“Cornell Review” Opens “I Touched Carl Sagan” Contest

“The Cornell Review,” a student newspaper at Cornell University, has announced an “I Touched Carl Sagan” contest.

Students who have had “physical contact” with the prominent professor of astronomy are asked to submit 500-word essays describing the experience. Winners get a free subscription.

The Review’s editors say that Cornell’s promotional materials dupe prospective students into thinking they will have frequent contact with high-powered professors. Mr. Sagan, known to the public for his work with public television, this year will teach one seminar for 25 students.

Susan Murphy, vice-president of student and academic affairs, says that Cornell misleads no one and that Mr. Sagan is referred to only briefly in admissions materials. “Will students see him every day on campus? Of course not,” she says.