through the windows of Milstein or Rand at any point during the day. These stereotypes are not only used to box people into specific qualities, but to disparage majors deemed “easy.” As someone with such a major, I am not allowed to complain about my workload to my friends with “hard” majors because - like everything else at Cornell - it quickly becomes a competition. My three hundred pages of reading a week does not compare to a problem set. Nothing at Cornell will ever compare to a problem set (“Except maybe a CS project!” quips my CS roommate, frantically coding, when I mention this topic to her). I am considered

“lucky” because I don’t have any prelims this semester, despite the fact that more than once I have been expected to write 25+ pages in a week’s span. I am not allowed to feel overwhelmed, overstressed, or overworked. I am not writing this to complain, nor am I writing to vilify those who feel they are overwhelmed by the amount of work expected of them. I am writing this to say that every student at Cornell chose his or her major for a reason, and every major learns how to do things that the rest of us couldn’t or wouldn’t want to do. I could never study the physics required for engineering or the orgo required to be pre-med, but my engineering and pre-med friends have repeatedly told me they could never write a short story or a paper on Shakespeare. Everybody’s strengths are different. When Ezra Cornell said, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study,” do you think he imagined this

one-upmanship and animosity between us? There is no such thing as an easy major at Cornell. We are all attending a world-class institution. We all trudge uphill in the snow November through April to get to class. We all have busy schedules and other commitments: clubs, jobs, Greek life, project teams, friends, family, Netflix. We are all assigned an overwhelming amount of work (whether or not you do it all is up to you). My English coursework is different from that of an engineer, a hotelie, an ILRie, a pre-med, and so on - but every study at Cornell is a competitive one, so let’s remove the competition between them.

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The coolest people you’ll ever meet!

Mongolian Station

ENGINEERS

farmers? or investment bankers? unclear.

ENGLISH MAJORS

ART MAJORS

GREEKS

CALS

ARCHIES

ROTC

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if they exist

YOU ARE HERE RPCC Dining Hall (3rd floor)

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*inspired by Mean Girls

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The

women behind the

emails jessica sion

It seems as though almost every student at Cornell University is on a firstname basis with Kathy Zoner and Denice Cassaro - but while their legendary emails have become a highly-anticipated part of our weekly routine, most of us know little beyond their font of choice. For this semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue, Slope Media Magazine had the opportunity to meet with both Cornell celebs and get to know a little more about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;women behind the emails.â&#x20AC;?

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Kathyzone

What is your job title and description? My job title is Chief of Police. As you might imagine, it’s kind of an all-encompassing position on a university campus. I not only manage the law enforcement aspect of Cornell, but I’m also in charge of the access-control program, my offices monitor the Clery compliance interactions for management - for lack of a better description and I’m called on from time-to-time around other security needs outside of the Ithaca campus. How long have you been working at Cornell? I am approaching my twenty-fifth year…did I get that right? Yeah – getting ready to end my twenty-fourth and start my twenty-fifth. I started here as a dispatcher and then transitioned to patrol and then moved through a couple different ranks on the way up to becoming chief in 2009. How did you end up at Cornell? [laughs] My grandmother used to call it “the happy accident.” So I moved to the Ithaca area in ’89, about two years before [working as a dispatcher], and took on a job at Cargill salt – Ithaca was just an area I was interested in moving to. Cargill’s main salt product is road salt and there were two winters consecutively that we didn’t see much snow… That’s lucky. …well it’s not very good if you want to hold a job in the road salt business. So that’s where I was – last hired, first fired, most likely. So I started job hunting, and Cornell was the number one employer in the area. I was looking for something that was outdoors, changed frequently, and good-paying. I saw the patrol position posted in the Cornell jobs newspaper and thought, “well how hard could that be?” I think I had a perception that a lot of people have about campus law enforcement – that they are security-level people. [I was] unaware at the time that I was entering into a true swornlaw enforcement division. Almost right away, I was shipped off to a police academy and went through about 5 months of police academy. What would you say the most rewarding aspect of your job is? There are a number of things that make

me feel happy. When people don’t have to think about their safety and security, that’s really rewarding. It doesn’t mean that we’re not doing anything – it just means that you don’t have to think about it; it’s off your plate. I also love problem solving. If I can’t solve a problem, it’s very frustrating for me, and I will keep working at it and trying other angles. I’ve learned patience is a big part of the job. Was it your idea to start emailing the student body? So that came from a brainstorming session around a very difficult time when we had multiple reports of stranger sexual assaults coming in over a very short period of time. […] I couldn’t communicate case details, but the population was very upset and scared about their general safety and security on campus. So I needed an avenue. How could I be more accessible to the people who, understandably, had a lot of questions? A web page? An FAQ? I don’t remember who initially said it, but I do remember that the main idea was regular, positive communication. Something people could count on. If the only communication you get from us are the crime alerts, then that doesn’t make you feel very happy. So why not talk about some of the dayto-day stuff that are the underpinnings of why people start to feel unhappy? I mean – you’re already miserable because you just about got run over by a car five times on your way to class. That’s actually affecting you more frequently than a high-level crime. So what was initially a short-term idea to communicate regularly a little bit about the cases has since morphed into this weekly thing that’s working very well. What’s your favorite thing about Cornell? I love the variety of life that thrives here. I think I have always been open to different people’s viewpoints, different people’s standings. I’ve always been a strong supporter of right versus wrong, but there’s a lot more gray area in my mind now than when I first started. Who is one person you admire most, and why? Oh boy. Real or imaginary? [laughs] I admire a lot of people for a lot of things…I’d almost rather talk about a type of people. I admire people who are willing to stand up and fight for what they believe in. I think

