INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 131, No. 109
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
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ITHACA, NEW YORK
12 Pages – Free
Arts
Opinion
Sports
Weather
I Really Like You
Embracing Snapchat
Baseball Blues
Rain HIGH: 40º LOW: 23º
Mike Sosnick ’16 discusses why Carly Rae Jepson’s new song is a conversation starter. | Page 7
David Fischer ’15 talks about The New York Times’ use of Snapchat to create microreports. | Page 9
The Red lost three of four games it played at the Russ Matt Invitational this weekend. | Page 12
Aiming for Transparency, Skorton Outlines Budget C.U. revenue sources, expenditures, cost-cutting discussed By REBECCA BLAIR
members of the community.
Sun Assistant News Editor
Students, staff and faculty convened in the Biotechnology Building Monday for President David Skorton’s town hall meeting on University finances. The town hall meeting — during which Skorton shared details on Cornell’s revenue sources, major expenditures, budget deficit and cost-cutting efforts — was held in an effort to enhance communication between the central administration and the broader University, according to Skorton. “It is true, and I want to take personal responsibility, that I’ve been sluggish about bringing that area of more detail ... beyond the top leadership of the University,” Skorton said. “Today is an attempt to move forward with broader transparency.” Skorton said the administration devised a system whereby financial information would be disseminated in a series of “concentric circles” about six years ago. Though Skorton said that in theory, information would start with the central administration and then be distributed to the Board of Trustees and college deans, such information has not always successfully reached all
Cash Versus Accrual Deficits
Cornell’s upcoming decrease in provost allocations and recently-announced additional student health fee are necessary because of the University’s accrual accounting deficit, Skorton “We are at the point now ... said. where we need to very, very “If you look at the [Ithaca seriously reduce campus portion construction of new space.” of the] audited financial statePresident David Skorton ments for the University, you will see a deficit,” Skorton said. “If you look at the cash accounting, you will see a balanced budget.” Skorton explained that cash accounting is the way most people operate financially, where account totals reflect the actual amount contained therein at any given time. He added that accrual accounting differs because it does not only reflect an account’s current balance, but
also accounts for any future plans the University has committed to and is adjusted to reflect those future plans even before they are actually implemented. “When you make a commitment to make an expenditure [or receive a revenue commitment], you book See
FINANCES page 4 MICHELLE FELDMAN / SUN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Mr. President | President Skorton speaks about University finances to Cornellians at a town hall meeting yesterday.
Former Ambassador Speaks at C.U. Mayor Svante Myrick’09 Michael McFaul lectures about United States-Russia relations By RUBIN DANBERG BIGGS Sun Staff Writer
Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014, addressed the current diplomatic relationship between Russia and the United States at the Bartels World Affairs Fellowship Lecture Monday. McFaul, who said he played
a “large role” in President Barack Obama’s Russian foreign policy, spoke to a packed Statler Auditorium, in a talk entitled, “A New Cold War? Explaining Russia’s New Confrontation with the West.” He began his lecture by saying that the nature of international politics, United States foreign policy and Russian domestic policy are the main factors affecting the current
diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia. He added that relations between the two countries have shifted in recent years due to Russia’s recent rise to global power, and that this was most noticeable when current Russian president Vladimir Putin succeeded former president Dmitry Medvedev. See LECTURE page 5
SIMON LI / SUN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Russian relations | Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, speaks about the state of affairs between the two countries in Statler Auditorium Monday.
‘Gauging Support’ for Reelection Campaign
measuring the amount of interest for a reelection campaign. “I love this City and I love to Mayor Svante Myrick ’09 serve this City,” Myrick said in a announced Monday that he is follow-up post. “I feel like my currently “gauging support” for service has made a difference and I’d like to contina reelection camue.” paign. In response to a He appealed to commenter’s question potential donors in a if donations would be Facebook post, linkrefunded if he chose ing to a contribution not to run for mayor, page for the Myrick responded C a m p a i g n “yes.” Committee of Myrick “ … I won’t confor Ithaca. tinue just because I “Thousands of you supported me “I feel like my am having fun and service has feeling productive,” then, and every day Myrick said. “If Ithaca since,” he said in the made a feels like it's time for a post. “Your advice, difference change then I won’t work, criticism, and love have made the and I’d like to run again.” Myrick, who City of Ithaca an continue.” turned 28 on even better place to Monday, was one of live. If you still Mayor Svante the youngest mayors believe in Ithaca and Myrick ’09 in history when he if you still believe in was elected in 2011. the path we’ve set, then I need your continued sup- His four-year term will conclude at the end of this year. port.” Though Myrick said he has not officially announced his Annie Bui can be reached at intentions for reelection, he is managing-editor@cornellsun.com.
By ANNIE BUI
Sun Managing Editor