Author: Cornell Daily Sun

Peter Meinig, chairman of the Cornell University Board of Trustees and a former associate of a major natural gas company, was urged to recuse himself from any university decisions involving shale gas leasing. Critics argued that Cornell’s credibility — particularly in environmental research and public policy — could be undermined if leadership with industry ties influenced drilling-related land use decisions. The debate spotlighted governance, transparency, and conflicts of interest as Marcellus pressure mounted.