it’s important that those voices are heard. I think that a lot of the positive changes that have happened in the world are because people took a stand against things they felt were unfair and didn’t believe in. Part of the reason I think I took on this job as a career is because I believe change is possible from the inside – it doesn’t always have to come from the outside. So if I want something to be better and all I’m going to do is stand on the outside and criticize it, then I don’t feel like I’m part of the solution. So this is one way that I feel like I can be part of the solution. And I wasn’t sure that I was conscious of that as I was going in. What are some of your hobbies? I like being outdoors; I like reading a lot of fiction; I like to be entertained, so if they can write me a non-fiction book that’s entertaining, I’m good. Textbooks – not so much. I like horses and now I have a space and a place for it; I like skiing; I love playing with my wife and my kids. Just kind of getting out and being out. But I also like my alone time – this is a very social job, and in order to recharge, I like to take my quiet time. Who has been your favorite Slope Day performer to date? [laughs] I don’t think I could pick one out. What about an ideal Slope Day performer? You know what, it wouldn’t be one. Before they went to mainstream acts, they brought in a lot of local acts. I loved it when they brought in the local bands – I’m a big supporter of the underdog. There’s a lot of talent around here; any opportunity we can give people of local talent to be in that kind of a setting and that kind of exposure…I just think there are so many fantastic local bands. And I’m fairly eclectic in my musical taste, so I like pretty much anything. What is one message or piece of advice you have for students at Cornell? Whatever you do, try to see the other person’s perspective. Would I want someone else to act this way to me? Do your best to just be respectful and civil; engage others as you wish to be engaged. Stand up for what you believe in and be open to the fact that others may not believe the same as you.

campus

17 CAMPUS

denisecassar

What is your job title and description?

everyday, and that works for me.

Associate director for Student Leadership Engagement and Campus Activities (SLECA). So right now I have staff that work with the student union board, the Bears Den, the Willard Straight Hall Resource Center downstairs, and community center programs. I co-advise the Student Union board, and I’m an advisor for CUTonight as well as Welcome Weekend. So those are the things that are in my direct purview. For the department I’m in, SLECA, we work together to have a vision of what we’re doing. We work around student leadership and around assessment. But mainly my job is community building.

Was it your idea to start emailing the student body?

How long have you been working at Cornell? Thirty years. I love it here! What can I tell you? How did you end up at Cornell? I started out as a hall director of Balch many years ago. Some of the buildings weren’t even there yet – like Mews, Court and Bouer. At that time, in ’84 or ’85, North Campus was a mix of upperclassmen and freshmen. I had been finishing off a graduate degree at Saint Laurence University, and I was really interested in psychology and counseling. I was looking for a place that would allow me to do that kind of work – so the hall director job came up and it was perfect, because I also needed a place to live at the time. What does an average day look like for you? I don’t have an average day. That’s what Chief Zoner said! There are certainly things that are on my calendar that I do – like checking in with my staff and checking in on the students. It’s varied, which is actually what I love about it. I don’t have a traditional day, except that I know I will be interacting with students and some wonderful colleagues. That’s the

It was. So the story around this is as follows: I became the Program Director for Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC) about fifteen years ago. I was trying to figure out a way to let people on North Campus know about the activities that were going on, and email was just starting at the time. It was archaic, to say the least. So I would get a list of names, and I’d have to manually input all these email addresses...about 3,000 I think? I’m very grateful for how easy it is now to do emails – I’ve gone from 3,000 to about 15,000 people. Now it’s a combination of alumni, students across campus, graduate students, some faculty and some staff. I had no idea that it was going to turn into what it is now. It was about three or four years in when it dawned on me that something was going on. I’m a bit of an introvert, believe it or not; I like being able to walk around campus without people knowing who I am. So anyways, I was going to the library for a bit, and I had my ID out and wasn’t really thinking about it – when suddenly, somebody behind the counter goes, “Are you THE Denice Cassaro?” And I thought, “Uh oh, my anonymity is now gone.” What is your favorite quote you’ve used? I don’t have favorites. For me, even with songs and musicians, I know there’s always something new I may like. So with quotes, it’s more like, “what’s appealing or speaking to me today?” Sometimes I just want something funny, sometimes I just want something different. I don’t necessarily agree with all my quotes, but it’s a perspective. I’m just trying to share different perspectives, as long as they’re not offensive. I know that people make fun of my Comic Sans – but I love that font. I feel like I’ve gone retro. I don’t want it to look like just another, overly polished mass email coming from the Cornell administration.

