Student supervision

One difference between high school and Cornell is that most high schools were designed with the safety of youth in mind, while our campus was built for independent adults.

To help ensure the safety of all Precollege residential students on Cornell’s campus, we provide a 1:10 staff-to-student ratio along with supervised group activities throughout the day and a nightly check-in system (see below).

What does this look like in practice? Whether visiting a Cornell Library, the campus store, the Farmers’ Market in Ithaca, or other locations on or off campus, supportive staff will escort students, maintaining a constant and accessible presence around the clock.

Students will move together as groups, accompanied by a chaperone, between residence halls, dining facilities, classes, and activities. Students may choose from a variety of supervised group activities, including study time, but because our goal is to ensure the safety of all participants, they will not be allowed to move independently on or off campus.

All students, including those participating in chaperoned evening activities, must be in their residence halls by 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Students must remain in their residence hall until their morning group departs for classes or activities.

For more information, view the Precollege Code of Conduct.

Residence halls

Students in the Precollege Summer Residential Program live in residence halls on Cornell’s North Campus. The buildings contain study areas, laundry rooms, and main lounges for studying and large gatherings.

You'll receive your room and roommate assignments when you arrive on campus.

All students are assigned to single, double, or triple rooms.

Residential staff

Residential Counselors (RCs) live in the residence halls with you, providing supervision and guidance.

As university students or university graduates, your RCs may have taken some of the same subjects or classes you’re taking. They'll share their college experiences with you and may have suggestions about choosing a college and major. Most importantly, they’ll work hard to ensure that your experience in the residence hall is a good one.

Residential Administrative Staff also live in the halls and supervise the RCs, oversee community events, provide one-on-one support to students, supervise off-campus activities, and hold judicial meetings with students.

May I choose my roommate?

Because we believe that living in the same room, hall, or residence with someone from a different part of the world or section of the country can be one of the best learning experiences at Cornell, you may not request a roommate.

We work closely with students to assist them in adjusting to different interests and lifestyles.

What's in my dorm room?

Your room comes furnished with

  • A fan
  • A bed for each resident
  • A desk and desk chair for each resident
  • A bureau for each resident
  • A pillow, blankets, and bed linens (sheets and a pillowcase)

Read about what to bring to Cornell this summer

Are the dorms air-conditioned?

Your room does not have air conditioning. Many of the North Campus residence halls are among the earliest buildings on the Cornell campus and were built before central air conditioning was prevalent.

Because we do have a number of very hot days every summer when the dorm rooms can become uncomfortably warm, we suggest you bring an additional desk or window fan.

If you have a documented disability-related medical need for air conditioning, see the note below about accessible housing.

What if I need accessible housing?

If you need accessible housing accommodations (i.e., strobe fire alarms, an air conditioning unit installed) due to a documented disability or chronic health condition, you must register online with Students Disability Services. For instructions, see Students with disabilities.