Campus Life Operations Updates

The United Automobile Workers (UAW) represents about 1,300 service and maintenance workers at Cornell. The university and the UAW have been working on a new collective bargaining agreement since April 2024. Cornell and the UAW have made progress during these negotiations and reached tentative agreements over a number of issues already; however, the university and UAW have yet to reach an overall agreement. The university continues to bargain in good faith and is committed to reaching a fair and reasonable contract. For the latest, visit statements.cornell.edu.

Due to a work stoppage on the part of certain service and maintenance staff, which is expected to be temporary in duration, the normal services provided by Student & Campus Life may be impacted necessitating a variety of temporary changes across our division. Our goal throughout this process is to maintain basic services at the fullest possible capacity while prioritizing safety/security, cleanliness, sanitization, and continuation of service.  We are committed fully to accomplishing these important objectives. 

Last updated 8/30/24 at 4:30 PM 

Cornell Dining Operations 

Cornell Dining eateries will have adjusted hours of operation and menus. Check Cornell Dining Now for the latest information on open units and service hours.  

Weekend and Holiday Service  

Residential dining rooms will open over the weekend for students with meal plans, including at Morrison Dining, North Star Dining Room, Jansen's Dining Room at Bethe House, Becker House Dining Room, and Rose House Dining Room.

Monday's Labor Day schedule is similar to a weekend schedule. Visit Cornell Dining Now for updated holiday hours and availability.

 Weekday Service starting Monday, August 26

For Faculty and Staff

• If you typically purchase food and beverages at Cornell Dining eateries, please plan to bring your own meals, snacks, and beverages starting Monday, August 26 or plan to dine off campus. These eateries will not be accessible to those without a meal plan that includes swipes (not MealChoice). Meal plan holders will receive additional information.
• Grab-and-go options will be available at select locations, but we hope to maximize the dining experience for students, so these will not be available to faculty and staff. 

For Students

• Breakfast and dinner service will continue to be provided in our residential dining rooms with hot and cold options available during posted hours on now.dining.cornell.edu. 
• In order to maximize the lunchtime flexibility for our students and meal plan guests, weekday boxed lunches will be available in exchange for a meal swipe at select residential and retail locations during the lunch period of 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM beginning Monday, August 26. 
• These boxed lunches allow us to provide increased flexibility for meal plan participants on the go, and will accommodate dietary restrictions. Grab-and-go options will be available at select café and retail locations as well. Cornell Dining will not be serving hot station meals or customized options at any of our residential dining rooms, cafés, or retail locations during the weekday lunch period. Open locations and operation hours can be found at now.dining.cornell.edu. 
• Students who do not have swipe meal plans may use their BRBs or a credit card to purchase grab-and-go options from one of our available retail locations.

Who can pick up a boxed lunch?

Boxed lunches will only be available to those with a meal plan that includes meal swipes. Any graduate or undergraduate students who do not have meal swipes are encouraged to visit one of our retail locations where grab-and-go options will be available for purchase with BRBs or with credit card.

We are currently unable to serve faculty and staff who do not live on campus, even if they use MealChoice. We look forward to a time when we can once again serve you, but until the work stoppage is resolved we ask that you allow us to focus our efforts on meeting the needs of our students. Please plan accordingly and consider bringing a lunch with you.

Boxed lunch pickup locations include:

Morrison Dining and Cook House Dining Room will serve as pickup locations for boxed lunches during the lunch period: 10:30 AM -2:00 PM. There will be no hot service for lunch at these or any residential dining location.  

Okenshields and Trillium on central campus will also have boxed lunch options available during the lunch period of 10:30 AM -2:00 PM. These locations will not be offering grab-and-go options, only boxed lunches in exchange for a meal swipe.

What comes with a boxed lunch?

Each boxed lunch comes with an entrée, bag of chips, whole fruit, dessert, and a bottle of water. Menus will rotate daily.

How are dietary accommodations being handled during lunch?

• Kosher, halal, and gluten-free boxed lunched will be available by request.  
• Vegan and Vegetarian - There will be at least one vegan boxed lunch option each day.  
• Food Allergens – Allergy friendly meals will be available upon request.  
• If you have any questions or are unable to find an appropriate option for your medically necessary dietary restrictions, please contact diningnutrition@cornell.edu.

