Housing assignment information

New and transfer students should refer to the Admitted Students information to complete your housing preference form. This form is intended to help our staff determine your housing assignment and roommate. You can update your preferences as often as you would like through the end of the day on Sunday, June 27. To update your form, simply log back in and make your desired changes.

Most new student housing assignments (with residence hall room number and roommate contact information) will be sent on the afternoon of Friday, July 16 to students' Cornell College email account. Any student who deposits after the initial round of letters are sent should expect their housing information within a week after depositing.

Returning student housing assignments were determined during the housing selection process last spring.  Reminder emails will be sent by the afternoon of Friday, July 16 to students' Cornell College email account.

Move-in dates and times

For fall athletes and students in specialized orientation programs

Some students arrive on campus early to participate in preseason training for fall sports. Please follow the instructions sent directly to you or refer to the following:

For students in specialized orientation programs

Some new and transfer students arrive on campus early for specialized orientation sessions. Please follow the instructions sent directly to you or refer to the following:

For new students and transfer students with less than 7 credits

The residence halls open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18.  Students will be assigned to one of three arrival sessions, which will be included in your housing assignment email:

  • Session #1: Complete move-in/check-in between 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. with lunch at 11:00 a.m.
  • Session #2: Complete move-in/check-in between 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. with lunch at 12:30 p.m.
  • Session #3: Complete move-in/check-in between 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. with lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Feel free to print a copy of our move-in map (showing parking lots and move-in/check-in locations).  When you arrive in Mount Vernon, you will see signs directing you to either your residence hall move-in location or to park for check-in at the Thomas Commons.

  • Students with last names A–M will go through check-in at the Thomas Commons first and then move into the residence halls.
  • Students with last names N–Z will move into the residence halls first and then go through check-in at the Thomas Commons.

For residence hall move-in you will pick up your keys at your designated residence hall location during your arrival session timeframe. Once you receive your keys you will be directed to an unloading location near your building where volunteers will unload your belongings and help take them to the room.

Please clearly mark your boxes and other items with your name and room number (any unmarked boxes will be marked that morning and so it helps our process run more smoothly if you already have them marked). We encourage you to pack light and use reasonably-sized boxes as carrying really heavy things up the stairs can be difficult.

Students who are running late and not able to arrive by Noon are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for instruction on picking up keys and completing check-in.

For transfer students with 7 or more credits

Transfer students with 7 or more credits should plan to arrive on-campus between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 20. When you arrive in Mount Vernon, you will see signs directing you to check-in at the Thomas Commons.

You will pick up your keys at the Residence Life table in the Thomas Commons. Once you receive your keys you can drive to your residence hall to unload your belongings and take them to your room. Pack light in reasonably-sized boxes, as carrying really heavy things up the stairs can be difficult.

Students who are running late and not able to arrive by 11:00 a.m. are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for instruction on picking up keys and completing check-in.

For returning students

The residence halls open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 21. Check-in for returning students will run from 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on both Saturday, August 21, and Sunday, August 22. Students should report directly to their assigned residence hall to obtain their room key from the Resident Assistant office. Students living in Armstrong House, The Cottage, and Wilch Apartments will pick their keys up from the RA office at Russell Hall.

Move-in Tips

When moving in we ask that you please unload your vehicle entirely before unpacking.  This will help ensure vehicles aren't left unattended in a fire lane and keep the front of the buildings clear for folks to unload close to the building. After you completely unload, please move and park your vehicle before returning to unpack and organize your room. 

Early arrival requests

The Office of Residence Life occasionally gets requests for students wanting to move in earlier than the dates listed above. Students deemed essential for opening the residence halls and/or for hosting New Student Orientation are permitted to check in on a date and time jointly established by the supervising department and Residence Life. Examples include resident assistant staff, peer advocate staff, and Thomas Commons staff (including some individuals who work at the Information Desk). Students in these groups should confirm their arrival dates and times with their supervisors. In addition, fall athletes have a different move-in process; student-athletes should consult with their coach if they have questions. In each of these cases, the supervising department will cover all housing and meal plan expenses for the student(s). All sponsored early arrivals should expect that the confirmed arrival dates and times reflect the earliest that they can check into the residence halls.

Students not with a sponsoring department, including those participating in New Student Orientation, should expect that the above dates reflect the earliest that they can check into the residence halls. With very rare exceptions, staff members from housekeeping, facilities, and residence life are preparing for the official opening days and are unable to accommodate early arrival requests from individuals not with a sponsoring department.

