Top Blogosphere Stories of 2009-2010

In the most recent issue of the Review we had a story on the Top 10 Cornell News Stories of 2009-2010. As we finish yet another semester at Cornell, we look back at the top stories covered on the Cornell Insider in 2009-2010.

Sweet 16 Basketball Run: While the Penn Quakers managed to tarnish what would have been a perfect Ivy League season for the Red, this didn’t stop us from taking a third consecutive Ivy League Championship . The men ’s basketball team’s success continued at the national level, where the team secured two huge victories over Temple and Wisconsin (Obama predicted the first, but not the second). The excitement was building all the way up to our Sweet Sixteen Matchup, where the Big Red ended up losing at the hands of the all-NBA first ranked Kentucky Wildcats. It was the most successful Ivy League team run since 1979. But all good things come to pass: Steve Donahue left for BC shortly after the season ended. Enter Bill Courtney. Can he lead the Red to another Ivy League Championship? 2011 will tell.

Spring Suicides: It all began on February 17 when we reported an apparent suicide off Thurston Bridge. By the evening, the body was confirmed to be that of Bradley Ginsburg ’13. Less than a month later we were shocked to hear the news of yet another gorge suicide– this time the victim was William Sinclair ’12. Photos of policemen and rescue workers, taken by Review Managing Editor Lucas Policastro at the scene, are lucid reminders of the eerie and tragic mood that descended on campus that day. Twenty four hours later, yet another suicide was reported, this time off of the Suspension bridge. I remember most of my friends were in disbelief: there’s no way, how could there be another suicide the next day and the third in less than a month? The death of Matthew Zika ’11 shifted Cornell into suicide lockdown mode. Guards were placed at every university bridge for the following week.  When the guards left, the fences were erected. The crisis brought national attention to Cornell’s campus and also raised questions about levels of stress and competition at the university. Almost three months later, despite much debate and controversy, the fences remain as a reminder that we still have no permanent solution to the Cornell suicide problem.

Resolution 44: Much was made across the campus about Resolution 44, the so-called “non-discrimination clause,” introduced in the Student Assembly by Andrew Brockman ’ 11 and Matt Danzer ’12. Among other things, the clause would have banned clubs from removing an officer or preventing someone from becoming an officer based on a conflict of beliefs. This resolution polarized the Cornell community as it was met with both steadfast support and outspoken opposition. Many believed that his endorsement of Resolution 44 cost Brokman his bid for the SA Presidency (including his opponent, Vincent Andrews). It didn’t come as much of a surprise to Review writers when Skorton did not end up signing Resolution 44.

Reimagining Cornell: While this story received a lot more attention in our paper edition, it’s too important to skip over here. The financial crisis of 2008 made a significant dent in Cornell’s endowment, prompting an initiative to cut costs and restructure the budgets, faculties, and operations of all seven colleges. The newest version of the strategic plan, entitled “Cornell University at Its Sesquicentennial,” aims to move past the crisis and return Cornell to its place in the top ten research universities in the country. But what will this mean for the undergraduate colleges? Will the Cornell of ten years from now even resemble the Cornell of today? This story remains unfinished, and will likely be among our list of top stories for 2010-2011 as well.

Swine Flu: Right at the beginning of the academic year, with swine flu hysteria at its peak nationwide, Cornell endured its own outbreak of the disease. By the time the epidemic had subsided in the late fall, thousands had become ill, and, sadly, one student (Warren Schorr ’11) was lost to complications of the illness. The university’s response was rapid and diverse. Gannett offered shots for the disease as soon as they became available for mass use, and hand sanitizers were set up and distributed throughout campus. Every student received a multitude of emails discussing preventative measures, and signs were set up in public places to encourage care. While the necessity of some of these measures was debated, many of them were also credited for ending the outbreak in the late fall/early winter.

Program House Debate: Perhaps this story was overshadowed by other Cornell-related stories in the spring, or maybe its controversy was exaggerated to begin with, but the program house debate certainly lost a lot of steam going into the second half of the year. But a small recap for our readers (adpated largely from our December Top Stories List) is in order. It all started with the announcement that program houses would be put under review, which instantly sparked a symbolic funeral march for the death of program houses in early April (followed by Review commentary). Over the summer, there was the Ken Glover debacle/reassignment, then the re-reassignement, which was followed by another reinstatement (followed by more Reviewcommentary). Then there was the Program House panel, which was followed by even more Cornell Review commentary and input. In the end, more than a year later, nothing has changed. Program Houses are still here to stay, just as Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy ’73 told Review reporters after the initial protest in April 2009.