So moving past the emails and your job, what are some of your hobbies? I’m one of those people who adopts animals from the ASPCA; I have two dogs and one cat, and I like spending time with them. I also like going to the movies and reading; I like being exposed to new ideas and new music. I like being outside – so I’m really happy that the sun is coming out! What is one thing you love about Cornell? The reason I’ve been here for 30 years is because I love the work I do with you guys. It probably sounds corny, but it’s the truth. What’s an Ithaca eatery you’d recommend? Well I haven’t tried the Ethiopian restaurant out yet! It’s down by the commons. I love Ethiopian food. There’s also this falafel place…you know where Maxie’s is? It’s literally around the corner, right on the street. I really like it there. And then there’s a diner – I happen to like diners – on Lincoln Street… it’s called Lincoln Street Diner. There’s one waitress who’s got a bit of a dynamic personality; she’s a little edgy and I like that. I like places that are a little off the beaten path – there’s a Vietnamese restaurant I like in Collegetown, of course I don’t remember the names of any of these places… Who would be your ideal Slope Day performer? Oh my God…I wasn’t ready for that one. It’s off-the-beaten path again – I was listening to them this morning. I happen to like international music, so the latest thing I was listening to today – and it’s edgy, too – is Garmarna. They’re Scandinavian. Hold on, I may be able to connect this to the speakers... [proceeds to play us three songs in her office] But that’s just my favorite for today. It changes everyday.

CAMPUS

things you didn’t know aboutCORNELL

zoe zaneteas

As all Cornellians surely know, 2015 marks the the 150th anniversary of the charter that established Cornell University. That’s right: On April 27, 1865, Cornell became an institution where “any person could find instruction in any study.” And not a few interesting things have happened since then. Corey Ryan Earle ‘07 knows almost everything there is to know about our school. For the past few years, Professor Earle has taught what may be one of the most popular classes here at Cornell, AMST 2001: The First American University (also affectionately called “storytime with Corey” by its students). In honor of the sesquicentennial, Slope Media had the opportunity to chat with Professor Earle and hear about some of the more interesting facts Cornellians may not know about their school. Here are just a few more reasons to be proud to be a part of the Big Red community:

white because of Cornell. A Campbell’s executive was taken with the colors of our football jerseys and convinced the company to adopt them.

1. Cornell is the only Ivy League school with an English motto, others being in Latin or Greek.

8. In 1968, the student government voted itself out of existence because it thought itself useless.

2. The fast-food industry would be completely different without Cornell. A Cornellian invented chicken nuggets and introduced them to McDonald’s, along with the Quarter Pounder, Filet-O-Fish, and their delicious apple pie. Arby’s and Burger King were also founded by Big Red alums.

9. Beneath the Arts Quad lie the university archives. The archives contain incredibly important documents such as a manuscript of the Gettysburg Address written by Lincoln himself and a copy of the 13th Amendment.

3. The Campbell’s soup can is red and

19 campus

served brains. It also includes a piece of the Clocktower Pumpkin.

4. Both the music and lyrics of “Puff the Magic Dragon” were written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, two Cornellians. They claim it was not about drugs.

11. Hu Shih (Class of 1914), who Earle considers to be one of the most significant Cornellians, greatly influenced the 1914 literary revolution in China, helping to shift literature from being written in classical characters to the vernacular.

5. Cornell used to have an actual live bear named Touchdown as its mascot and has had four bear cubs over the years.

12. Yuen Ren Chao (Class of 1914) coined the terms ‘potsticker’ and ‘stir-fry’ in the Chinese cookbook he wrote.

6. In October 1997, a pumpkin mysteriously appeared atop the clocktower on Ho Plaza and was not removed until March of the following year.

13. The very first American unit in WWI was made up entirely of Cornellians. During the war, Cornell was essentially a military academy, boasting more commissioned officers than any other institution in the country.

7. Andrew Dickson White originally wanted to found the school in Syracuse, but Ezra Cornell had been robbed there (twice!) and refused to okay the location.

10. The Wilder Brain Collection of the Department of Psychology contains 122 pre-

14. The Social Code Riots of 1958 can be considered the first major college protest in America. Students protested the curfews and social codes dictating interaction between the sexes that the administration tried to enforce. 15. Educational historian Frederick Rudolph referred to Cornell as the “first American university” because it was the first land-grant, coeducational, non-sectarian, and non-religious university in the country. Even today, these principles can be seen throughout the university and are what make us so lucky to be a part of it.

voice

dit: ithaca photo cre

ASHA MCLACHLAN

For all you music devotees out there, it’s that time of year when we round up our most interesting gear and our most interesting friends and move out to the vast spaces of sponsored stages and sounds that you can feel deep in your core. That’s right, kids - it’s music festival season. Our very own campus equivalent, Slope Day, began in 1901 as “Spring Day.” CU students would celebrate the return of the warm (bearable) weather after months of brutal Ithaca winter. In 2004, Slope Day got the ball rolling with its brand as a live entertainment event, gearing its headliners towards our generation with artists like Fat Joe and Rusted Root. We’ve been turning up heavily and consistently ever since – well, those who make it to the slope have. So whether you’ll be at Slope Day 2k15, Bamboozle, Coachella, or Governor’s Ball, here are some pretty standard guidelines that every music festival lover should at least consider before going full buck: DON’T get dehydrated – bring a canteen! When the weather is right, it’s easy to forget how much fun you’re having in the sun. DON’T let that hot streak turn into a heat stroke, you feel? Put on

