Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

The New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell University stands as a pioneering institution in the field of workplace studies. Established in 1945, ILR is a statutory college within Cornell University, receiving funding from the State of New York through the State University of New York (SUNY) system. As the world's first school dedicated to college-level study of workplace issues, ILR remains a leading center for industrial relations education and research. This article provides a detailed overview of the ILR School, encompassing its history, academic programs, campus facilities, and significant contributions to the field.

Historical Context and Founding Principles

The genesis of the ILR School can be traced back to 1944 when a coalition of leaders from various sectors, including business, industry, labor, government, and education, united to establish a school focused on industrial and labor relations. The State Legislature officially established the school in 1945, acting upon the recommendations of the New York State Joint Legislative Committee on Industrial and Labor Conditions. This committee, formed in 1938 and headed by Irving M. Ives, recognized a critical imbalance in the management-labor relationship: the disparity in technical information and skills possessed by each group hindered the achievement of mutually beneficial outcomes.

The committee's proposed solution was to create a "common training program" for representatives from both labor and management. This program aimed to foster a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the management-labor dynamic. The committee emphasized that the value of such a program lay not merely in shared attendance but in the "mutual and cooperative analysis of the problems common to both groups." The ultimate goal was to stabilize negotiations by equipping leaders on all sides with common technical knowledge and competencies. In 1942, the committee advocated for the establishment of ILR at Cornell, the state’s land-grant institution. Formal legislative action followed two years later, with Governor Dewey approving the school's establishment. Irving Ives served as the first dean of the school but soon after became a United States Senator for New York. In the summer of 1947, Martin P. Catherwood succeeded Ives as dean. Edmund Ezra Day, then-President of Cornell University, also championed the school. The state of New York provided generous funding to support the school's mission. Labor law expert Milton R. Konvitz was a founding faculty member and remained active until his death in 2003. Frances Perkins, who served as Secretary of Labor for 12 years under Franklin D. Roosevelt, also contributed significantly to the school.

Academic Programs and Curriculum

The ILR School offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the complexities of the workplace. It offered the first 4-year degree (B.S.) in the field of industrial and labor relations. The program is multidisciplinary, drawing from fields such as law, management, history, organizational psychology, sociology, economics, and statistics. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific academic and career interests by combining electives from ILR and other Cornell schools.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program at ILR leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. Unlike many similar schools that only offer master's and doctoral degrees in related fields, Cornell's ILR School is one of the few that offers a four-year undergraduate program focused on work and employment. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:

Read also: Immersive Pre-College Experience

Human resource management
Labor-management relations
Labor economics
Organizational behavior
International and comparative labor
Labor relations, labor law, and history
Conflict resolution
Management development
Diversity management
Employment and disability
Social statistics

Originally, students had ninety-seven of the required 120 hours prescribed for them. The first two years consisted of many social science classes such as American history and government, sociology, psychology, economics, and law. Students were required to take English and public speaking courses as well as courses in accounting and statistics. The last two years of coursework were the technical core: classes that were expected to provide the students with the technical skills and competencies which enable them to develop professional expertise within the field of industrial and labor relations. Examples of these courses include: history of labor and labor-union organization and management, business organization and management, and corporate finance. Beyond the classroom, students were expected to gain applied experience, primarily through a required summer work-training program.

Sophomore year students have the following course requirements: Introductory Statistics, Labor and Employment Law, Human Resource Management, Labor Relations, Economics of Wages and Unemployment, and an advanced writing course. Junior and Senior level students are required to take 24 credits from within the school's six departments. The school also sponsors a chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The school's undergraduate contingent has claimed the national title at SHRM's HR Games twice-in 2002 and 2004. ILR students study human resource management; labor-management relations; labor economics; organizational behavior; international and comparative labor; labor relations, labor law and history; conflict resolution; management development; diversity management; employment and disability; and social statistics.

Graduate Programs

The ILR School offers several graduate programs, including:

Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR)
Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
Executive Master of Human Resource Management (EMHRM)
Master of Science (MS)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

These programs provide advanced study and research opportunities for students seeking to deepen their expertise in industrial and labor relations. The graduate programs cater to both on-campus students and working professionals through blended degree programs.

Special Study Options

To meet the academic objectives of our students, the school’s faculty has established several special study options. These include:

Read also: Cornell University Semester Guide

Research Opportunities: Students can engage in research projects under the guidance of faculty members.
Graduation with Honors in Research: Students who demonstrate exceptional research skills and academic achievement can graduate with honors in research.
Minors: Students can pursue minors in various disciplines to complement their studies in industrial and labor relations.
Accelerated Pathways: The school offers accelerated pathways such as the 3+3 Pathway with Cornell Law School and the Five-Year Master of Science Degree Program.
International Study Options: Students can participate in study abroad programs, the ILR Exchange Program, and specialized initiatives like the ILR/UCD Semester in Dublin and ILR Global Service Learning Programs.
ILR Global Scholars Program: The ILR Global Scholars Program further encourages students to incorporate global perspectives through coursework, language study, and international experiences.

