Provost’s Message to Students and Staff


Dear Cornellians,

For the past several years, faculty with expertise in the social sciences have guided extensive discussions to consider how to further elevate these critical areas of inquiry at Cornell as we position the university for sustained, long-term excellence and prominence in these fields. Following these comprehensive reviews, which have been informed by thoughtful input from faculty, students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders, I am pleased to announce a vision for Cornell’s future that includes important structural changes and new investments in the social sciences.

After extensive consultation with President Pollack, the Social Sciences Implementation Committee chairs, department chairs, deans and vice provosts, we are launching the Cornell School of Public Policy. This new school will be a separate entity with a dean reporting to the provost. Importantly, the College of Human Ecology will continue to function as an independent college. We’re also moving forward with the creation of super-departments for the fields of Psychology and Sociology, as well as expanding the existing super-department for Economics.

For more on these bold, transformational changes, please see the following Cornell Chronicle article or visit the Social Sciences Review website.

I wish to thank many of you who took the time to participate in this process with your ideas and feedback.

Sincerely,

Michael I. Kotlikoff
Provost