some sunscreen or find a nice tree to lounge under between sets. Just do what you need to stay cool and collected. DON’T come empty handed – bring money and your appetite because music festival food is absolutely impeccable and should never be overlooked. I’ve had some of the most eccentrically crafted finger foods of my life at these festivals (hands down best sriracha ramen burger I’ve ever eaten). For Slope Day, you can even use those end-of-semester BRB’s you didn’t know how to get rid of. DON’T be that person who screams, “THIS IS MY F*%&$ SONG” every five minutes. Especially if you only found out about the artist when the set list was posted (we know who you are). You and everyone else can enjoy the show just as much without having to announce to the world that you’ve heard the song before. DON’T go home on a gurney – moderation is key. With all these “don’t” guidelines to music festival-ing, it’s imperative to remember the most important “do:” do you. At the end of the day, you’re there for the invaluable experience that neither your instagram nor your snapchat story could even begin to de-

slope media’s guide to slope day life & culture 20

the

FOODIEyears

Alison Spandorfer

Last summer, I went to this amazing pop-up food market in New York City called Broadway Bites. The number of options was unbelievable. I was in foodie heaven. I tried lobster rolls from Red Hook Lobster Pound, amazing meatballs from Mighty Balls, creative summer rolls from Two Tablespoons, rice balls from Tampopo, ice cream stuffed macarons from Macaron Parlour, and - my personal favorite - boiled corn with garlic, aioli, paprika, cotija and cheese from CARNAVAL. My experience at Broadway Bites seriously changed my outlook on food. It prompted a food obsession that many of us share. It also encouraged me to try new foods and cook these fun options myself. That summer, my dad and I recreated the amazing corn from CARNAVAL. It was wonderful, and I was so happy that

Food culture has grown rapidly over the past few years; to me, it’s absolutely amazing. Visiting food festivals and pop-up markets like Broadway Bites, the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, and Smorgasburg in Brooklyn are all incredible adventures that a person can enjoy with friends and family. This new obsession with food has translated into photography - sometimes deemed “foodtography.” Let’s face it - who doesn’t love sharing pictures of their meals on social media? My mouth waters over pretty much any food-stagram. Foodtography has become an art. Food is no longer just a basic need - it is a creative lifestyle. We’ve learned to express ourselves through our food. What a person eats, and how they choose to share it with the world, says a lot about an individual. For instance, I love baking; whenever I bake, I take pictures of what I make and share it with all of my friends. I love how I can combine my hobbies of baking and photography with today’s culture. Food has also become a culture of its own. Food trends have taken my generation by storm. Once a food becomes “hot,” it’s all over social media. Think: avocado toast. After all the hype, I just had to try it...and it lived beyond my expectations. Over winter break, I made myself avocado toast almost everyday (and clearly sent pictures to all my friends). While people love the hunt for super delicious and caloric desserts (i.e. donuts and macarons), it has captured my attention that people have become interested in trying healthier meals too. It seems that there is an interesting blend of healthy-meets-unhealthy, such as smoothies and açai bowls. People travel long and far to visit food trucks and food festivals. Some are devoted enough to head straight to the farm to purchase locally-grown fruit and vegetables. What exactly has prompted this food obsession? I think it all comes down to one thing: people enjoy food adventures. As someone from New York City, I’m used to having endless restaurant and dessert options. Here in Ithaca, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the city and try new variations of foods, like apple cider. Going out to eat has always been a social activity; as food has become more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, so have our newsfeeds. Add filters and anyone can make their food-stagrams have that extra something special. These days, foodies can find delicious treats wherever they go.

Foodstagram key

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& culture

@foodintheair

@new_fork_city

@littlemissfoodie

@foodporndaily1

@nyc_food

@hungrybetches

Checkout some of these mouth-watering foodstagram accounts:

life & culture 22

5 Ways to Revamp Old Food Favorites Let’s face it, everything gets old after a while. Foods that used to be our favorites get boring and tasteless, and sometimes we just forget them all together. But what about those foods that we know we’ll never forget: the staples of Ithaca? It’s time we do a little revamping and turn those boring meals into things we’re excited to eat again...

bagel

jacky falkenberg

bagel burger

I love Collegetown Bagels just as much as the next person, but sometimes the thought of getting another bagel sandwich makes me wish I’d never see another bagel again. Introducing the bagel burger: the delicious way to turn your boring old bagel into a flavorful component of juicy goodness. Not only does it give your burger the extra thickness that sets it over the edge, but it provides a crunch that sesame seeds on a plain bun just can’t.

hummus

hummus pizza

If there’s one food you can always find on campus or at a get-together, it’s hummus. Hummus and carrots, hummus and pita bread, hummus and olives...you name it. But what happens when you’ve had enough of all the regular hummus pairings? Throw them all together! Just buy a premade pizza crust, smear on some of the spread, toss on your favorite toppings, and pop it into the oven. Never before has hummus been so delicious, and your taste buds will be sure to thank you.

gatorade

gator-pop

Though it may be the ultimate hangover helper, all those extra gatorades in your fridge are probably doing a better job taking up space. All you need to do to switch it up is grab a mold (or an empty paper cup), fill it with gatorade, pop it in the freezer for a couple hours, and voilà: the perfect dessert that’ll make you want to go out and buy yet another case of this delectable juice.

coffee

irish coffee

Cornellians love nothing more than a good cup of coffee (and boy, does Ithaca deliver). But what happens when you just aren’t getting the same satisfaction from your good ol’ cup o’ joe? Just add in a little whisky and sugar, and you’ve got a fantastic new twist that’ll have your friends lining up at the door.

granola bar granola ice cream sandwich Ever find yourself wishing you hadn’t bought all of those Kind bars from Target? There’s no better way to get rid of a couple than to fit a scoop of ice cream between the two. It’s like eating your toppings without having to dirty any dishes!