Campus Facilities and Resources

The ILR School's main campus is situated near the center of Cornell, comprising several key buildings:

Ives Hall: Named after ILR founding dean Irving Ives, Ives Hall is the primary academic building. It is divided into a classroom/student wing and a faculty wing, with separate lounges for undergraduate and graduate students.
Ives West Hall
Ives East Hall
Dolgen Hall
King Shaw Hall
Martin P. Catherwood Library: This library is one of only two official depository libraries of the International Labour Organization (the other being the Library of Congress).
ILR Conference Center: Featuring a distinctive belfry, the conference center hosts special training sessions, recruiting events, and offices for the United Auto Workers. The 1911 building which houses the ILR Conference Center was rededicated as Patricia G. and Rubén Jose King-Shaw, Jr. Hall.
Research Building: This building houses the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution and offices for the ILR Review.

In addition to the main campus, ILR occupies 40,000 square feet of space in the General Electric Building at 570 Lexington Avenue in New York City, housing almost 100 staff members. Seven ILR institutes and programs are based here, including the R.

Extension and Outreach Programs

Since 1946, the ILR School has participated in Cornell University's cooperative extension program, which reaches every county in the state. The school's Extension and Outreach divisions provide instruction to professionals engaged in industrial relations, human resources, and workplace development activities.

International Programs

The ILR School has a strong international focus, with programs designed to promote global understanding and collaboration. The school's international program hosts scholars from other nations to conduct research in Ithaca as visiting fellows. Students can participate in study abroad programs, the ILR Exchange Program, and specialized initiatives like the ILR/UCD Semester in Dublin and ILR Global Service Learning Programs.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The ILR School has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields. These include:

Read also: Architecture of Donlon Hall

New York City Labor Mediator Theodore W. Kheel (BA 1935, JD 1937) from 1956-1982 appointed by Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr., John Lindsay and Abraham Beame
New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Harry T. Edwards
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Alan B. Krueger
Rabbi Bruce M. Lustig
Priceline.com founder Jay S. Walker
San Diego Padres General Manager A. J. Preller
President of UNITE HERE Bruce S. Raynor
National Football League Players Association President J. C. Tretter
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Harry T. Edwards
New York City Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy
President of the NHL Gary Bettman
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
AFT President Randi Weingarten

Current and former faculty members include:

Charles Tharp, former SVP of HR at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Saks
Francine D. Blau
Former Academy of Management President David A. Whetten
Cabinet member, the longest-serving (12 years) Secretary of Labor, witness to the Triangle Factory fire, and champion of both the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Social Security Act, Frances Perkins
Andy Stern, former President of the SEIU, holds an appointment as the Alice B. Grant Professor for the Future of Work.

Student Support and Community

The ILR School operates with a three-tiered support system, comprising academic advisors, peer mentors, and faculty mentors. OSS Academic Advisors, as professional guides, assist students with degree planning, course selection, and help address academic and personal challenges. Faculty Mentors from all departments within the ILR School, offer discipline-specific mentorship, sharing insights about pursuing research, career pathways, and aligning academic goals with academic and professional aspirations beyond undergraduate study. Peer Mentors, experienced students, provide relatable peer-to-peer support, aiding newcomers in acclimating to college life and fostering a sense of community and belonging. Through this collaborative approach, we aim to provide seamless communication and coordination, to help empower students holistically, share and encourage use of resources, and facilitate regular check-ins to assess progress and address concerns. We believe this advising approach enriches the college experience, promoting academic success, personal growth, resilience building, and overall well-being. In the ILR School, you are not assigned to a single advisor but to the OSS advising team. We encourage students to meet with all of us and determine what works best for you thereafter. You should plan to meet with an advisor about anything that impacts your student experience at ILR/Cornell.

ILR provides unique opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in intellectual pursuits outside of the classroom and form a sense of community. The ILR School prepares graduates for leadership positions in many fields, including labor relations, business, law, government, and public service. Founded as the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, ILR has the largest undergraduate program in the country devoted entirely to the study of people, policies and processes in organizations and the workplace. When ILR students graduate, they join an 13,000+ alumni network that reaches every corner of the world.

tags: #cornell #university #industrial #and #labor #relations