I applied for housing. When will I get my housing assignment?
First-year students who met the May 1 housing application deadline received your housing assignments by email on Monday, June 15. All first-year students who met the May 1 housing application deadline are guaranteed on-campus housing. Those who apply for housing after the May 1 deadline receive their assignments later in July or in early August based on availability.
Transfer students who met the July 1 housing application deadline received your housing assignments by email on Thursday, July 9. (All transfer students who met the July 1 housing application deadline are guaranteed housing. Those who apply for housing after the July 1 deadline are offered housing based upon availability.)Once you receive your housing assignment and sign your housing contract online, you will be mailed a “Your Housing Assignment” packet containing important information about where you will be living, when to arrive, and what you need to know before coming to Cornell.
How do I sign my housing contract?
Within a week of receiving your housing assignment by email, please sign your contract online in Cornell's Housing Portal.
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Access the Housing Portal by visiting housing.cornell.edu and clicking on "Log in to the Housing Portal" in the left-hand menu bar.
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Log in using your Cornell NetID (if you have activated it) or the Applicant ID assigned to you when you applied to Cornell (example: APP08-CU123). (If you need assistance with your NetID, Applicant ID, or password, visit cit.cornell.edu/identity or call (607) 255-8990.
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Click on the “Application” tab at the top of the page, select the “09/10 Academic Year” contract period, then click “Save & Continue.”
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Proceed to the “Contract” page (step 7 in the Application Menu), review and accept the Housing Terms and Conditions, and then click “Confirm.” An automatic email will be sent to you to confirm your housing contract.
Please note that your housing assignment is not confirmed until you sign your housing contract!
How do I view roommate information?
Follow step 1-3 in the instructions above, then visit the “Application Status” page at the bottom of the Application Menu, where you will find the screen name(s) of your assigned roommate(s). To view a roommate’s profile, click on the “View Profile” button; to send them an email, click on the “Send Message” button.
What will my mailing address be?
For almost all residents, your on-campus address will be as follows:
Your Name
Building, Room Number
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Please make not of the following exceptions:
112 Edgemoor: 112 Edgemoor Lane, Room Number, Ithaca, NY 14850
14 South Ave.: 14 South Ave., Room Number, Ithaca, NY 14850
Ecology House: 1 Country Club Road, Room Number, Ithaca NY, 14850
Schuyler House: 112 Sage Place, Room Number, Ithaca, NY 14850
Cooperative Houses: Street Address, Room Number, Ithaca, NY 14850
Which service center will I use?
Click here for a list of which service centers provide mail and other services for which residence, in addition to telephone numbers and hours of operation.
How are housing assignments made?
We have an automated process called Auto Assign. If we received your housing application by the May 1 deadline (July 1 for transfer students), Auto Assign will assign you to the room type you requested, based upon availability. Please be aware that we have a limited number of certain types of rooms, and you may not get your first choice. Those who apply after the deadline will be assigned to the remaining available spaces on a first-date-received basis.
Students assigned to double or triple rooms will be matched with a roommate or roommates based on the lifestyle preference section of the housing application. You may also request to be placed with a specific roommate or roommates, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Can I request a different room assignment?
Due to an unusually large incoming class, all Cornell residences are currently at full occupancy and it is unlikely that we will be able to accommodate room change requests.
What if I don’t like my room once I get to campus?
We encourage students to give their room assignment a chance – most students end up being happy with their living arrangements. If, however, you still want to request a room change, you will need to see your Residence Hall Director or Assistant Dean to complete a room change request form. There is a $100 room change fee. Please keep in mind that a room change may not be possible for several weeks into the semester since we must first complete a room census to determine vacancies.
Preparing for move-in:
When may I move in?
Friday, August 21, 2009. Due to the large number of students checking in to North Campus and West Campus residence halls and Houses on that day, students assigned to those communities are given a move-in time based on the first letter of their last name:
A-G 8:00am-11:00am
H-O 11:00am-2:00pm
P-Z 2:00pm-5:00pm
(Transfer students assigned to Collegetown residences may move in any time between 8:00am and 5:00pm.)
In order to facilitate a smooth move-in experience for everyone, students who arrive early will not be able to check in before their assigned move-in time. If you cannot check in during your move-in time, please contact the Housing Office ahead of time at housing@cornell.edu.
Are there any vehicle limitations for move-in?
Yes. In order to keep traffic congestion to a minimum, families may bring one vehicle onto campus on move-in day. Vehicles over 14 feet in length will not be permitted on campus EXCEPT SUVs, pick-up trucks, or standard vans/minivans. If you wish to use a U-Haul or any other oversize vehicle, you may move your belongings into your residence hall on Saturday, August 22. If you have been issued a move-in time, please make sure that the Unloading Permit you receive with your housing assignment mailing is clearly displayed on your dashboard at all times.
