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The Corne¬ Daily Sun 8 Pages – Free
Vol. 139, No. 37
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 n ITHACA, NEW YORK
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Jake Fishman '25 explores Ithaca's best off-campus restaurants.
Researchers make strides in soft robotics by designing a system using fluid viscosity.
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Lab of Ornithology's Great Backyard Bird Count Takes Flight By ERIC REILLY Sun Staff Writer
ERIC REILLY / SUN STAFF WRITER
Professor propositions | Prof. Suzanne Shu '90 M.Eng. '92, applied economics and management, proposes longer tenure periods at Wednesday's Faculty Senate meeting.
Faculty Senate Convenes Tenure tracks, gynecology and Global Hubs discussed By JULIA SENZON Sun Staff Writer
The Cornell Faculty Senate met in Schwartz Auditorium at Rockefeller Hall on Wednesday to discuss three proposed resolutions — standardizing tenure tracks, implementing a permanent M.D. gynecologist and guaranteeing free speech at global partner campuses — which they will vote on via online ballot from Feb. 16 to March 2. First, Prof. Suzannne Shu ’90 M.Eng. ’92, applied economics and management, who is also dean of faculty and research, discussed harmonizing tenure tracks for faculty within the same areas in the S.C. Johnson College of Business. Most colleges within Cornell utilize a six-year tenure clock, where tenure is allocated to faculty based on their scholarship, teaching and service during their first five years of work.
In 2012, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution to extend the Johnson Graduate School of Management’s tenure clock to an eight-year period. This move was made based on competitive pressures, with other business schools opting for longer pre-tenure periods. Last year, the S.C. Johnshon College of Business restructured its tenure process to align faculty under research areas, rather than under their respective schools: the Johnson Graduate School of Management, the Nolan School of Hotel Administration and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. However, Nolan- and Dyson-affiliated staff still see six-year tenure clocks, while their Johnson colleagues see eight-year tenure clocks. According to Shu, this discrepancy has caused recruitment issues.
“We are up against a competitive set that has been moving to longer tenure clocks, anywhere from seven to nine years,” Shu said. “And our candidates we’re bringing in know this — they prefer longer clocks.” During the meeting, Shu also commented that the majority of current faculty supports a switch to an eightyear clock. Next, Ariel Johnson grad, a Ph.D. candidate in the school of integrative plant science, who is also the co-founder and current treasurer of Pelvic Pain Association at Cornell, discussed a resolution to implement an M.D. gynecologist at Cornell Health. According to Johnson, gynecology care on the Cornell Ithaca campus is performed by nurse practitioners with expertise in gynecology. See SENATE page 3
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology offering a wealth of information to help launched the 2023 Great Backyard Bird get new birders on their feet — from locaCount in a virtual event on Wednesday tion-based checklists of likely bird sightafternoon. Hosted on the Cornell Lab ings to apps that suggest potential species of Ornithology YouTube channel, the from photos and sound recordings. webinar was attended by over 2,700 bird “[The GBBC] is one of the best lovers from around the world. entry-level programs to get people into Running from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, birding,” said Jody Allair, director of this year’s GBBC encourages participants community engagement at Birds Canada. from around the globe to birdwatch “The data’s great for sure …but really, for at least 15 minutes this weekend. [the GBBC] is a great excuse to get outParticipants can birdwatch from any- side and count and ID things.” Participants will compile and submit where — a nearby park, their backyard or simply outside their window — counting checklists through eBird, an online dataand identifying any birds that they see base managed by the Lab of Ornithology. or hear. The database is the world’s largest bio“The thing to decide is where you can diversity-related citizen science project, go and give your best counts when you’re collecting worldwide data on bird species, there. Where can you be comfortable number and location. and do your best job?” said Chad Witko, senior coordinator at National Audubon To continue reading this article, please Society. “That’s really the best place for visit www.cornellsun.com you to be.” For new birders, identifying unfamil- Eric Reilly can be reached at iar species may seem daunting. However, ereilly@cornellsun.com. GBBC encourages everyone to join in,
JULIA NAGEL / SUN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Restful robin | An American robin perches peacefully, overseeing pedestrians and passerby on the College Avenue bridge.
Profs. Craig Altier and Kyu Rhee Lead Antimicrobial Research By AIMÉE EICHER Sun Assistant News Editor
In an effort to better understand microorganisms’ resistance to medicines and improve treatment for disease, Prof. Craig Altier, population medicine and diagnostic sciences, and Prof. Kyu Rhee ’91, microbiology and immunology, medicine, have combined their expertise to co-direct the University’s new Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education.
The center aims to tackle the issue of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together experts from across Cornell’s campuses to engage in research and education efforts. Although both Altier’s and Rhee’s individual research interests relate to antimicrobial resistance, their academic backgrounds differ slightly. A professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Altier has focused much of his research career on microbial ecology, the study of interactions
and relationships within communities of microbes. Altier earned his B.A. in biology from Hiram College before going on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University. After completing his veterinary program, Altier completed a Ph.D. in the department of molecular biology and microbiology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. See PROFS page 3
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH GOLDBERG
Sharing science | Profs. Craig Altier and Kyu Rhee, co-directors of a new research center, share a conversation.