Cornell Update: Climate Week Events, Supreme Court Lawsuit, Toni Morrison Tribute, Sports Triumphs, Campus Renovations, and New Provost

Good afternoon, Cornell community. Here's what's happening on campus as of Monday, September 8, 2025. Cornell University is set to participate in Climate Week NYC 2025, taking place from September 21 to 28. The university will host events focusing on topics such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence for climate solutions, nature finance, and the built environment. These initiatives aim to foster critical conversations on science-based climate solutions. In legal news, the U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a class-action lawsuit involving 28,000 Cornell employees. The suit alleges excessive fees in the university's retirement plans. The court's unanimous decision emphasizes that plaintiffs are not required to preemptively claim that statutory exemptions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) don’t apply. Instead, it's the responsibility of the retirement plans to present such exemptions as affirmative defenses. Additionally, the White House is reportedly considering imposing fines on several universities, including Cornell, for allegedly failing to adequately address antisemitism on their campuses. The administration is using the prospect of continued access to federal funding as leverage in these discussions. A four-day event titled "Toni Morrison: Literature and Public Life" is scheduled from September 18 to 21. This celebration marks the 70th anniversary of Morrison's degree and will feature films, panels, workshops, and the unveiling of a mural. For those interested in graduate studies, the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning is hosting a series of virtual information sessions from September 3 to December 17. These sessions will provide insights into graduate programs, student experiences, and application processes. The Cornell men's lacrosse team clinched its first NCAA national championship since 1977 by defeating Maryland 13-10. Star player CJ Kirst led the Big Red with six goals and an assist, tying the Division I single-season record with 82 goals and setting a new career scoring record at 247 goals. In football, the Big Red opened their season with a 41-24 loss to Colgate. Quarterback Jameson Wang completed 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. The team looks to bounce back in their upcoming Ivy League opener against Yale. Renovations to Balch Hall are nearing completion. North Balch Hall is set to reopen for the fall 2024 semester, while South Balch will remain under renovation until fall 2025. The project includes window replacements, bathroom upgrades, and improved accessibility features. In administrative news, Kavita Bala, the inaugural dean of the Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, has been named Cornell's 17th provost. She will begin her new role on January 1, 2025. Thorsten Joachims will serve as interim dean of the college. That's all for today's update. Stay informed and engaged, Cornell.