23 life

& culture

a change of

pace

Alice anichkin

a look at this year’s music performances This year, the Cornell Concert Commission (CCC) has given Cornell an interesting and noticeably different array of performers. Many have noticed the turn to more indie artists such as The Knocks, Iron and Wine, The New Pornographers, and many more. While some reveled in the more niche lineups, others were less pleased, calling for a more popular selection. This past school year alone has had a visible trend of more underground bands - The New Pornographers, Iron and Wine, Dr. Dog, OK Go, and The Knocks (a relatively unknown duo that had many students stumped when they were announced at the Arts Quad concert in the fall). Whereas 2011 and 2012 saw a handful of comparable artists, like Cat Power and Andrew Bird, previous years have been primarily dominated by more mainstream performers, such as Third Eye Blind and Ke$ha in 2013, Avicii, Nas and Major Lazer in 2012, and KiD Cudi in 2011. Some students have commended the CCC for what they feel has been a high quality year. “The CCC has really been stepping it up this year. I love that they’re focusing on great artists as opposed to what’s popular right now, and I feel like a lot of other Cornell students appreciate that as well,” comments Ethan Berkowitz ’16. Indeed, while many performers this year may not be chart-toppers, their music has garnered high regard and a loyal following. Many students are also glad to be able to see these types of bands because they do not tour often or hit many popular cities. By bringing them to Ithaca, the CCC provides a streamline between Cornell students and their favorite independent music. Other students are unhappy about the upsurge of noncommercial acts. They feel that these performances only appeal to a small portion of Cornellians, leaving a hefty part of the student body excluded and unexcited about future acts. Claire Baum ‘16 is one of many disgruntled students. “We used to have such great, big artists come, like Ke$ha,

who everyone was thrilled for. Now it just feels like every time there’s an announcement about a performer, I’ve never heard of them. Nobody even talks about it.” Many have also pointed out that these lesser-known performers are cheaper and thus there should be more shows. That being said, we have not seen a significant increase in the number of acts, with seven this year, four last year, and six in the 2012-2013 school year. As a huge fan of every artist that has come this year, I am heavily divided on the issue. While The New Pornographers is one of my favorite bands and as ecstatic as I was to hear of them coming to the State Theater I couldn’t help but notice the lackluster reaction from my peers and the poor attendance at the show. Though I have had a positive response to the recent acts, it’s fair that a good chunk of Cornell students are unsatisfied. While the CCC has done a fantastic job, they may want to try to appease both sides by bringing in a mix of both popular and indie music. I feel that it will not only help to ease certain discontent amongst students, but that it will also generate revenue to avoid debt and keep a budget to bring more acts.

life & culture

summer

foodtrends

You can’t miss

here’s what we really think about last summer’s trends...

Yasmin Alameddine

Living in New York City this past summer, I experienced some strange, betchy and utterly useless food trends. So I’m laying down the law and outlining my (unofficial and uneducated) opinion on what the food trends of Summer 2015 should be:

2014: Artisan Cupcakes, 2015: Normal Cupcakes I cannot understand everyone’s obsession with strange versions of cupcakes. Everyone has their own spin: Baked By Melissa? Tiny cupcakes. Georgetown? Pretty cupcakes! Crumbs? Cupcakes that were not even liked, went bankrupt, went viral, then came back from the grave. You know what I want summer 2015 to be filled with? NORMAL cupcakes. I just want to go into a store and see a nice, simple, normal-sized chocolate cupcake, with Betty Crocker vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Is that too much to ask? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And FYI, cupcakes were never broke.

2014: Food trucks 2015: a table Summer 2014 was filled with Smorgasbuorgs in New York City and Food Truck alleys in California; it was a time when hoards of young adults held ramen burgers and grilled cheese in the air to take the perfect picture (@ foodintheair #eeeeats); a time when the world awkwardly chomped on their food while standing next to a glorified hot dog stand on wheels. Here’s a novel thought: let’s all sit down. Let’s use actual plates, normal cutlery, chairs and tables.

2014: Hybrids (i.e. the “cronut”), 2015: Things separately (i.e. alone, not together, mutually exclusive) What do Dominique Ansel and dessert pizzas have in common? They mix things that do not need to be mixed. A croissant? Great! A donut? Bring it on! Both of them in one -- stop it.

25 LIFE

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2014: Kale, 2015: A Tree Trunk Kale is thick, dark and chewy. Seems like you may as well eat a tree - heck, the whole trunk. Finish it off with some truffle oil and lemon juice and you have a salad featured in every high end restaurant in America.

