Tatkon Center for New Students
Welcome to Cornell! The Tatkon Center for New Students is your home base
The Tatkon Center in 101 Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC) is a support & resource center uniquely focused on the needs of first-year undergraduate and transfer students. It is staffed by fifteen friendly students ready to help you make a smooth transition to campus life. Collectively the staff represents six of Cornell's colleges and dozens of majors, minors, and student organizations and they eagerly share this enormous amount of knowledge about the university and personal experience with new students.
Tatkon's programs (over 100 each year) focus on academic and career exploration, personal growth, health and well-being, student connectedness and diversity, and interaction with faculty and older student mentors. New students should watch their inbox for the weekly e-newsletter with programming designed for first-years. All new students are automatically signed up.
Visit our Info Desk. From feeling homesick to sorting out the best dining options, ask us anything! We are here to informally advise and share our knowledge to make your first year the best it can be. Come to a Tat Chat. We'll be covering everything you can think of about Cornell and living in Ithaca. Take a break mid-week with our Wellness Wednesday programming, every Wednesday all term from 8-9pm. From a study break with pets to meditation with live music to art programs, we provide a fun, relaxing mid-week breather. Sign up for Tat Buddies for informal 1:1 mentoring and guidance. Take advantage of our free peer tutoring for chemistry, writing, bio, and econ. Watch for our walking tours and student panels soon after your official orientation ends. Tatkon will help you discover essential campus resources and offer tips for study skills, time management, self-care, and more.
Read more about these programs on the Tatkon Center webpage.
Find us in 101 Robert Purcell Community Center on North Campus. Our Info Desk is open six days a week. Let us help you figure out university life. Think of us as your discovery center!