Cornell preparing to welcome new, returning students

The newest crop of Cornellians will arrive on campus on Aug. 19 to kick off a week of welcome events for students and families.

Nearly 8,400 undergraduate and graduate students will move into campus residence halls, program houses and co-op communities Aug. 19-25. New students are slated to move in Aug. 19-20, followed by returning students Aug. 22-25.

All new students and families will receive specific instructions and individualized move-in plans at the Shops at Ithaca Mall before making their way to campus. The Housing and Residence Life protocol and pre-scheduled move-in times will help ensure traffic flows steadily and will allow students and their families to park close to residence halls.

Students arriving on campus will see significant enhancements to one of Cornell's most iconic residence halls. Balch Hall, opened in 1929, has undergone its first full renovation in six decades, with North Balch scheduled to house its new residents this August. Interior work will continue throughout the year in South Balch, which is slated to welcome residents in the spring 2025 semester.

Two years in the making, the project aims to honor the building's past and preserve its historic character, while introducing improvements that provide students with modern safety features and comfort amenities. Students residing in Balch will also notice new installations that nod to some of Balch's notable residents, including Ruth Bader Ginsberg '54.

To assist with their transition to Cornell, new students and families are encouraged to attend New Student Orientationand Family Orientation.

"New Student Orientation is an amazing opportunity for new students to get to know campus and kick off their Cornell journey," said Alyssa Talvi, associate director of the Tatkon Center for New Students. "We've created an engaging and informative week of required and optional programming designed to help students make connections with other new students, learn about resources, and get a feel for campus."

Among the week's highlighted events is the Big Red Welcome Fest, a resource fair held on Ho Plaza Aug. 19-20, where new students can get to know important offices across campus and within the community. Informal social gatherings throughout the week planned by the student-led Tatkon Orientation Team, including the First-Year Festival on Aug. 21 and Touchdown's Guide to Campus on Aug. 24, provide additional opportunities for new students to make connections with other members of the Cornell community.

New Student Convocation, on Aug. 25, caps the week's events, and will feature speeches from Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff, Vice President for Student and Campus Life Ryan Lombardi and Student Assembly President Zora deRham '27. Marla Love, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, will emcee, with performances from the Big Red Marching Band and Cornell Cheer. Following Convocation, new students are invited to a celebration barbecue in the Crescent Lot.

Meanwhile, the Family Orientation programming and Welcome Reception on Aug. 19-20 givefamilies a chance to meet one another - as well as Student and Campus Life leadership. "Building off our 'Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Newsletter and Conversation Series' that began in May, families will have the opportunity to learn more about their student's individual college or school and get to know campus during Family Orientation," said Lindsey Bray, director of parent and family programs. "We will host five sessions for families of new students, each featuring university and Student and Campus Life leadership, and focusing on resources and programming that can assist their student while at Cornell."

Open to all students, Cornell's annual Weeks of Welcomefollows move-in and Orientation and runs from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7. Hosted by Campus Activities in partnership with numerous campus offices, the weekslong celebration brings the Cornell community together for events, workshops and traditions.

For more information, visit scl.cornell.edu.

Ben Badua is Creative Content Manager for Student and Campus Life.

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