If extenuating circumstances exist that the student believes would warrant an earlier move-in day, then the student should contact their appropriate assistant director. Requests must be made at least three business days prior to the requested arrival date. All requests must be made by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 13. Requests that are not made three business days in advance of the requested arrival date, or by the deadline above, will not be considered for approval. If a request is approved and an exception is made, the student would be charged a daily early arrival fee for housing expenses (all charges would be applied directly to the student's account); the student would not have an active meal plan and so would need to pay out of pocket to eat in the Hilltop Café.

Early Drop-Off

Students who would like to drop off items in their room early may schedule one, 30-minute drop & go session anytime between Friday, August 13th and Tuesday, August 17th.

During your session, you'll be able to bring up to two guests with you to help unload.  Please arrive just prior to your session to check out your room key from the Residence Life Office in Old Sem.  After getting your key you’ll be able to access your room and drop items off without unpacking or moving furniture around. You’ll then be able to return to the room when the residence halls officially open on your move-in date and begin to organize your room at that time. The link to the sign-up form for drop & go sessions will go live starting on Monday, August 2nd.

Meal plan information

All students need to select their meal plan preferences for the fall semester. Please refer to the meal plan selection information for more details.

The first meal served for all new student orientation participants will be lunch on Wednesday, August 18. Transfer student orientation meals begin with lunch on Friday, August 20. Returning student's meal plans will begin with dinner on Saturday, August 21. Returning students who arrive earlier in the day on the 21st may purchase breakfast or lunch with cash or credit card at the door. 

ID card photos (for incoming new and transfer students only)

You will receive a Cornell identification (ID) card when you get to campus and you will be required to carry that at all times. We strongly suggest you submit your ID card photo in advance to save time on your move-in day. Refer to ID Photo Submission information for details.

AlcoholEdu (for incoming new and transfer students only)

In August, all incoming students are required to complete an online program called AlcoholEdu. Learn more about AlcoholEdu.

Living with a roommate

Students new to sharing a living space may find our information on living with a roommate helpful in learning how to navigate that relationship.

Pet Policy Reminder

Pets are not permitted in the residence halls on move-in day.  With the exception of fish, students may not have or maintain pets in campus residence halls, houses or apartments during the academic year.  Please click here to review the full policy.  Note that service and assistance animals are not considered pets, but students must receive approval prior to bringing the animal to campus.  Learn more about having service and assistance animals on campus.  

Mailing your belongings to Cornell

Please refer to the information on mailing your belongings to campus. 

Storage pods

Cornell College occasionally receives requests from students who want to use commercial storage pods as a means of moving their things in or out. The College can permit a limited number of storage pods to be stationed on campus. Requests will be honored in the order in which they are received. Refer to our information on storage pods for complete details.

Suggested packing list

Please refer to our list of what's provided and what to bring. This also includes a list of items that are not permitted in the residence halls.

Residence Hall Linens

Please refer to our information on beds and linens so that you can ensure that you purchase appropriate linens

Student parking on campus

Students interested in bringing a car to campus should refer to Campus Safety's information on student vehicle and parking regulations and then complete Campus Safety's student parking registration form.

Getting to and from the airport

If you will be traveling and don't have a car, you can refer to a list of transportation suggestions compiled by the Thomas Commons Information Desk. There you will find the College's electronic need a ride board as well as information on commercial transportation opportunities.

Getting Involved

There are several things you can do to get more connected to the Cornell community.  The Intramural and Wellness Program offers several activities from one-day tournaments to block-long leagues.  To see the types of events offered throughout the year and to receive notices about upcoming programs, visit cornellcollege.edu/intramurals. 

There are a number of social activities, service opportunities, and organizations that you can explore getting involved with.  Visit cornellcollege.edu/get-involved to learn more.

We also encourage you to visit cornellcollege.edu/social to explore the various Cornell departments and organizations that are connecting with folks via social media.

Future Important Dates

Starting now, please be sure to reach out to your roommate to discuss who's bringing what, and also to have conversations about what you’ll expect of each other.

Halls are closed for the summer, and so access to your new room prior to early drop-off sign-ups will not be possible.

As a reminder, all residence halls will close at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021 for winter break.  Access to rooms will not be possible during winter break.  Halls reopen at 9 a.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2022.  Halls will close for the year at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022 for non-graduating students and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2022 for all graduating students.  Please see cornellcollege.edu/res-hall-dates for all important dates.

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