I think the new Business School is a great idea for Cornell and for students. As an Arts & Sciences alum from outside NY, I have always thought that Cornell had a number of slightly confusing schools and overlapping majors between schools. Combining business-related majors under one roof may help Cornell reduce costs that are duplicated between schools, and it should make marketing to applicants around the country/world easier. Just pick Business! Even my son’s high school counselor talked about the confusing mix of schools at Cornell this fall. He decided to apply anyway, but to Engineering, which seemed fairly defined to him, yet offers a plethora of options for majors underneath that engineering umbrellal. The new business school can be that same unified but diverse type of organization.
With a more consolidated and bigger brand name, hopefully applicants interested in business will begin to see Cornell as a definite competitor to Wharton. It certainly has a more beautiful campus & setting! Employers may also find the single business school easier to navigate.
This new business school is one of the best changes Cornell has made in a while. I wonder if it was the new, but now sadly deceased, President’s brainstorm. She came from USC, which is such a dynamic university with a super business school.