Where can my parents stay overnight after dropping me off?
We recommend making reservations ahead of time. View a list of local motels, hotels and inns here.
What will my room include?
Your room will have a twin bed, desk, desk chair, desk lamp, bureau, and wastebasket for each occupant. These must not be removed from the room. The furniture provided meets most students' needs, and it is best not to duplicate those items or bring large furniture. The windows have drapes, shades, or blinds. Your service center can give you more information on furnishings and measurements.
What additional items should I bring for my room?
It's a good idea to check with your roommate(s) before the academic year begins so you don't duplicate items, but some general suggestions include: sheets and bedding that fit an extra-long twin bed; a pillow; towels; a container to hold/carry toiletries; storage crates; clothes hangers; a sewing kit; office supplies; a UL-approved outlet strip with breaker switch (extension cords are prohibited); an alarm clock; your computer, if you have one; a stereo (or speakers for your iPod); a fan; and a floor lamp. Thermostatically controlled appliances are allowed (i.e., popcorn poppers, coffee pots, automatic toasters) but must be operated in your residence hall kitchen.
Is there anything I should NOT bring with me?
Yes, as a matter of safety there are a few items that you are NOT allowed to have in your room: extension cords; "spider" lamps; any lamp (particularly a halogen lamp) that requires a bulb greater than 150 watts; appliances not controlled by thermostats; candles; incense burners; microwave ovens (except for residents of the Townhouse Community); and cinder blocks. Additionally, weapons and firearms must be registered and kept with Cornell University Police and may not be kept in residence halls.
What size linens and bedding will fit my bed?
Residence hall mattresses are 8" thick by 36" wide by 80" long -- that's extra long -- and regular twin size sheets will not fit. You may purchase extra-long twin sheets at your regular shopping center, or you can take advantage of Cornell’s optional linen purchase plan. More information about the linen plan will be available in the "Your Housing Assignment" packet that you will receive, but in the meantime visit www.rhl.org/cor for more information.
Can I have a refrigerator or microwave in my room?
Many students find it convenient to have a small refrigerator or "microfridge" (combined microwave and refrigerator) in their rooms. You may either bring your own -- assuming it does not draw more than 3 amps [300 watts] to start and 1.5 amps while running -- or Campus Life can help you rent one. Information about refrigerator/microfridge rental is included with the “Your Housing Assignment” mailing. You may also order a refrigerator by visiting www.campusspec.com or by calling 1-800-525-7307.
Stand-alone microwaves are prohibited in individual residence hall rooms; students may use the microwave in their building's shared kitchen instead. The exception is in the Townhouse Community, where residents may bring a microwave for use in their apartments. Townhouse apartments come equipped with a large refrigerator in each kitchen.
What kind of clothes should I bring?
Many student find it works well to bring clothes for the first 7 weeks only, if you're going to be heading home for fall break (October 10-13). Keep in mind that September and October can be chilly and wet in Ithaca, so be sure to bring jeans, sweaters or a light jacket, and rain gear.
How will I access the Internet?
Cornell’s broadband Internet service, ResNet, is available in all residents’ rooms through a wired data jack (one per occupant). Additionally, many campus locations -- including most North Campus residences -- offer Wi-Fi Internet access coverage through RedRover, Cornell's Wi-Fi service.
The first 10 Gigabytes (GB) per month of Internet use (ResNet or RedRover) is included in your room fee. Internet use beyond 10 GB per month incurs a “network usage-based billing” (NUBB) fee. Information about NUBB fees is available at http://www2.cit.cornell.edu/ncs/netrates/overview.html#students.
For information about ResNet, visit cit.cornell.edu/resnet. For information about RedRover (including maps of coverage), visit cit.cornell.edu/services/redrover.
Will I have telephone service in my room?
Because most students have cell phones, landline phones are no longer provided in individual rooms in the residence halls and Program Houses on North Campus (except for in Ecology House and the Townhouse Community). West Campus and Collegetown residences will continue to have landline phones available in each room for 2009-2010, after which phones will begin to be phased out of service.
For communities without individual room phones, shared landline phones for campus, local, and toll-free calling will be available in common areas in each building. You may also have a phone jack activated for use with a personal landline phone in your room. To inquire about phone jack activation, fees, and billing, contact Cornell Information Technologies at ncs-os@cornell.edu or 607-254-NCS1 (6271). Full details are available at www.cit.cornell.edu/catc/services/resphone.