2014: Gluten free, 2015: carbs** It’s as if the entire human race all went to the same loony doctor who said, “Hey, here’s a shot in the dark I think you have gluten intolerance!” Jokes on us because we all chose to believe it. How about we eliminate the word “intolerance” and start eating whatever we want? Ask yourself a simple question: Do you want pasta? Forget about tofu pasta or squash pasta or air manufactured into pasta shapings - eat actual pasta! Or maybe you want something to spread your hummus on instead of fake, 10-calorie crackers made of flax seed sewn together by hair of celery - try actual bread! Yes a loaf of white, fluffy bread. Not gluten free, not multigrain. Before you cringe, whimper or cry into your yoga mats: try it. Chances are you’ll like it. **Disclaimer: I understand that celiac disease is legitimate, please don’t pummel me.

2014: Mac & cheese 2015: Mac & cheese I see nothing wrong with this beautiful trend we have going for us. Keep on doing you, world. I am so glad you have all joined me in my obsession.

2014: acai bowls, 2015: cereal bowls Okay, let’s get serious here. Acai bowls were all the rage last summer. But what are they really? A glorified smoothie? A few aesthetically pleasing almonds and coconut shavings sprinkled on top? How do you eat that? With a spoon? A straw? Does it actually fill you up? Also, as long as I’m asking questions, how in God’s name do you pronounce it. Ay-chai? Ah-chay? It definitely can’t be the obnoxious pronunciation: ah-sai-ee. So set those goopy bowls aside and pick up the familiar, comforting bowl we’ve all neglected in our attempts to be trendy: the cereal bowl. Not only can we pronounce it, but it’s filled with sugary greatness that is in no way healthy for you.

2014: Almond, soy

2014: Protein Bars,

& cashew milk,

2015: Bars Quest, Luna, Nature Valley, Special K and countless others have claimed to fit every single flavor, vitamin, and element of the universe into one measly bar. I’m not convinced. How do all those essential nutrients fit in one tiny bar smaller than my iClicker? How have we been able to do that but not figure out how to simultaneously play a YouTube clip and put our iPhone on hold? Riddle me that, world. So chuck all of those chunky, flaky bars out the window because all you really need this summer is an actual bar hold the protein (that is, if you are 21, yadda yadda...).

2015: milk from a cow or goat Cashews and almonds never wanted to produce milk, so stop trying to make them! Try milk from a cow or a goat.

LIFE & CULTURE

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Car p in D e Diem ead : mak Poe It’s a p e his w the m ts Socie hrase m ost ord of w ty. In th eaning s. e hat Perh life scene “seize t h ,W h a as t p s has o of illiam e day,” bec it seem f s e r . part ome Unf , an En probab s ob ortu i g peo cipate the me vious t nate lish te ly mad in it ple om a l y n , us acher e mos s . outs t e b a so-c t ide o mana There w y whic ntion i alle t an all famou t, b com h ge a -bo d s s w u a m t e p t h n u i p e e l o lenn ys pri to mille ter s ir v a The vate ials re a cree work ble ide rticipat eryone n re a o don a in m scho nials b e in ns. is o ’ lot o Wha bligatio when y Ro t o n t o h d r l, t e es oa he tent sm plac f be tId n very urges h bin W i on’t s on th artph ocial w ir phon g this al - app es in le nefits to o o ood is stud illiams e thin e s abu s k an go, s nes we rld, as s. All. job e nda to mo s time mobile o T r o yon of h nts to he. ppo that e inv than nt w nito t e e e T e s c edin c i e Whi a n hn m r orld oun e g l ted t the e ted tha d to cre e. Ou that health, ver tho ology. detr e there r n o t to o Soc do mob ugh only nw thes ating ’s no ime f i a r t a d i e t s e l l p m he e er cell ntal xists m thin the o p p g add day, t ocket ore tim techno in th take o ssible. edia is cell hones, conseq wrong dev ictiv et here lo u O a e t p p , pho d u en a rod e po igita to ha was ices w o actu gy ne u the hig ences with e u n c p i l al y l to o ular m plan . n a h se, ity o ore ti uld all ly e ha taxi, t app on f its in the er thei A 2013 joying We o m v o f r t w l s gi a c owe h e the s a ven keep u smart ention, sep an pro con for life r the nxiety tudy at e mob p arat bab u c s i c l a h o s e ir sa ept. K en n o n the e ly just tisfa d the ent Sta techno perf tertain ne to r necting live d from intuit low ctio te U logy e e e a this m c d in th it fo e l t i n . o z ni exc u with r thei fr r em use But in s e the p re peo r GP versity niverse This life. ome a shor om exp ple osit to n ome f A , o t q e e . n u t njoy rien Furt eve t ev ime nd t onc uestio way ive po r c e h i ? h n e e th h r e s a g nm T y no , ave r, th e try. w a hat’s an how o e gr t the m it too m to le having Onc y help akes a n o e f x t d th ave u re ater ed u - in e in case en, iety tal en have it. thei colleg ch can s s a how king hav r an you e bee tead o while accom for the s . t e x m u , it m f jus g B n in i s d e p u r u e r ty c e a lish etu ch h t t the i ause nts us riously app if we c bbed d palm trying ght be our w rn to a d by ed th i e o e t s o u r o n p t r l a i d of o i k era ei c nd m too s ur h Instagr e to lo , they me wh muc r ore elf-imp tely fo a e w and o h r aca o y s s. N m it. W k up fr ere to n smar o u dem e tec o ow t hno r phon icall all t ho kno m our be put phone e lo y su ws hat’s s sc a cce gy ban after b left , mayb reens way. M were m ssfu e and ayb is to e e th l co s and r ing a e it’s nt to sme e se carp u e l all d ll b cr so we e th be? y e di et to re and fee methi e devic n em, e l d and ucing and be g us m s of ef Cor put in th illenn ficien n dow e i c e n th ll stres world als sho y; s lev e ph arou uld els h one n . as a d us lway s

