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Cornell University

Housing & Residential Life

Move-In Instructions for Risley Residential College

Please read this entire message for detailed move-in instructions, and review everything carefully so you can finalize your travel plans for a successful arrival. You must arrive at the timeslot you selected and follow our move-in instructions below to make the move-in process as efficient and smooth as possible. Note: We advise you to arrive and check-in before the mall check-in center closes at 7 pm on Monday and Tuesday, or the RPCC Service Center closes Wednesday - Friday at 7, and at 4pm on Saturday - Sunday.  If that is not possible, please follow the instructions below.  

For information about what you should do before arriving to campus, please visit the Prior to Your Arrival page.

MOVE-IN INSTRUCTIONS  

Arrival on campus Monday, August 18 – Tuesday, August 19 during Shops at Ithaca Mall Check-in before 7 pm. 

You will start your check-in at the Shops at Ithaca Mall (mall entrance between Cayuga Health and Michaels), where you will check in, pick up your keys, and your student ID (if applicable). You will then proceed to your building, Risley, to unload. You and your guests will be responsible for moving your belongings to your room. Once the vehicle is unloaded you will be directed to long-term parking on central campus. Shuttles will be provided to offer transport back to North Campus. Please have your printed Dash Pass on your dashboard (with a cell phone number).  If you have purchased a parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email.    

Arriving by Uber/Taxi - please plan to arrive at the Shops at Ithaca Mall at the timeslot you selected. We will have a shuttle from the mall to Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC) to take you back to campus after check-in.  

Arriving by Bus – Students arriving by bus directly to North Campus/Robert Purcell Community Center can store luggage temporarily at RPCC. You will then take the shuttle to the Shops at Ithaca Mall for check-in and then return to RPCC to retrieve your luggage and proceed to your assigned hall.  

Arriving from 7:30 – 9:00 PM  

Proceed directly to the Robert Purcell Community Center. Once at Robert Purcell, you will need to go to the Wendy Purcell Lounge located on the second floor, where you will check in and pick up temporary keys and access card (if applicable) for your assignment.

You will then proceed to your residence hall’s designated unloading location. You (and your guests) will be responsible for unloading and moving your belongings to your room. Please have your printed Dash Pass on your vehicle dashboard with at least one cell or mobile phone number written on it.   

Unloading location:  

  • Risley Residential College parking lot

Once unloading is complete, the driver will be asked to move the vehicle to one of our designated parking lots for parking and orientation on central campus. Instructions to parking locations will be provided online in the Housing Portal or distributed at check-in. If you have purchased an academic year parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email.  

To obtain your keys and student ID, you will need to do the following: 

  • If you arrive after 7 PM on Monday, August 18, take the shuttle to go to the Shops at Ithaca Mall on Tuesday to pick up your student ID and permanent keys.
  • If you arrive after 7 PM on Tuesday, August 19, go to North Campus Check-in Desk located in the Wendy Purcell lounge of the Robert Purcell Community Center on Wednesday to pick up your student ID and permanent keys. 

Arrival to campus Monday, August 18 – Tuesday, August 19, after 9 pm 

Note, it is highly advised to arrive and check-in before the Check-in desk closes at 9 pm on Monday, August 18– Tuesday, August 19. 

You will proceed to your residence hall’s designated unloading area and call the number located on the main door of your residence hall for assistance with checking in. The staff member on call will assist you in accessing your room so that you may unload your belongings. You will not receive your keys and/or student ID at this time. Please know that you (and guests) will be responsible for unloading and moving your belongings to your room. Please have your parking permit on your dashboard with at least one cell or mobile phone number written on it.  

Unloading location: 

  • Risley Residential College parking lot  

Once unloading is complete, the driver will be asked to move the vehicle to one of our designated parking lots for parking and orientation on central campus. Instructions to parking locations will be provided online in the Housing Portal or distributed at check-in. If you have purchased an academic year parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email.    

To obtain your keys and student ID, you will need to do the following: 

  • If you arrive after 7 PM on Monday, August 18, take the shuttle to go to the Shops at Ithaca Mall on Tuesday to pick up your student ID and permanent keys.
  • If you arrive after 7 PM on Tuesday, August 19, proceed to the North Campus Check-in Desk located in the Wendy Purcell lounge of the Robert Purcell Community Center on Wednesday to pick up your student ID and permanent keys.. 

Arrival to Campus Wednesday, August 20 – Friday, August 22, 8am – 8 pm   

The North Campus Check-in Desk is located in the Wendy Purcell Lounge of the Robert Purcell Community Center. It is highly advised to arrive and check in during open hours. 

For Arrival to campus when the North Campus Check-in Desk is open:

  • Proceed directly to the A Parking Lot on Pleasant Grove Road where you will queue for access to the Robert Purcell Community Center. Once at Robert Purcell, you will need to go to Wendy Purcell Lounge located on the second floor, where you will check in and pick up your keys and ID (if applicable). You will then proceed to Risley Residential College parking lot for unloading. Please know that you (and your guests) will be responsible for unloading and moving your belongings to your room. Please have your printed Dash Pass on your vehicle dashboard with at least one cell or mobile phone number written on it. Once unloading is complete, the driver will be asked to move the vehicle to the A Parking Lot. If you have purchased an academic year parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email. 

Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, 9 am – 4pm. 

  • Proceed directly to the Robert Purcell Community Center to go to Wendy Purcell Lounge located on the second floor, where you will check in and pick up your keys and ID (if applicable). You will then proceed to Risley Residential College parking lot for unloading. Please know that you (and your guests) will be responsible for unloading and moving your belongings to your room. Please have your printed Dash Pass on your vehicle dashboard with at least one cell or mobile phone number written on it. Once unloading is complete, the driver will be asked to move the vehicle to the A Parking Lot. If you have purchased an academic year parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email. 

For Arrival to campus after the North Campus Check-in Desk is closed:  

You will need proceed to Risley Residential College and call the number located on the main door for assistance with checking in. The staff member on call will assist you in accessing your room so that you may unload your belongings. You will not receive your keys and/or student ID at this time. Please know that you (and your guests) will be responsible for unloading and moving your belongings to your room. Please have your Dash Pass on your dashboard (with a cell phone number). Once unloading is complete, the driver will be asked to move the vehicle to the A Parking Lot. If you have purchased an academic year parking permit, please adhere to the temporary parking areas for move-in week outlined by the transportation email. 

To obtain your keys and student ID, you will need to do the following:

  • Proceed to the North Campus Check-in desk (located in the Wendy Purcell Lounge for the Robert Purcell Community Center) to obtain your keys/ID and officially check-in the following morning.