Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation at Cornell University is more than just an event—it's an essential journey that marks the beginning of an exciting adventure for both students and their families. It is designed to immerse you in the Cornell experience, ensuring you feel informed, supported, and connected.

Family Orientation includes on-campus events during move-in and communication during the summer before a student's arrival on campus through our Becoming Big Red Newsletters and Conversations webinar series.

Why Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation Matters | 

• Seamless Transition: Transitioning to university life is a significant milestone. Family Orientation provides families with the knowledge and resources needed to support their student's academic and personal growth, making the transition smoother and more comfortable for everyone involved.
• Building Connections: At Cornell, we believe that a strong support system is vital for student success. Family Orientation offers a unique opportunity to meet other families and university staff. Building these connections early helps create a supportive network that lasts throughout your student's college journey.
• Understanding University Life: Through informative sessions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, families gain insight into the daily life of a Cornell student. Learn about academic programs, campus resources, student organizations, and the various opportunities available to your student.
• Empowerment and Involvement: Family involvement plays a crucial role in a student's success and well-being. By participating in Family Orientation, you become an empowered partner in your student's education, equipped to guide and support them as they navigate their university experience.
• Embracing Traditions: Experience the rich traditions and spirited culture that define Cornell University. From events to campus tours, you'll get a taste of what it means to be a part of the Big Red community, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation begins with our Becoming Big Red Newsletters and Conversations webinar series from late May through early August, providing families with important information and opportunities to connect before arriving on campus.

In-person Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation takes place immediately following First-Year Student Move-In, with move-in on Monday and Family Orientation programming on Tuesday. 

• August 17: First-Year Student Move-In
  • All first-year students will move in on Monday, August 17, unless they are participating in a pre-orientation program or have been approved for early move-in.
• August 18: Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation
  • We encourage families to plan to be in Ithaca for both Monday and Tuesday, if possible—helping their student move in and fully participating in Family Orientation on Tuesday. Family Orientation will conclude with New Student Convocation at 6:00 pm, and families are invited to attend with their student.
• August 18: Transfer Student Move-In
• August 18-23: Becoming Big Red: New Student Orientation

All new students will receive their housing assignments in mid-June. Additional schedule details for Becoming Big Red: New Student and Family Orientation will be shared in late spring.

Families are strongly encouraged to participate in Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation on Tuesday, August 18. These sessions are designed specifically for families and provide helpful information, campus resources, and opportunities to connect with the Cornell community. Family Orientation is separate from Becoming Big Red: New Student Orientation. While students will begin their own orientation experience, Family Orientation offers a dedicated space for families to learn how to support their student’s transition and success at Cornell. While participation is not required, attending Family Orientation will help you make the most of your time on campus and feel more prepared for the year ahead.

A comprehensive schedule of events will be available in mid-June. 

Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation offers families numerous chances to familiarize themselves with Cornell and its student resources. These include college and school programming, our resource fair, the Big Red Welcome Fest, featured sessions covering topics like belonging, involvement, well-being, and academic readiness, along with a welcome reception and greetings from administrators.

A comprehensive schedule of events will be available in mid-June. 

Families should create an itinerary in advance by selecting the events they would like to attend once the schedule is released in late June. Building an itinerary helps you plan your time on campus and identify the sessions most relevant to you. Most events are first-come, first-served and do not require advance registration. Some events may have capacity limits or require a ticket, which will be noted in the schedule.

A comprehensive schedule of events will be available in mid-June. 

Attendees can build, save, email, or print their personalized itinerary with event times and locations. Attendees will be able to create their itinerary beginning in late June. All events are subject to change.

Families are encouraged to select sessions that are most relevant to their interests and questions. Featured sessions, college and school programming, and the resource fair are great starting points for many families. You do not need to attend every event to have a meaningful experience.

Only one itinerary should be created for each family group. This itinerary can include all events your group plans to attend together.

Students must register for Becoming Big Red: New Student Orientation and make their own itinerary. Some programming for families will overlap with student programming.

