Local News: December 6, 2023

- Cornell changes admissions application essays because of overturn of affirmative action -

Cornell University’s undergraduate application has changed. The Cornell Daily Sun reports the change was made in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action. But, Cornell officials did not give the paper a reason for the change. The application for the 2023-24 school year includes a question asking prospective students to reflect on personal life experiences that relate to the school’s founding motto, “any person … any study.” The Supreme Court decision outlawed the use of race-based affirmative action policies in college admissions. Other Ivy League schools have also changed their applications since the court ruling in June. 

- Three Southern Finger Lakes counties to get over $2 million to support climate-resilient farming projects -

Steuben, Tompkins, and Cortland county agencies are getting over $2 million in state funding to help farms adjust to the impacts of climate change. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of each county will help farms and orchards with several projects including irrigation water management, planting trees as buffers along river banks, and ways to capture stormwater.

- Newfield gets over $1 million in state funding for water and sewer infrastructure -

The Tompkins County town of Newfield is getting over $1 million for new water and sewer infrastructure. A press release from State Senator Lea Webb says the money will allow the town to add water filtration that will “remove emerging contaminants” from the drinking water. The funding is a combination of over half a million dollars in short-term interest-free financing, a short-term market-rate loan, and a state grant.