Dear SIPS Community,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 academic year. While none of us knows what the next weeks and months will bring, I am certain that patience, kindness, and understanding will be needed. This is a very high anxiety time for all, so please remember to check on one another and get outside and hang out with plants!
Congratulations to Jeff Doyle, David Gadoury, and Anya Osatuke, recipients of awards from the scientific societies with which they are affiliated
SIPS diversity and inclusion: anyone can Report a Bias Incident by clicking that link (also prominently displayed on the SIPS home page)
Fall Semester Updates
- The Cornell Covid-19 update website has all of the most recent information as well as a link to the Covid-19 tracking dashboard.
- Teaching resources are also available for those of us teaching this fall. You can get help through the CALS Canvas and Online Course Accessibility Support Request
- There are also many online resources through CTI and the SIPS Fall 2020 instruction resource page.
- The library will be offering study space including the first and second floors of Mann. You will soon be able to sign up for de-densified quiet study seats.
Renovation
Plans for Bradfield and Plant Science renovation continue to move forward. Additional information about the Bradfield project will be announced in the coming weeks.
The SIPS building committee as well as section chairs have been involved with the Plant Science renovation plans. Schematic Design phase will be completed this week, after which the project will pause to await approval by both the Provost and NY State. There is also information available on the renovation page of the SIPS website.
2019 – 2020 Faculty Search updates:
- Plant synthetic biology: Laura Gunn has accepted the position and will be joining the faculty May 1, 2021.
- Genomics-empowered biology of plant pathogenic fungi: Great news! Lori Huberman has accepted the position and will be joining the faculty January 1, 2021.
- Breeding for Sustainable Forage Cropping Systems: Negotiations are in process, and we hope to have good news in the October update.
- Physiology of fruit crop adaptation to climate change: Candidate interviews in process, state quarantines due to Covid-19 have slowed the search.
Kudos
Congratulations to the following people who were recognized with a SIPS Kudos in the last month! Thanks for your effort and passion in support of SIPS.
- Building Mastery and Skill: Josh Balles
- Creativity and ideas: Kellie Damann, Michele Blackmore
- Going Above & Beyond: Barbara Sledziona, Daniel Heck, Elaine Davis, Gillian Turgeon, Kelly Hanley, Kendra Hutchins (twice!), Leslie Larson, Michelle Bidwell, Sandra Wayman
- Inspirational Leadership: Anu Rangarajan, Matthew Willmann, Michelle Bidwell
- Strong Team Spirit: Bobbie Ann Kuhlman, Kate Nicholson, Melissa Cox, Zaidee Powers Rosales
PLEASE remember to recognize people in our SIPS community that have gone out of their way to enhance our School. All you have to do is complete the brief form here
Take care,
Chris