Information for Students | COVID-19 Response

Students should continue to follow current public health guidance. Isolation guidelines for students are found on the Cornell Health website.

Student Resources

Cornell Campus Public Health Support: Call 607-253-7500 or submit a health request via the Daily Check portal
Cornell Health: Call 607-255-5155 or email cornellhealth@cornell.edu
International travel: Contact intlsafety@cornell.edu
Housing: Contact campuslife@cornell.edu
Dining: Contact dining@cornell.edu
Bursar (Billing): Contact bursar@cornell.edu
Financial Aid: Contact finaid@cornell.edu
Academic Support: Contact the academic advising team at your college
Student Organizations/Activities
New Students/Orientation
Fitness Centers/Recreation

Graduate & Professional Student Resources

Isolation

If I am placed in isolation, how can I keep up with my coursework? Will I be able to attend class by Zoom while in isolation?

When students are placed in mandatory isolation, they will receive an email from Student Disability Services that includes a five-day temporary academic accommodation notice. Students are asked to forward the message to their instructors and college student services office (Cornell Law students should forward the message only to the Law School Dean of Students, law.dos@cornell.edu), which serves as the official notification of their five-day accommodation and their inability to participate in in-person learning until their release date. The message also notifies instructors that students may need flexibility in attendance and alternative arrangements for assignments and/or exams.

Students must follow-up directly with their instructors to discuss the accommodations that can be made to support their ability to meet course learning outcomes. In turn, instructors will determine which temporary accommodations are most appropriate for their course. It is important that students communicate with their instructors to finalize arrangements (Cornell Law students should coordinate directly with the Law School Dean of Students and not engage directly with their faculty about accommodations.)

Faculty are not required to provide remote access to students who cannot attend class. In fact, for the majority of our classrooms, remote access is not an option because classrooms are not Zoom-enabled. Instead, faculty may, for example, choose to use lapel mic recorders to capture audio recordings to accompany other course materials. Faculty want you to remain engaged and have access to course materials, and they will determine the most appropriate and feasible way to help you stay on track based on the nature of the course. Also, it’s always beneficial for students to stay in regular contact with their faculty, TAs, and their college student services office during their isolation period so that they can get the support they need.

While most people are in isolation for five full days, students whose symptoms are not improving by the end of the fifth day may need to remain in isolation a few days longer and should contact Cornell Health for consultation: 607-255-5155 (24/7).

What happens if my instructor goes into isolation?

If your instructor becomes sick with COVID-19, the instructor or their department will communicate any alternative arrangements that may be put in place, such as such as substitute instructors or alternative lesson plans.

International Students

The Office of Global Learning has created an FAQ to help address many questions that international students and scholars may have. Advising staff is also available remotely to support Cornell's international community and campus partners.

Email international@cornell.edu for most questions and services, including CPT, OPT, tax questions and extensions, or call 607-255-5243 during regular business hours for urgent advising questions. Cornell Tech students should continue to work with Cornell Tech Student Services during office hours or by email at studentservices@tech.cornell.edu.

COVID-19 Etiquette for Students

If you are ill:

Do not attend class, work, or other social gatherings.
If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, seek and perform an antigen test.
If you are feeling particularly ill, contact Cornell Health at 607-255-5155.

If you test positive:

Report your result through the Daily Check, which helps to understand prevalence on campus and to provide academic support while you recover.
You will be granted a temporary accommodation notice that you may elect to share with your instructors if you anticipate missing class during your isolation period.
Contact your college student services office for additional academic support as needed.
Tell roommates and other close contacts that you have COVID-19. This will allow others to take proactive steps to monitor their health.
Wear a high-quality mask at all times, except when eating, sleeping or using bathroom facilities (e.g., showering, brushing teeth).
Isolate in your residence hall or apartment. Follow Tompkins County Whole Health current isolation guidelines.
Limit time away from your room, except when seeking medical care or picking up food.
Clean shared areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, immediately after use and before the next person enters.

Roommates of COVID-19 positive students should:

Wear a high-quality mask when in residence halls/rooms, except when sleeping.
Get tested. Because the virus can take days to incubate, even if asymptomatic, you should test immediately upon learning your roommate is positive and then several days later.
Test immediately if you become symptomatic.
Take extra precautions, such as cleaning shared, high-touch surfaces.

Some roommates of COVID-19 positive students may feel more comfortable temporarily relocating – students may choose to stay with a friend or go to a hotel at their own expense. Those students who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (as defined by the CDC) who have a COVID-19 positive roommate should contact Student Disability Services to request a temporary housing accommodation.

Cornell Campus Public Health Support

The Cornell Campus Public Health Support offers support to all members of the Cornell community for questions regarding testing, vaccines, travel and more.

Submit a help request Call 607-253-7500

Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.