human interest 28

80% change major atleast once

JEREMY CANDELAS

You probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it figured out (YET) 29 human

interest

Relax – it’s okay. In fact, it’s kind of normal to have no idea what you’re doing right now. If you just finished your first year at Cornell, maybe you’ve already changed your major once. Now you’re panicking. How are you going to explain this to your parents? You just got here! Maybe you’re an upperclassman and you’re starting to realize that you’re not as huge a fan of Astrobiological Engineering as you once were. Who would even consider changing their major at this point? As it turns out, many do. Most college students change their major at least once - some 80% of students, according to the National Center for Education Studies. Furthermore,

...the average student changes their major three times throughout their college career. Chances are, you probably don’t have it all figured it out yet - and that’s perfectly okay. Coming into Cornell, I thought I had it all figured out. Ever since I was in second grade, I had wanted to become a veterinarian. As such, I applied and was accepted ED into Cornell’s Animal Science major. When teachers and friends heard about my acceptance, they were supportive though often surprised at my choice of major. Here I was, president of several academic and service organizations in the community, “Most Likely to Succeed on Wall Street,” a Company Commander in JROTC, and an active participant in the school theatre program. If anything, I seemed to be the exact opposite of what a Pre-Vet student should be. “I expected something along the lines of business or politics, honestly” was a phrase I heard almost every other day. Still, I brushed off the remarks and never really gave them much thought. It was not until after my first semester as an Animal Science student when I realized that maybe I should have listened more. The courses were difficult, of course, but I simply wasn’t content with what my classes had to offer. I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. Sure we had labs, but overall, I still did not find myself enjoying the major as much as I had anticipated. Where I did enjoy the work, however, was in my writing seminar. It was there that I was able to find enjoyment through writing, through commenting on and analyzing various works, concepts, and ideas. I decided that I would make the change shortly before I came back from Winter Break my freshman year. Animal Science was not something others could see me doing, and I finally realized that I could not see myself in the field either.

I explored my options at Cornell and, after serious deliberation - which included talking to family, friends, teachers and mentors over the break - I decided to make the switch to Communication. I enjoyed analyzing events, people, and their opinions - it simply made sense to me. Cornell’s Department of Communication offered a wide array of opportunities after graduation. Now I’m actually enjoying my classes, and I look forward to my prospective classes for next semester.

My new major is a place where I feel a sense of belonging, and it is one in which I can see myself succeeding. Most importantly, though, it’s work that I find enjoyment in. Too often we’re afraid to take a leap of faith in pursuit of what we enjoy. We get too caught up in what we think others will think of our choices before thinking of ourselves. If you want to pursue a STEM career but think it will be too difficult - do it. If you are truly passionate about it, you will find the drive and motivation to do well and succeed. If you want to pursue a career in the humanities but worry that others will think it’s a “useless” degree - do it. If you are truly passionate about it, your degree will be anything but “useless” in your future. Take a moment to think about what you want to do in your life. Not your parents. Not your friends. You. Where do you find fulfillment? What are you passionate about? Sit down, explore your options, and write out your thoughts on a piece of paper. The answers aren’t going to come to you overnight - it takes thought, and it takes time. It’s okay not to have everything figured out just yet. The fact is, none of us really do. Take classes that interest you while you still can; don’t limit yourself to courses in your major. You may find that you possess a deeper interest in another field, and you will be able to change paths far easier than if you were to have exclusively taken classes in your major. Even after you receive your degree, you may find yourself working in an entirely different field than the one you anticipated. As long as you set yourself on a course in which you are doing what you love, you will find fulfillment and you will find success.

“Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.” – Ray Bradbury

human interest

5 When it comes down to it, everyone on this campus wants the same exact thing: a job after graduation. Scoring that dream job is easier said than done--but it is possible.

Things You Should Know If You Want to Get a Job in...