What other options are available?
Retail locations and cafés will be serving a limited supply of grab-and-go options, drip coffee, and bottled or canned beverages. These locations include Café Jennie, Atrium Café at Sage Hall, College of Veterinary Medicine Café, Mattin’s Café, and Bear Necessities.  

Can I use my BRBs?
The boxed lunches can only be purchased with a meal swipe. BRBs and credit cards may still be used at any of our retail locations that offer grab-and-go items, snacks, and beverages.

Will this affect breakfast or dinner service?
By shifting the style of lunch service, the Cornell Dining team will be able to maximize the offerings and service for both breakfast and dinner at our dining rooms. We look forward to serving our guests and providing you with the best experience possible. Breakfast and dinner service will still occur in our open residential dining rooms. For hours and locations, please visit now.dining.cornell.edu.  

Ongoing Cornell Dining Operational Impacts

• The style of service and menu items at our dining rooms may also be impacted so please plan accordingly. Cafes and retail locations that are open will only be offering grab-and-go options.
• For the duration of the work stoppage, the Fill it Forward reusable container program will be suspended. Fill it Forward containers will not be available for use and container returns will not be accepted. The program will resume as soon as the work stoppage is resolved.

How to navigate nutrition and dietary accommodations.  

• Food Allergies and Other Medically Diagnosed Dietary Needs: Throughout dining units, all menu items will continue to be labeled for the top allergens including milk, egg, fish, tree nuts (excluding coconut), coconut, peanuts, shellfish, soy, gluten and sesame. If you have trouble finding a meal to meet your medically diagnosed dietary need, please ask the Chef or Manager for assistance in the unit or email diningnutrition@cornell.edu.
• Dietary Preferences including Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher, and Halal Meals: Throughout dining units, all menu items will continue to be labeled as vegan, vegetarian, and containing pork or alcohol. Kosher & halal meals will be available upon request at Morrison Dining and Becker House Dining Room. Frozen Kosher meals will also be available for pickup at 104West!  
• Need More Help? If you are a student with a medically related dietary need and are having difficulty finding an option that meets your needs, please contact diningnutrition@cornell.edu.

Housing and Residential Life Operations

Move-in processes for the day will proceed as planned for each student's move-in timeslot and date. Please be aware of that there may be adjustments to the process and know that you could experience delays as you check in and proceed through the move-in process.

As always, trash should be taken out to the designated areas for your building instead of leaving it in commons areas such as lounges, kitchens, etc. Please be sure to place trash directly into the blue dumpster and for recycling, please place items directly into the green dumpsters near your building. 

Student Centers and Student Service Centers

Student Centers and Student Service Centers are operating under normal hours. 

There are no current service impacts to report.

Pool Operations

All pools are temporarily closed for all activities due to the work stoppage. Know before you go. Check for updated times and schedules on the Campus Life Operations Updates page and @BigRedRec Instagram for the most updated information.

Conference and Event Services

There are no current service impacts to report.

The Cornell Store

Our Cornell Store locations, including our on-campus Store and off-campus Commons storefront are open. Orders received online may be delayed, and we appreciate your patience as we receive and process orders.

At this time, expedited shipping options are temporarily unavailable.

Cornell Print Services

Cornell Print Services is open and continuing to operate through the work stoppage, however, they are temporarily unable to provide delivery services. Please call 607-255-2524 to arrange a pickup. 

Union Activity

Just as Cornell respects the rights of UAW members to strike if they choose to do so, we also respect their right to hold peaceful protests. You may see individuals holding signs and chanting phrases around campus related to the ongoing union negotiations.  Likewise, the university is committed to holding all community members and their visitors accountable for adherence to community standards designed to uphold the civil rights of all to be free from unlawful discrimination or harassment, protect public health and safety for all, and maintain the continuity of core academic operations.

If there is any activity that makes you feel threatened or unsafe, please report the activity at strikeconcerns@cornell.edu or by completing this online form. In the case of an emergency, please contact Cornell University Police by calling (607) 255-1111.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate any temporary service interruptions together. 

Campus Support Resources

Individuals can have a diverse range of feelings, needs, and reactions when facing stress. A wide range of supportive resources is available at mentalhealth@cornell.edu. Students are also encouraged to connect with Student Support and Advocacy Services through the Office of the Dean of Students.