Skip to main content

Cornell University

Housing & Residential Life

Resident Safety and Security

Resident safety and security are necessary for a successful on-campus living experience, but we want to remind students that safety in our campus housing communities is a shared responsibility. Here are some important fire safety and general security expectations for on-campus residents.

Fire Safety  

Fire Alarm Evacuation: Always exit the building when a fire alarm sounds. Knowing your evacuation route can save your life and help keep your fellow residents safe. 

Fire Inspection Compliance: Review the Community Living Standards to know which items are prohibited due to fire hazards.  

Security

Secure Your Space: Always lock your room or suite door, even if you're just stepping out briefly. It only takes a moment for someone to enter and take something. 

Control Building Access: Don’t hold the door open for strangers. Only residents and their escorted guests are allowed in the buildings. We know this is difficult when we are conditioned to hold doors open for others, but this prevents a person from accessing a community they do not have permission to enter. If you do not know the person, tell them that you cannot allow them to enter behind you, and request they use their Cornell ID or call the resident who they are visiting, so they can let them in.

Renters Insurance

If you or your family have a homeowner’s insurance policy, verify whether the policy covers your belongings while living on campus. If it does not, we highly recommend obtaining a renters’ insurance policy. The University is not liable for personal property loss or damage, even if you did not cause the damage directly. If you are interested in obtaining a renters’ policy, please read the additional information about Renters Insurance.   

Community Safety

We expect every resident to do their part in helping keep our communities safe. Please familiarize yourself with the guidelines and policies outlined in the following resources, so that you may be a responsible community member:  

Respecting these guidelines fosters a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all residents, ensuring that everyone can thrive and succeed during their time here in Housing and Residential Life.   

Overnight Guest Registration Policy  

Residents living in on-campus housing are welcome to have overnight guests, including friends, family, and siblings when they come to visit. While we are excited that you are sharing your on-campus experience with your friends and loved ones, we do want to make sure that it is a positive and support experience for all. 

In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for students, guests, and roommates, the guidelines set forth in the Community Living Standards must be followed, including the online registration of guests. For questions about the overnight guest policy, please contact Housing and Residential Life and review the Community Living Standards, part of the requirement for living in on-campus housing.