Frequently Asked Questions

Topics: Moving-in and Orientation | Registration |Transfers

Moving-in and Orientation

What time can I move in on August 17, 2007?

Residence Halls open at 8:00am. All students moving into a residence hall on North Campus are given a designated move-in time based on their last name to help with traffic flow (you will receive additional information in the mail with important housing information).

Arrival times are strictly enforced.  If you arrive before your assigned time, you will NOT be permitted to check in early. Students and staff volunteers in red shirts will be on hand to help. All students moving into a residence hall on West Campus or into Collegetown can move in anytime between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Please note, any trucks over 14’ long will not be permitted on campus on Friday (SUVs, pick-up trucks, or standard vans/minivans are permitted). Any trucks 14’ or longer will be allowed to drop off their loads on Saturday. However, there will not be volunteers available that day to assist you.

If you plan to arrive before your scheduled move-in time on campus Friday, August 17, you will be able to take care of Registration and other errands before you are permitted to move-in. You will be directed to park your vehicle and utilize the campus shuttles.

If you have other questions, contact the Housing and Dining Office at 607-255-5368 or housing@cornell.edu.

Where can I find more information about housing and living on campus?

Find your housing answers here.

Where can I order bed linens for my room?

You can order linens online by going here.

*Keep in mind, residence hall mattresses are 8" thick by 36" wide by 80" long - that's extra long - and regular twin size sheets will not fit. For more information about shipping linens or other items to your room, click here.

What happens if I arrive to Ithaca on or before Thursday, August 16?

Many families find it useful to arrive on Thursday, August 16. Arriving early will allow you to take care of any shopping, banking, or other errands. However, new students are not able to move-in, register, or address any other on-campus needs prior to Friday, August 17.

I'm a parent of a new student and I want to attend Orientation. What's the schedule?

All new students are required to attend Orientation from Friday, August 17, through Wednesday, August 22. While families are not required to attend Orientation, many families who accompany their students spend time on campus and in the community on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18. During this time there are optional information sessions and tours that are specifically intended for the parents and families of new students. Many of the schools and colleges also offer family-specific events during this period.

Parents and families should make arrangements to say goodbye to their students and leave campus on Saturday evening or first thing Sunday morning.

A schedule of family-focused Orientation events will be included in the Family Guide mailing, which will get mailed to parents and families on, or about, June 26, 2007.

Registration

I'm Here! Now what?
At New Student Registration, you will receive a packet of information containing a checklist of important “musts” you need to resolve. If you’ve done your “homework,” the list will be very small, and your time at registration short. You will pick up your ID card, which you need for just about everything on campus. This is also where you take care of any obligations that you did not do over the summer, such as pay a bill, register for your swim test, sign up for a meal plan, etc. Please plan on using the buses to get around campus on Friday.

Can my family come to registration with me?
New Student Registration is for students only! Family members are encouraged to attend the Campus Services Event in nearby Barton Hall. Students will be directed to the Campus Services Event after completing registration. Chances are that you will only be at registration for a short time.

Will I be enrolling in my classes?
No! This is not where you enroll in classes! Please refer to your particular college’s course enrollment procedures for information about enrollment. Registration is where you complete university-wide administrative requirements.

Can I do some of this online prior to coming to campus in August?
Yes you can! We highly recommend that you register for a swim test, activate your network ID and Cornell email address, complete Travelers of the Electronic Highway, complete the online alcohol education program (information will be mailed in July), and complete the required (and any optional) forms in Cornell Bound prior to coming to campus.

What if I arrive late?
If you arrive after 6:00pm Friday, go to your residence hall’s service center to pick up your keys and registration packet. Instructions on your packet will tell you if you need to come to Bartels Hall on Monday, August 20, to complete registration.

What if I cannot be on campus on Friday? Can I arrive on Saturday or later?
We strongly recommended that students arrive on Friday for several reasons. First, there are several meetings and events that students are required to attend both Friday and Saturday, including New Student Registration, meeting your Resident Advisor, and attending Convocation. Second, all academic Orientations start on Saturday, and all students need to go to their college’s academic Orientation. Third, we highly recommend that students use this time to acclimate to Cornell so as to make the transition into their class schedule easier.

What if I am a student with a disability?
Any student requiring reasonable accommodations for equal access to Cornell University should contact Student Disability Services at (607) 254-4545.

What is the difference between my Cornell ID, my NetID, and my Cornellcard?
Your Cornell ID is your picture identification card that identifies you as a member of the Cornell community. You will use it for meal plan dining, door access, taking out books at the library, riding TCAT’s Blue Light buses, and many other identification purposes. Your NetID is a combination of your initials and numbers that make up the first part of your Cornell email address. It is used to securely access network services. Your CornellCard is a service activated on your Cornell ID if you have filled out the application form. It works similarly to a cash card, and allows you to charge purchases to a designated account. Every registered student must have a Cornell ID and a NetID. Cornellcard is an option for students, but is not required. You may also complete a form online at
www.bursar.cornell.edu/cornellcard.cfm.

What if I am a student requiring special religious consideration?
Cornell University is committed to the values of diversity and inclusiveness. This commitment includes embracing religious diversity. As part of this commitment, the University will make good faith efforts to provide a reasonable accommodation of any student’s sincerely-held religious belief. All students needing a special accommodation for the scheduling of exams, classes, or labs need however to consult with their appropriate academic department ahead of time to work out alternative arrangements. For additional support and counsel, please consult with Cornell’s chaplain office, Cornell United Religious Work at (607) 255-4214.

Transfers

• How many transfers are there at Cornell?
• Where do transfers live?
• Do I have to take the swim test?
• How do I take care of my transfer credits?
• What class do I affiliate with?
• How do I find out about activities going on while I'm here?
• How can I get involved right away?

How many transfers are there at Cornell?
There are usually about 500 entering transfers each fall. That makes up about 1/6 of incoming new students.

Where do transfers live?
Check out the Campus Life website at www.housing.cornell.edu for more information about your options.

Do I have to take the swim test?
No, as long as you transfer 30 or more credits to Cornell you are exempt from the PE requirement and therefor exempt from the swim test. However, if you elect to take PE classes or you transfer less than 2 semesters (30 credits) you must take the swim test.

How do I take care of my transfer credits?
Each college determines how many and which credits you may bring with you to Cornell. Be sure to talk with your advising office (some colleges designate a specific advisor to transfer students) to understand what options are available to you.

What class do I affiliate with?
Officially with the university, it will depend on the number of credit hours you come in with, but you may decide to affiliate with any class that you feel is best for you while you are here. The Class Councils will not turn you away if you decide to call yourself a sophomore while the university states that technically you are a junior.

How do I find out about activities going on while I'm here?
Check out late-night programming options at www.rso.cornell.edu/cutonight/ or the university calendar at www.cuinfo.cornell.edu/Calendar.

How can I get involved right away?
In early September, the Student Activities Fair will happen on Ho Plaza in front of Willard Straight Hall. Hundreds of student organizations will be present at their tables to share their information and recruit new members. In the meantime, all registered organizations can be found at www.sao.cornell.edu/SO Keep your eyes open during Orientation as well-many student groups and departments co-sponsor events and will be present at activities.