Fall Opening Information

MOVE IN FOR ATHLETES MOVE IN FOR SPECIAL ORIENTATIONS MOVE IN FOR NEW STUDENTS MOVE IN FOR RETURNING STUDENTS PACKING LIST FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES

Housing assignment information

New and transfer students should complete their Housing Preference form. Log in to update it anytime until the last Sunday in June.

Most new student housing assignments (including room and roommate info) will be emailed to their Cornell College email account the week of July 18. Students who deposit later will receive info within a week of depositing.

Returning students already selected housing last spring. Reminder emails will go out the week of July 18.

Move in dates and times

For fall athletes and students in specialized orientation programs

Some students arrive early for fall sports or special orientation programs. Follow instructions sent to you or check the relevant program pages.

• Fall athlete reporting dates
• Each One Teach One
• International Student Orientation
• NSO+

For all other new students and new transfer students

Opening date for the residence halls and other important dates.

Scheduled residence hall move in is Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Open-move in for any building/floor is 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (noon) . If arriving after 12:00 p.m. (noon), contact the Office of Admissions to complete check-in.

Students are assigned, by building, to one of three arrival sessions to help alleviate congestion. Anyone may move in from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) ignoring their assigned time.

*1oth Avenue Apartment room numbers are made up of the apartment number, floor, then room number. Example: room 221 is apartment 2, floor 2, room 1.

Move in process

When you arrive in Mount Vernon, follow signs directing you to check in at the Thomas Commons.

Pick up your new-student essentials from the comfort of your car at the Thomas Commons during your arrival session time frame. Do not exit your vehicle. A carhop will bring your keys and new student ID to you.

Once you receive your keys, you will be directed to an unloading location near your building where volunteers will unload your belongings and help you take them to the room. Please unload your vehicle entirely. Once completely unloaded, leave one family member with your car to move and park your vehicle in a designated lot before unpacking your room.  

Please clearly mark your boxes and other items with your name and room number. Unmarked boxes may cause confusion. We encourage you to pack light and use reasonably-sized boxes as elevators are not common on campus.

After you move in, return to the Thomas Commons to continue your check-in experience.

For returning students

Opening date for the residence halls and other important dates.

Move-in is 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Go to your assigned hall to get your key from the RA office.
Exceptions: Students in 10th Ave or Wilch Apartments pick up keys at the Russell Hall RA office.

Early arrival requests

Only approved groups (RAs, athletes, orientation leaders, etc.) may arrive early. Confirm your date with your supervisor. These students won’t be charged for early arrival.

Others must request early arrival by Friday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m. Approvals are reserved for extenuating circumstances. Approved requests will be charged a daily housing fee and don’t include meals at the dining hall.

Meal plan information

All students must select a meal plan.

New students: first meal is lunch on move-in day Wednesday.

Returning students: Meal plans begin with dinner on move-in day Saturday. Earlier meals can be purchased at the door.

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

Submit your ID photo early to avoid lines on move-in day. See ID Photo Submission info.

Living with a roommate

Students new to sharing a living space with another person should review our information on living with a roommate. This new and exciting experience is not without its growing moments. These tips, reviewed by students, may help make the most of your new home.

No Pets On Campus

Visiting 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.  Note that service and assistance animals are not considered pets, but students must receive approval prior to bringing the animal to campus and thus living in a communal environment.  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.

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. Avoid bringing too many fridges, televisions,  large furniture, or decorations by sharing your packing lists with each other.

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 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. 

There are a number of social activities, service opportunities, and organizations that you can explore getting involved with. 

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

Please see cornellcollege.edu/res-hall-dates for all important dates.

The residence halls do not close during fall or spring break. Students are welcome to stay in their rooms at no additional cost. Food service at the dining hall will be dependant on several factors including the number of students staying. The status of the dining hall will be announced a few weeks prior to each break. Please consider whether to stay if the dining hall will be closed.

All residence halls will close for Winter Break on Thursday at 11:00 am after Block 4 finals.  Access to rooms will not be possible during winter break.  Halls reopen at 9:00 am on the Sunday before Block 5 classes start in January.  Halls will close for the academic year after finals in May. Non-graduating students must vacate their room by 11:00 am the Thursday after Block 8 finals.  Graduating students will vacate by 5:00 pm on the Sunday of graduation.