As students begin moving in on August 15, Cornell will mark a milestone in residential life: The final three buildings of the North Campus Residential Expansion will open, allowing all freshmen and sophomores live on campus or affiliated with Cornell. housing
The expansion has been 6 1/2 years in the making, with the Toni Morrison and Ganędagǫ wards opening last year, adding 800 beds, and the Barbara McClintock, Hu Shih and Ruth Bader Ginsburg wards adding 1,200 beds this fall.
“It cannot be said enough that the expansion is a truly transformative project,” said Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life. “It supports and fulfills many elements of our institutional vision for our student experience and is a very big first step in a long-term strategy around renewing and improving the residential experience.”
The move-in process has been extended from three days to five to accommodate the larger numbers, with freshmen arriving August 15-17 and upperclassmen moving in August 18-19 .
“I’m really excited for this year, especially after the last two years that were so dominated by COVID,” said Tim Blair, executive director of housing and residential life. “Although the pandemic is not over, it seems we can now get back to what we are here to do. And having freshmen and sophomores on campus demonstrates the importance of a residential life experience in creating a foundation for ‘success of our students as they move forward in their careers at Cornell.’
In addition to the buildings, a new turf field will open on North Campus this semester, as will a cafeteria, Novick’s, in Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall. The complex of buildings also includes a dining hall and a gymnasium, and each building has wellness and study spaces and dedicated spaces for students from across campus to gather.
The expansion allows Cornell to offer higher quality housing, both in new buildings and by allowing upgrades to older buildings on campus; Balch Hall, for example, is currently closed for redevelopment, which would not be possible without the additional housing. The added space will also allow the university to increase enrollment incrementally and ease pressure on the local housing market. Most importantly, it will facilitate the implementation of new and improved programming to support freshmen and sophomores and build strong communities.
“We’re really changing the foundation of how we work with students in the hallways,” said Abby Priehs, director of residential life. “We are emphasizing intentional interactions, facilitated by residential advisors, to ensure that students receive the resources they need in both freshman and sophomore years.”
The new facilities were designed with community in mind, with each building offering community spaces, including kitchens where groups of students can prepare and share meals.
“After the last two years of the pandemic, I think it’s more important than ever to make sure we’re providing the right environment for students to connect with each other and thrive,” Lombardi said. “I’m excited to see how these design choices play out this year in our three new buildings.”
New and transfer students will begin guidance on August 18, with First Night on North from 8 to 11 p.m. On August 21, the five days of orientation events will end with the Convocation of new students from 11 to 12 with a picnic and lawn games following the convocation from noon. at 2 p.m., both at the Schoellkopf field.
Orientation will provide new students with many opportunities to learn about Cornell and begin building community from their first moments on campus. In addition to information sessions, library and resource tours, meetings with residential advisors and Orientation leaders, social events include a Freshman Festival on August 18th from 8-11pm in Barton Hall, featuring bounce houses, food and giveaways, and a S’mores and Movie Night August 19 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Arts Quad.
Cornell’s Caring Community, an event reimagined this year in partnership with the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, will introduce students to ways to navigate life at Cornell through student testimonials and will familiarize them with the standards. and the expectations of being a Cornell student. This event is offered in four smaller sessions (on August 20), rather than one large session as in previous years, to make it more attractive.
“This is a required presentation for students, but it’s also a big step in the direction I see Orientation moving in the future,” said Kevin Perry, the new Jack and Rilla Neafsy director of the Tatkon Center for New Students. “We want these types of presentations to be collaborative and engaging, an opportunity to present information to students, but doing so in a way that helps them feel connected to the Cornell community.”
Numerous Orientation events they are also aimed at families, to help them learn about Cornell and how they can support their students. The schedule includes the Big Red Welcome Fest at Ho Plaza (August 15-17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) and family-oriented welcome receptions at Willard Straight Hall (August 15-17, from 4 to 6 p.m.).
All students can find opportunities, beyond move-in week, to learn about Cornell’s resources and groups and find community in the Welcome Weeks Calendar.
