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: Residents should always exit the building when a fire alarm sounds. Knowing the evacuation route in a community can save lives and help keep all residents safe.

Fire Inspection Compliance Process: Cornell University must comply with the City of Ithaca and the State of New York fire code regulations. To comply with these regulations, the University must complete fire safety inspections of all Cornell buildings, including all residential communities/halls, at specified times of the year as mandated by the City of Ithaca and the State of New York. Student and Campus Life Facilities staff, a Residence Hall Director, and the City or State Fire Inspector will conduct the inspections.  All rooms may be entered as part of this inspection process.

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) conducts inspections for the State of New York. Residential rooms are randomly chosen by the OFPC Inspector. During OFPC inspections, OFPC Inspectors may not examine every room, but could, therefore, when inspections are announced, all residents must be prepared. Once an inspection is scheduled, residents will receive notification of the of the upcoming inspection and how to prepare. All residents need to review the Community Living Standards to identify which items are prohibited in residential spaces due to safety and fire hazards. Specifically, review the fire safety, appliances, and decoration sections. It is not necessary for residents to be present during the inspection.

If a resident has any item that is not permitted under fire code regulations, it will be confiscated and the student could face fines per item for every day that they possess an unauthorized item(s). Additionally, residents with violations will go through the Housing and Residential Life and/or Code of Student Conduct behavior process. These notifications will typically go to residents within 5 business days.   

Security

Secure Your Space: Students should always lock their individual room and suite/exterior doors, if they live in a suite or apartment, even if they’re just stepping out briefly. It only takes a moment for someone to enter an unlocked space and take something.  

Control Building Access: While it may seem impolite, residents should not hold the door open for strangers. Only residents and their escorted guests and visitors are allowed in the buildings. This can be difficult when we are conditioned to hold doors open for others, but this prevents an unauthorized person from accessing a community.  

If a resident does not know the person, they should request that the person use their Cornell ID or call the resident who they are visiting, as all residents are not permitted to allow others in behind them.  

Renters Insurance

If a resident or their family member has a homeowner’s insurance policy, they should verify whether the policy covers their belongings while living on campus. If it does not, HRL highly recommends obtaining a renters’ insurance policy. The University is not liable for personal property loss or damage, even if the resident did not cause the damage directly. If a student is interested in obtaining a renters’ policy, please read the additional information about Renters Insurance.   

Community Safety

Cornell University expects every resident to do their part in helping keep our communities safe. Students should familiarize themselves with the guidelines and policies outlined in the following resources, so that they 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. HRL is excited that residents are sharing their on-campus experience with their friends and loved ones but HRL wants to ensure that it is a positive, supportive, and safe experience for all.  

In order to ensure a secure 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 overnight guests (all guests are required to register, guests under the age of 16 are not permitted to stay overnight in a University residence). Guests who are over the age of 18 are responsible for completing the form and a legal guardian must complete the form for minors under the age of 18. The resident is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate individual completes the form before allowing them to stay overnight in a University residence. For questions about the overnight guest policy, please contact Housing and Residential Life and review the Community Living Standards.