Former Slope Media alumni Ariella Weintraub ‘12 and Shah Ahmed ‘14 are two of the lucky ones, and they’re sharing their wisdom on how to get you hired in their respective industries of TV News and Consulting.

curated by dani kellner

The tv news industry

with ariella weintraub

1. Follow the networks and actually watch the shows you apply for Make sure you are watching the shows you want to work for thoroughly. Know them backwards and forwards. Know exactly what model pose George Stephanopoulos struck on Good Morning America with Zoolander’s Ben Stiller. Answer: Grecian Burn. Know how to spell Stephanopoulos. Not having a traditional TV is not an excuse - almost everything is posted online. 2. Read up on the industry Keep a pulse on what is going on in the industry by following websites like mediabistro.com, cynopsis.com, mediaite.com and tvnewser.com. These websites will give you an idea of what new shows are launching and can alert you to job opportunities. 3. Have a strong (and appropriate) social media presence and continually expose yourself to new forms of media/social platforms The way we consume media is evolving. News alone is shared through a wide array of channels - traditional TV, online, Hulu. com, Apple TV, Roku, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, even Snapchat. As college students, you are the closest and most in tune to what new apps there are for sharing video. You are also part of a target demographic of viewers who get their news in unique and new ways. Use that knowledge to your advantage when interviewing and think of ways your potential employer can expand their reach. 4. Always write a Thank You note You would be surprised how often this is forgotten. Even for something as small as coffee, or a ten minute phone call. Thank you notes can go a long way. 5. Write, Write, Write THE most important thing you can do, in my opinion, is to practice writing. It’s the most basic function but also the foundation. Whether it be writing an email to senior staff, a nice thank you note to someone you interviewed for a piece, or a script/article, writing skills are crucial. And the only way to get better is to practice! Ariella Weintraub is an Associate Producer at Good Morning America for ABC News where she writes and produces packaged pieces for the daily broadcast. She graduated from Cornell in 2012, majoring in Communication and serving as Slope Media Group’s President from 2011-2012.

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The consulting industry

with shah ahmed

Do what you say you’ll do Commonly referred to as “delivering on expectation” by folks in the business world, the ability to get sh*t done is directly linked to effort and reliability. You build trust by being reliable, and you lose it when you flake. Don’t flake. 2. Be nice to people There’s rarely a reason to be rude to people, and all criticism can be framed to be productive. If you are nice, people will like you. If people like you, they will want to work with you. There’s nothing worse than a toxic coworker. 3. Manage your time Time is a valuable resource, so treat it as such. Make time for the things you enjoy and the people you care about. Work should fit in your schedule, not consume it. With proper time management, any new task that comes your way becomes far more manageable. 4. Be resourceful Resourcefulness is possibly the most important proficiency in life. If you can do more with less, you’ll likely do astounding things with more. Folks who complain about a lack of resources tend to lack ingenuity and cleverness. 5. Whatever you do, do it exceptionally Not in the absolute sense, but exceptional in a relative sense. Build and do things that you can be proud of. If you can’t find appreciation in your actions, it’s likely no one else will. Shah Ahmed is an analyst at Deloitte. He graduated from Cornell in 2014, majoring in Economics and Mathematics and serving as Slope Media’s Vice President of Operations from 2012-2013.

Crisis

Mid[College]-Life

kelly webb It hit me the other day in lecture (as I may or may not have been scrolling through my Pinterest feed) that the school year was ending. With Slope Day fast approaching, I realized - I was halfway through college. Confronted with this newfound realization, I chugged back the rest of my coffee and began thinking about my past two years at Cornell. I’m sure I’m not the first person to hit the halfway point without really knowing what to do with myself. Am I spending my college time wisely? Am I fulfilling my role as a Cornellian? What significant impact am I going to make have I already made it? With a billion questions in the wake of my mid-college-life crisis, my morning walks to class were becoming a lot more thoughtful. For example, it was easy as a freshman to dismiss opportunities knowing I had plenty of time to compensate. It’s a common - but unfortunate - rationale: the sense of security that comes with a fixed, four-year plan. Like the self-assurance that, as an underclassman, I don’t need to know what I’m doing just yet. “I can use these two years to figure out what I like and, more importantly, what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” I tell myself. But here I am, halfway through - standing on that imaginary border between having the pleasure of only having to think about a future decision and suddenly entering a land of responsibilities. And I’m nowhere near any answers. I had asked a few friends who were rising seniors or about to graduate (the fear!) to reflect on their college years. Almost unanimously, each and every one of them described how their first two years had dragged by, and then - all of a sudden - everything hit fast forward. To some, freshman year was just yesterday. What was once four years away was now four weeks away. Comforting, to say the least… Am I doing it right - the “College Experience?” On the one hand, the media portrays these four years as non-stop frat parties and all-nighters - which are all too real but definitely haven’t happened as often as TV would make me believe. On the other hand, when else will I have the time to binge-watch seasons of the Mindy Project while procrastinating papers? Should I be making a conscious effort to complete the 161 things every Cornellian should do? There are a solid number of places I have yet to see in Ithaca - and a solid number of things to eat when it comes to the vast array of delicious CTB bagels, wraps and sandwiches. Deep down, I know my current bubble of dining halls and BRBs will eventually be replaced with real meals and real dollars. The gruesome walk I have up the slope will be a 30-minute commute to work. All I can do is enjoy my time on this campus and take hold of every opportunity I have yet to encounter - become involved in the clubs I’m interested in, meet different people, experience new friendships, and take advantage of any internship I can get my hands on. Even though my time here is halfway through, I can’t forget that half is still left. All good things must come to an end - but until then, I have another two years to make an impact, appreciating everything from the midnight chats with my housemates to the never-ending snow. For now, I’ll probably get back to binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning… after I double-check my major requirements on DUST.

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