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 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.

Family Orientation begins with our Becoming Big Red Newsletters and Conversations webinar series from late May to early August.

In-person Family Orientation events will be held during New Student Move-in. The schedule of events will allow families flexibility to build a schedule that accommodates their students' move-in time. Dates will be announced in early February 2025. 

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 late June. 

Attendees can build, save, email, or print their personalized itinerary with event times and locations. All events are first-come, first-served unless they require a ticket purchase. Attendees will be able to create their itinerary beginning in late June. All events are subject to change.

Only one itinerary should be created for each family group.

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

From a laptop or desktop computer:

1. Select “View Itinerary” from the top menu above the daily schedules to view your customized itinerary.
2. Select “Save for Later” from the top of your itinerary.
3. Enter your email address to save your itinerary and receive an email confirmation.

From a mobile device:

1. Select “View Itinerary” from the bottom menu to view your customized itinerary.
2. Select “Manage Itinerary” from the bottom menu, and then “Save for Later.”
3. Enter your email address to save your itinerary and receive an email confirmation.

Students will follow the New Student Orientation schedule; however, there is overlap!

1. Visit the Family Orientation schedule
2. Scroll down to the Get Started box and click “Or, retrieve an existing itinerary”
3. Enter your email to view your itinerary
4. To email your itinerary: Click "Email your Itinerary" and enter your email
5. To add to your itinerary: Click "Choose more programs"
6. To remove programs: Scroll through your itinerary and select "Remove" next to the program

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 Family Orientation events are optional, so families should register to attend the most relevant ones. Event schedules are similar on both days, so families do not need to attend the same one twice.

Designated parking will be available for families before/after move-in and Family Orientation. Parking for move-in and Orientation is the same. Full details are in your student's Housing Portal or on the Move-in Transportation and Parking page.  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 Family Orientation and New Student Orientation schedules.

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

Your arrival time may depend on your student’s move-in schedule. Family Orientation events are scheduled for both move-in days, and you can plan these around your student’s move-in time. Many families choose to be on campus both days, dedicating one day to move-in and the other to Family Orientation. All family and guest events will conclude on the evening of the second day of move-in. Depending on their travel plans and destination, families typically depart by either the evening of the second day or move-in or early the next 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, and umbrella.

Families can enjoy eating at any on-campus Cornell Dining location during 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, Apply Pay, or Google Pay. Visit the Guide to Cornell Dining page for more information.

We understand that finding lodging in Ithaca during 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.