What about cable TV?Cornell residents may subscribe to DirecTV, an IP-based television service from Campus TeleVideo. Active network jacks are available in each residence hall or house room. Students interested in having a television in an area without an active network jack, such as a shared living area in a suite, can either run cable from an active network jack to the shared area or pay to have a jack in the shared area activated. For information on fees and service, and to sign up, visit www.campustelevideo.com/studentservices/cornell.asp.
Even though DirecTV is an IP-based service, it does not affect fees for Internet usage beyond 10 GBs (see “How will I access the Internet?” above). The use of Slingbox or similar place-shifting TV viewing is not recommended as these services may result in additional charges for Internet use beyond 10 GBs.
Where can I ship personal belongings prior to arrival?
Please time the shipping of all items so that they arrive after Monday, August 17. All shipped items should be clearly marked with your name and mailing address (see "What will my mailing address be?" above). You may pick up your items at your service center. Alternatively, you may use Cornell’s Big Red Shipping & Storage service, which will have your items waiting in your room when you arrive. Find out more here.
Is storage space available?
Not on campus. Big Red Shipping and Storage provides storage service; visit their website here.
Should I bring my bicycle?
Definitely. Cornell is a big place and having a bicycle makes it a lot easier to get around. Most buildings on campus have designated bicycle racks or storage areas. All Cornellians must register and license their bicycles (free of charge) with Transportation Services. Make sure to bring a sturdy lock as well.
How about my car?
We highly recommend that new students leave their cars at home. Traffic and parking are very restricted on campus, and it is likely that first-year and transfer students will be assigned peripheral parking far from their residence halls. Most students walk or take public transit. If you do plan to bring a car, you must register ahead of time with Transportation Services and pay a parking fee.
Can I keep a pet in my room?
University policy prohibits student from keeping pets in their residence hall rooms other than fish in tanks no larger than ten gallons. The exception is Ecology House, whose residents can keep very small pets that are confined at all times to cages or aquariums. Dogs, cats, and rabbits are prohibited. Pre-approved service dogs are permitted, but not for training or companion purposes.
After move-in:
Am I allowed to drive nails into the walls of my room?
No, you may only use blue tape or other approved light adhesives. Keep in mind that you can be billed for any damage to your room beyond normal wear and tear. You can purchase Campus Life approved tape, moulding hooks, other residence hall room products at the Cornell Store, located on Ho Plaza.
Can I have furniture removed from my room?
No, all furniture in your room must stay in the room.
Can I loft my bed?
Yes, but there are only a limited number of lofting kits available. We recommend putting in a service request before arriving on campus so your bed will already be lofted when you move in. You may submit a request here: tma.campuslife.cornell.edu/request.html.
If you want to loft your bed later in the semester, you may also submit a service request then.
Can I store my empty boxes?
There is no storage space available in the residence halls for empty boxes, suitcases, trunks, and/or your personal belongings, except the space available in your room. Please be prepared to either take your empty boxes home or to recycle them.
Are residence halls open during holiday breaks? May I keep my belongings in my room during winter break?
Residence halls are closed during the winter recess period, but are open during all other holiday breaks. You may keep your belongings in your room during winter break, but you will have no access to your residence hall and room from the last day of the fall semester until the first day of the spring semester. You are required to unplug all electric equipment before leaving for winter break.
Is there any housing available during winter break?
Yes, but it is extremely limited, and is generally reserved for international students who cannot travel home over the break. Information will be posted during the fall semester about winter break housing. Keep in mind that winter break housing is usually in one building, in a lounge area, and may cost extra. You will not be able to stay in your regular room.
Is smoking allowed in the residence halls?
No. There is no smoking in the residence halls or in any campus buildings. This is university policy as well as New York State law.
When does my meal plan start?
You may sign up for a meal plan beginning by visiting Cornell Dining’s website. If you sign up for a meal plan before arriving on campus, your meal plan will be active starting for lunch on move-in day (Friday, August 21, 2009). Students who have not yet signed up for a meal plan (and their guests) may eat in the dining halls by paying with cash or credit card.
How does the laundry system work?
There are washers and dryers in each residence or complex. Payment for use is through a Campus Life debit account accessed with your Cornell ID card. You can establish this debit account after your NetID is activated by visiting card.campuslife.cornell.edu. The recommended starting amount is $25; subsequent deposits can be made any time. Please note that leftover money on your card cannot be refunded.
Students may also drop off dry cleaning and bulk laundry at Appel Service Center or Robert Purcell Service Center. Check with either service center when you get to campus.
Questions?
If you have other questions, please contact the Housing Office, 206 Robert Purcell Community Center, at housing@cornell.edu or (607) 255-5368.