NOTE: During this time of social distancing and university life interrupted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Chronicle’s virtual Things to Do provides a variety of opportunities to engage with Cornell resources and programming. See the University Events Calendar for updates.

 

Virtual galleries, walking tour

Gallery Night, a tour of downtown Ithaca art galleries and displays, returns June 5 from 5-8 p.m. following a two-month hiatus, with both virtual and in-person events (with social distancing).

June’s Gallery Night features a series of virtual/3D galleries for visitors to explore artwork online, and a walking tour of window displays and artwork in storefronts. Local and regional artists also will provide live entertainment, demonstrations and educational talks on social media.

See downtownithaca.com for more details on artist events and participating artists and galleries.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance advises visitors to wear a protective face mask or alternative facial covering, observe social distancing among their group and be courteous of others. The online art exhibits will continue through the end of the month.

All-alumni Virtual Reunion

Cornell’s Virtual Reunion, June 5-6, welcomes alumni from all classes this year, with more than 90 events for Cornellians and family members including events tailored for alumni in the “Classes of 0s and 5s.”

“Leading Cornell During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” June 6 at 11 a.m., features President Martha E. Pollack, Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff and Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine.

Events open to alumni from all classes also include “Big Red Athletics Now and Then,” June 5 from 4-5 p.m.; the Cornell Trivia Game Show, June 5 from 7-9 p.m.; a Cornell Library 50th anniversary read-a-thon of “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, M.A. ’55, June 6 from noon-1 p.m.; music past and present at Cornelliana Night, June 6 from 8-9 p.m.; the Reunion 5K, which participants can run wherever they are, either day, and tag themselves with #CornellReunion on social media; and video events available on demand both days from 1-5 p.m., including “The 25 Best Summer Reads,” a Lego speed-build guide and resources on how to build your own model of Olin Library, and “A Community in Crisis: The Impact of COVID-19 on Black People in America.”

Reunion programs focusing on social and racial justice also include two Cornell Mosaic events: “A Racial Justice Teach-In,” June 6 from 4-5 p.m., with faculty and alumni perspectives; and “Reflections on Ahmaud, Breonna, George, and Others: A Community Conversation,” June 6 from 5-6 p.m.

See the 2020 Reunion site for the full schedule and links to access individual events, and last week’s Chronicle story for more details on many of the featured events.

Policy discussion: work and the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has put an extraordinary strain on public institutions and policymakers struggling to respond simultaneously to acute public health challenges and unprecedented economic consequences.

Seth D. Harris ’83, a visiting professor at Cornell’s Institute for Public Affairs, will discuss pandemic-related public policy issues affecting workers, workplaces and labor markets, and the U.S. government’s response, in “Work, Workers, and Public Policy During a Pandemic,” June 8, 7-8 p.m. Register online to attend the webinar.

Harris is a Washington, D.C., attorney who served almost seven years in former President Bill Clinton’s administration. As acting and deputy U.S. secretary of labor during the Obama administration from 2009-14, he led the Department of Labor’s response to the economic crisis in 2009 and the implementation of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

He teaches leadership in public affairs at Cornell to graduate and undergraduate students. As a policy analyst and commentator, Harris has made dozens of television, radio and online appearances during the recent pandemic to help Americans understand its effects on the economy, workers, small businesses and unemployment, as well as the government’s response to the health and economic crises.

He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and a law degree from New York University’s School of Law. He has co-authored three books, including “Labor and Employment Law & Economics” (2009), and has written scholarly articles and op-eds on labor, employment and retirement, leadership, government performance and economics.

Museum field trip

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County hosts a 4-H Virtual Academy field trip to the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, June 9, 1-2 p.m., for enrolled 4-H students in grades 4-12. Zoom access is required; register to attend.

The first 20 registrants will have the opportunity to explore ancient artifacts and create Egyptian-themed crafts. The tour will be led by 4-H educators and museum staff. Space is limited and students on a waitlist will be notified about available spaces on this or future virtual field trips.

On Wall Street reform

Former Congressman Barney Frank and H. Rodgin Cohen, senior chairman of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, will discuss the effect of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the legislative and real-life events that helped create it, in a virtual town hall, “Dodd-Frank: 10 Years Later,” June 10, noon to 1 p.m. RSVP to register for the Zoom event.

The conversation will be moderated by Stephanie Ruhle, NBC News senior business correspondent and MSNBC anchor. The event is open to current members of the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs at Cornell, and to the Cornell community.

Co-sponsors include the Department of Government in the College of Arts and Sciences; the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs; and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Diversity and inclusion awards

Cornell graduate and professional students, postdocs, faculty and staff are invited to the Graduate Diversity and Inclusion Awards and Recognition Celebration, to be held via Zoom June 12, 5:30-7 p.m., hosted by the Graduate School. RSVP to attend.

Awards will be given to graduate students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, outreach and student engagement efforts. Faculty, staff and community members will be given awards for their commitment to promoting the growth and personal/professional development of graduate and professional students representing the diversity of the Cornell community.

Awards for students, groups and organizations will include exemplary service, leadership, community outreach and social justice honors. Awards for faculty and staff include the Diversity and Inclusion Change Agent, Unsung Hero and Faculty Champion awards.

The event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement and the member organizations of the Graduate and Professional Student Diversity Council.