Andy Noel

[Adam \'04]

Jason Demby '99 wrote:

[q]Bottom line is that things cost money. You're going to be charged in some way no matter what... Whether its an extra charge that as part of the student activity fee for EVERYONE regardless of whether they use the gym or not...or just charging the people that use it. Any costs for internet or gym will be paid by the students regardless...

Also...from what I remember...when you sign up for gym/internet/etc...you can have them CornellCard it anyway, which just goes on as part of your bursar bill.

The only difference is whether mommy and daddy blindly pick up the charge if its included in your tuition/activity fees which you wouldn't notice or complain about...or if it gets billed separately. [/q]

Well... I think you are off base. For those students with loans it is a big deal not to include all foreseeable costs in the tuition-room-and-board estimate. Those little things add up. They have to come out of pockets that are already low on money. This is the problem. If your parents won't pay it, then what are you supposed to do? You don't receive the service because you can't afford the service. Why not make it an option to receive refunds for those services not used? Just give a credit to the bursar account. This allows for equal access to all services, and does make life easier.

Anyway, you totally missed the point of that statement if you thought that it had to do with money, how about lack of critical thinking, equity, foresight, and compassion.

[q]You're seeming to forget about that little $30,000+ bill that you get charged every year... Whew...maybe we should go to Hahvahd where everything is FREEEEE[/q]

F-off man. Seriously, EADAD.

[jason]

People, please, for the sake of those who enjoy this board and its sense of community, could we please do without the personal attacks. This is one of the few online forums that I'm aware of were civility is generally the rule, not the exception.

[Ben Doyle 03]

agreed. . .my apologies for prior statement on this thread.

[bigggreddd77]

Whoa there fella...whats with the profanity?  

Firstly...I was on loans/grants and all of that good stuff...so please don't tell me that I lack compassion or the understanding of what that is like.  I personally worked 3 jobs while at Cornell (one of which was actually at the gym...good way to get a free membership and avoid that extra bill) and paid for everything myself...if you really must know...  And part of your loans/aid/work study are actually there to cover living expenses...not just base tuition and board.

And the 'you will complain' in my statement was a general 'you'...as in people will complain no matter which way its done.  It wasn't said as a personal attack towards you...so calm down.  The Big Red Tape would only get bigger if you had people applying for reimbursements for services not used...

I had a great experience at Cornell, and sometimes I just don't understand why people would 'despise the university administration'. Yes...some things are less than ideal, but its really not that bad. (You could go to Hah-vahd :-))

So...what exactly was the point of the statement then?  I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, but I still don't think that alumni are owed anything by the University.  Donations should be a thanks for PAST experiences...after all...its a donation...not a fee you're paying what the University gives you now.  We're out of college...remember?  While we're all trying to hold onto our memories and make new ones through following Cornell hockey or more....we don't go to the school anymore.


And sorry to Ben and everyone else...you got me very reactionary there...I was just trying to make points...not insult anyone...

[ugarte]

JTW wrote:
[Q]We're not entitled to free webcasts, but by the same token Cornell's not entitled to our donations. [/Q]

Absolutely true.  I was responding more to the venom in the posts than the general dissatisfaction with the decision to introduce CornellPass.  That said, it is up to the University to decide if the benefits of charging for internet broadcasts outweigh the costs both tangible (donations) and intangible (goodwill).  The general tenor of the conversation here (not, I hasten to add, from you, John) revolves around mistaking a difference of opinion with something far more nefarious.

[Adam \'04]

The point of that statement is that critical thinking, equity, foresight, and compassion have been lost in an effort to reduce the 'BIG RED TAPE '. The university is supposed to provide services for the students; this is why we pay them. The administration has adopted policies that alienate the students. Why would Cornell choose to sacrifice positive relations with students for efficiency? If you went into a restaurant and ordered a hamburger, what do you expect to be served? What would you think if you were given a raw hamburger (no bun etc.) on a plate? I bet you would go to another restaurant. Well, If other colleges and Universities can find means to provide their students with the same services, while avoiding the impersonal, and insensitive treatment, why cant Cornell University do the same?

[Ben Doyle 03]

Okay. . .I'd like to make a request for the conclusion of this discussion. Please. . .just agree to disagree. Thanks ~ Ben

[jy3]

so i did not read all the posts b/c i dont have time. i am not sure if anyone mentioned this but...
here we talk about cornell nickeling and diming the students, right?
cornell attempts at staying as an equal to all the ivies in anything and everything right? whatever it is they want to be a top-tier school.
how about being a top tier school when it comes to cost and financial aid?
i find it amusing that princeton and some of the other ivies are going in one direction while cornell is tending towards the opposite. I assume that some of you read this last fall but in case you didnt...
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/01/0205/1b.shtml