Over the course of the last four years we have conducted ___ zoom meetings to collect your memories of your time at Cornell. Each session had a discussion topic as a centering theme. We often strayed into other areas as you enthusiastically shared your memories.
Here is a list of the meetings and their initial topics. You can link to a summary of each meeting. We have removed the names of the speakers in the interest of protecting their privacy.
3/13/2022
‘Welcome to the ’71 History project” with break out sessions that were not recorded. Including “one word descriptions of Freshman year”
4/10/2022
Freshman year memories
5/8/2022
Major events that happened during our freshman year and how that they impacted our day to day lives so.
7/10/2022
“What Professor had the greatest impact on you on freshman year and why.”
8/14/2022
First memories of Freshmen year.
9/11/2022
Housing & eating; living on a limited budget; cultural and political environment
11/7/2022
Transition between freshmen and sophomore years
12/12/2022
Academic adjustments, influential professors
2/13/2023
Living on campus; memories of national events, student activism
3/12/2023
Sophomore year; memories of significant events, cultural life
4/16/2023
Sophomore year; racial climate; Straight takeover; Ithaca landmarks
6/4/2023
Sophomore year; memories of significant events; accessibility on campus; social life
10/15/2023
Junior year; academics; political climate
11/20/2023
Senior year; Vietnam draft lottery; political activism; women’s roles and cultural change; summer in Ithaca
12/18/2023
Housing, living, co-ed dorms; political climate; academics & professors; athletics & hockey; person growth
1/23/2024
Housing; gender and social norms; shared living arrangements
2/21/2024
Housing & dorm life; pre-digital communications; Willard Straight Hall takeover; speakers, events, cultural life; work & odd jobs
3/26/2024
Junior-Senior years; student activism; campus traditions; student life; dogs, dorms, clothing; academics and learning; concerts, films, speakers; drugs, Woodstock; how things changed in four years.
4/30/2024
Freshman year; initial encounters with diversity; Straight takeover
5/28/2024
Straight takeover; inside Barton Hall; campus turbulence; Vietnam war & activism; comparing the 70’s with today’s activism
10/29/2024
Academics; memorable courses and professors; cultural and living experiences
11/27/2024
Memories of student activism around the Viet Nam war and course content; unusual living arrangements for transfer students.
1/14/2025
Sharing of old ties; reintroductions and reconnections; updates on current circumstances; how lives unfolded compared to expectations.
2/25/2025
Updates and life changes since college: careers, health, changing priorities.
3/25/2025
Discussion of what led classmates to choose Cornell. One had familiarity because mother was an alumna. –How much less pressured the admissions process was compared to today. –The experience of transitioning to college life
4/29/2025
Communication and information access in the pre-digital age. Physical (large, heavy) textbooks; the concept of library reserves. Financial constraints. Social life shaped by interpersonal contact (vs. digital, social media). Influence of the Vietnam war.
5/29/2025
Emphasis on social / marriage norms and expectations at the time. Geographic isolation led to community bonding.
7/1/2025
Reconstructing lived experiences
9/16/2025
How Cornell experiences shaped our classmates
10/21/2025
Personal growth and reflections
11/25/2025
Dorm life. Curfews: little flexibility; stay out all night better than signing in late.
12/31/2025
Choosing a major
1/21/2026
Shire Cooperative
2/4/2026
This session focused on day to day experiences like living situations, dining, academics and social habits.
3/4/2026
With a focus on senior year these participants expressed an emotional attachment to Cornell and not wanting to leave. participants recalled their many decisions about life after Cornell.
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