Cornell University is celebrating the 70th anniversary of opening the Buffalo office of its School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
That included a panel discussion yesterday featuring Lois Gray who opened that office all those decades ago. Cornell Vice Provost Judy Appleton says the school retains its value to the community as part of the Engaged Cornell program. Appleton says specific issues may have changed but the work hasn't.
"The interest in the work and the scholarship of the faculty continues," Appleton said.
"The faculty is a different group of people than it was 70 years ago but a lot of the issues are still very relevant today."
When the office opened it was in a rancorous labor scene as the wage controls of World War II faded out and workers wanted more money. Today, many of those jobs have gone somewhere else and there is pressure on workers even in plants that do well. Cornell researchers study the industries which have survived to help them stay that way. The school has moved to the Cornell Center in the Market Arcade which will serve all local aspects of the university.