More details on how to view, confirm, and save your itinerary will be available once the Becoming Big Red: New Student and Family Orientation schedules are released in late June. 

Students will follow their Becoming Big Red: New Student Orientation schedule; however, there is overlap!

Most Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation events are free to attend. Some events may require a ticket purchase, which will be noted in the schedule.

More details will be available once the Becoming Big Red: New Student and Family Orientation schedules are released in late June.

Cornell Housing will be your best resource for information about the move-in process. They provide a wealth of information on the Cornell Housing website and through regular communications with incoming students.

We understand that seeing an activity you would like to attend at maximum capacity can be disappointing. While most activities are open to all families, some need capacity limits for practical reasons. While we cannot add capacity for those activities or accommodate waitlists, some spaces where tours take place are still open to the public and can be visited by families independent of tours or other scheduled activities.

All Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation events are optional, so families should register to attend the most relevant ones. Events may be repeated, but families do not need to attend the same one twice.

Designated parking will be available for families. Parking for move-in and Orientation is the same. Full details are will be in your student's Housing Portal or on the Move-in Transportation and Parking page in late summer.  Transportation will be available for families and guests from the move-in/orientation parking lots to North Campus, West Campus, and Central Campus for Orientation events.

Students and families can attend together those events that are on both the Becoming Big Red New Student and Family Orientation schedules.

No. Families and guests are not permitted to attend new student events. These events provide valuable learning opportunities and offer a space for new students to connect with peers and make new friends.

Your arrival timing should align with your student’s move-in schedule. First-year student move-in takes place on Monday, August 17, and transfer student move-in occurs on the morning of Tuesday, August 18. Family Orientation takes place on Tuesday, August 18 and is not scheduled during student move-in times.

We encourage families to plan to arrive in Ithaca in time for their student’s move-in on August 17 and remain on campus through August 18 to fully participate in Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation.

Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation concludes on the evening of August 18 with New Student Convocation, which families are encouraged to attend alongside their student. All family and guest events conclude that evening. Depending on travel plans, families typically depart later that night or the following morning.

Ithaca and the surrounding area provide a wide array of experiences to enjoy! For more information on events and attractions in the area, visit the official website of Ithaca and Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Finger Lakes. You will find a complete guide to Ithaca hotels, attractions, dining, shopping, and recreation with maps and driving directions.

The show must go on! Most events scheduled in outdoor locations have alternate indoor sites in the event of inclement weather. Since we never know what the weather will bring, we encourage you to come prepared with a jacket, fan, umbrella, and, of course, good walking shoes.

Families can enjoy eating at any on-campus Cornell Dining location during Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation and Move-in. Various locations will be open for your enjoyment. Most locations are cashless and require payment via credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Visit the Guide to Cornell Dining page for more information.

We understand that finding lodging in Ithaca during Becoming Big Red: Family Orientation and Move-in can sometimes be challenging. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist with finding lodging. Visit Ithaca provides a comprehensive list of local lodging. Families struggling to find a place to stay in Ithaca may find more success in nearby communities such as Cortland, New York, or Watkins Glenn, New York.

Cornell University is committed to providing universal access for all our events. Please email families@cornell.edu to request a disability accommodation. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. 

We are unable to provide wheelchairs or scooters for guests. We recommend renting wheelchairs or transport chairs at home to bring to campus. If you rent from companies in Ithaca, be sure to confirm pickup & return dates based on your travel and the location's hours of operation. 

607-273-4727 | Guthrie Med Supply Depot 
607-272-2433 | Finger Lakes Independence Center 
607-257-1425 | UHS Professional Homecare

Family members who require handicap-accessible parking may use their municipally issued accessible permit to park in the accessible spaces located in the parking areas. Please visit the Accessible Transportation Options page for more details. A visitor’s parking permit will not be needed during this time.

If you have additional questions or concerns, you can reach us by email at families@cornell.edu.