Well, I’m on the Downeaster ‘Cornell’

As May rolls around, we come again to the end of a turbulent academic year. Facing down finals, we are reminded of all the ways the storm has rocked the boat: Cornell’s negotiated settlement with the Trump Administration, large spending cuts and layoffs, a search for the University’s purpose in the world, political clashes that threw us into turmoil and so much more. Amidst that, we tried to maintain hope, and found solace in new experiences and faces.

In the stormy waters of this moment, we are riding the downeaster Cornell. To navigate the gales, one needs a compass to point us back home, back to the basic values of kindness, pragmatism, collaboration and wit that will carry us through. I started this column to do just that. 

If you’re reminded of Billy Joel’s “The Downeaster ‘Alexa,’” that’s on purpose. The song (written about the eastern end of my home, Long Island) is about a fisherman who has worked his fingers to the bone to provide for his family. However, “these waters aren’t what they used to be,” and his misfortunes have made it almost impossible to live and work on his island home anymore. 

In the storm, it’s easy to get washed away and lose hope, but still we must fasten ourselves to what matters most. We must champion each other, love those in the Cornell community, show up for those out of sight of it, remember our history, defend our neighbors and prepare ourselves to tackle the problems of tomorrow. 

I have battled the storm with you, not only as a community member but as the founder of the Cornell Negotiation Student Society, a member of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Executive Committee, an employee of the University, a columnist for The Sun and the best friend I can be to those around me. The more involved you become, the rockier the waves feel. 

It is........

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