Housing & Dining

On June 30, President Pollack announced the university’s decision to have an in-person fall semester with hybrid instruction and opportunities for remote learning for those who cannot return. Many of the details still being worked out, and the university may need to adjust its plans even before the semester starts, depending on the progress of the virus. Additional details and updates will be shared via email communications and on this website as they become available over the coming weeks.

On-campus housing will be limited to singles and double occupancy rooms, and a shared commitment to health and safety behaviors will be added to residential agreements. Bathrooms will be monitored in order to reduce the number of people sharing. While kitchenettes and lounges will remain open, they will have visible, public health-focused signage and physical distancing markings throughout.

Fall residence hall move-in will occur over multiple days beginning August 24. Detailed information will be shared in July, including information on testing prior to and after arrival, options for shipping belongings before your arrival, and your assigned move-in date. Please also note that while parents and families will be able to drop-off students, they will not be permitted to enter the residence halls.

Students who are living off-campus typically arrive gradually over the summer, with most off-campus students arriving in August. If you are not already in Ithaca, we encourage you to plan your arrival carefully and with consideration of pandemic conditions that exist from where you are departing. Please note that the Cornell behavioral compact outlined above must be followed. Additionally, you should be tested and quarantine at home for 14-days prior to departing for Ithaca and be tested again when you arrive. Details about summer testing clinics that will begin in mid-July will be announced soon.

You will hear directly from Cornell Housing by mid-July regarding your housing assignment and contract, which will run from August 24 - November 25. Rates for fall housing will be adjusted according to the revised operational plans.

If you do not plan to return to campus for in-person classes, or have decided to move off-campus, housing contract cancellations are due by August 10 to avoid a cancellation fee. While you have until this deadline to cancel your housing contract, our housing office would appreciate knowing this as soon as possible.

Students living in university or privately-owned fraternity and sorority houses will be permitted to do so provided all rooms are configured as singles and doubles only. All chapters will be expected to comply with New York state guidelines related to physical distancing, the size of social gatherings, and mandatory face coverings. More details will be forthcoming from the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.

Students with extenuating circumstances who currently live in undergraduate on-campus housing have been notified that they may stay in housing for the summer period. For more information, please visit Summer Housing.

Cornell Dining eateries will remain open during summer months for students, faculty and staff, and will offer carry-out service only based on New York state executive orders. Meal plan details are available at Summer Dining. Current eatery hours can be found at Cornell Dining Now.

Consistent with New York state guidelines for dining, and to ensure proper physical distancing, all dining halls will provide to-go service, touchless payment methods will be in place and tables will be properly spaced, with overall sanitation an utmost priority. In-person dining options will be available using a reservation system. Meal Plan rates for fall will be adjusted according to the revised operational plans.

Following an announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlining additional steps that colleges, universities and other businesses should take to maximize social distancing and minimize the spread of COVID-19 across New York state, Cornell has implemented the following measures:

Ithaca campus Cornell Dining eateries are now serving take-out only and seating is not available. While some campus eateries will remain open through the spring and summer to accommodate students, faculty and staff who have approval to be on campus, service hours may change as demand is assessed. The Statler Hotel is closed at this time. The Café and Parliament at Cornell Tech will continue to offer to-go items and the dining area will be closed. The variety of offerings and the hours of operation will remain the same.