A crosscut when performed on wood is when the saw blade cuts across its grain. In other words the cutting is not in line with, or running alongside with the direction of the wood grain.
This may occur at angles other than 90 degrees of the grain. Specialty cuts at other degrees still require the cutting to be performed in a way that is not in line with wood grain direction.
Wood Hardener is typically a liquid material. The liquid is often made of a cross linking polymer and film forming agents.
Basic Wood Hardeners can be made of acrylics. Heavy duty options can be found in 2 part epoxy versions. Each can have their benefits and detractors depending upon the intended use.
Knowing if SCAD is a good school for art will require looking at them through multiple lenses. There are multiple dimensions to the question depending upon how it is asked.
I was able to walk through the campus looking at their programs, and some of their behind the scenes projects which will soon come out.