Ithaca, Cornell, Upstate New York, and the US: Understanding Space, Place and Community

Introduction

In 1865, Ezra Cornell established Cornell University with the founding principle that “any person can find any study” at this institution. Our community aspires to embody this principle as we implements the university’s mission, vision and core values.

As an Ivy League university and New York state’s land-grand institution, Cornell seeks to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge and educate the next generation of global citizens. We invite our faculty to explore Cornell’s, Ithaca’s, Tompkins County’s and Upstate New York’s history, space and place to better understanding how we meet our aspirations and where we still struggle.

Exploring Our History, Space and Place

The resources and events shared on this page offer faculty an opportunity to develop an understanding of how local communities navigate structural racism, systemic bias, indigeneity, colonialism, antisemitism, and related topics. We also include non-content events and resources for faculty to further engage in conversation with colleagues and students.

We invite faculty to join us in conversation and community to further explore what they have learned through the resources listed and events they attend.

Topics

The resources and calendar of events are organized thematically to provide context with the community conversations.

• Understanding Racism and the History of Racial Struggles in the US, Upstate New York and Cornell
  • The resources and events listed contextualize the history of racial struggles of, but not limited to, African American/Black, Asian and Asian American, American Indian/Indigenous, Latina/o/x Hispanic communities.
• Understanding Indigenous History in the U.S. and in Upstate New York as well as Cornell’s History with Indigenous Lands
  • The resources and events listed provide background on the indigenous history of land in the U.S., New York and at Cornell.
• Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Community Members and Engaging in Inclusive Practices.
  • Resources and events that contextualize the lived experiences of community members at Cornell, Ithaca, and in Upstate New York.
• Understanding Anti-semitism
  • Resources
• Understanding Islamophobia
  • Resources

Many of the events are organized by Departments and Programs at Cornell including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, Near Eastern Studies, Comparative Muslim Societies, Religious Studies, Latina/o Studies, Africana Studies and Research Center, American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Jewish Studies, Asian American Studies, and American Studies.

Our first community conversation was held Thursday, Oct 13, from 12-1:30 PM in 401 Physical Sciences Building. For more information, contact OFDD@cornell.edu.