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Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Newsletter and Conversation Series

Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation

Welcome to the Cornell Family! Whether you’re new to Cornell or embarking on another Big Red journey with us, your student’s new college experience will be exciting and challenging as they learn to navigate their new environment. Our Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Newsletter and Conversation series will provide valuable information throughout the summer to assist you in helping your student prepare to attend Cornell. Newsletters will be sent every other week from late May to early August. All newsletters will be linked below after they are distributed. 

Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Newsletter

Are you the parent or family member of a new student, and you are not receiving our emails? You can sign up or update your information to receive our communications to families on our Parent/Guardian Contact form. Also, please ask your student to confirm your information on their New Student To Do List. 

Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Conversations

This summer, we will host our Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Conversation Series to assist you in sending your student to Cornell. This will be an opportunity for families to learn more about key on-campus offices and services to support your student as they prepare to come to Cornell. Conversations will be hosted live, and recordings will be available within 1-2 business days of each session.

All sessions will take place at 12:00 pm ET. Click the link for each session below to register.  Submit questions here

May 30, 2024 ⎸ Welcome! What to Expect this Summer

Recording

Join us for our first Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Conversation of the summer. We're delighted to have Kevin Perry, the Jack and Rilla Neafsey Director of the Tatkon Center for New Students, joining us. Discover what awaits you and your student this summer as they prepare to embark on their Cornell journey. Explore key topics, including important deadlines, orientation details, and more, as we assist families in preparing their students for Cornell.

June 13, 2024 | Living & Dining at Cornell

Recording

Come join our Living & Dining at Cornell Conversation with Housing, Residential Life, and Cornell Dining representatives. Gain insights into on-campus living, get an overview of the move-in process, learn about essential items to bring (and what to leave behind), and discover dining options for your student.

June 20, 2024 | Cornell Family 101

Recording

Come join our Cornell Family 101 Conversation featuring Lindsey Bray, Director of the Office of Parent & Family Programs. Explore all things Cornell, gain insights into the experience of being a parent of a college student at Cornell, and discover ways you can support your student through their transition and beyond.

June 27, 2024 | Cornell Logistics

Recording

Join us for our Cornell Logistics Conversation featuring representatives from the Bursar’s Office, Parking & Transportation, and the Cornell Store. Gain insights into your student’s billing process and payment options, learn about campus transportation, and discover the Cornell Academic Materials Program, which ensures your student has access to their academic materials.

July 10, 2024 | First in the Family: First Generation Faculty, Staff, and Student Panel

Recording

Calling all first-generation students and their families. Join us for our Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Conversation for our First-Generation students and their families. The session will be a panel of faculty, staff, and students who identify as first-generation college students. Learn about their experiences navigating college and their advice for new students and their families.

July 11, 2024 | Health & Wellbeing at Cornell

Recording

Come join our Health & Wellbeing Discussion featuring representatives from Cornell Health, Student Disability Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Skorton Center for Health Initiatives, and Student Health Benefits. Discover the wide array of health services and support available to students and gain insights into student requirements regarding health insurance.

July 18, 2024 | Student Support & Safety

REGISTER

Join us for our Student Support & Safety Conversation featuring staff members from the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and Cornell University Public Safety. Ensuring campus safety and support is a top priority at Cornell, and our panelists will delve into topics such as campus safety measures, student conduct guidelines, and risk education initiatives.

July 25, 2024 | Ask the Experts: Panel of Family Members of Current Students

REGISTER

Join us for our Becoming Big Red Conversation featuring a panel of parents and family members of current students. Gain insights into their experiences as Cornell family members, receive valuable advice for new families, and ask your own questions.

August 8, 2024 | Know Before You Come to Campus: Move-in, Orientation, and Weeks of Welcome

REGISTER

Join us for our final Becoming Big Red Conversation featuring representatives from the Tatkon Center for New Students, Housing, Residential Life, and Campus Activities. Gain insights into what to expect during move-in, Family Orientation, and discover how your student will be engaged during Orientation and their first week of classes.

Becoming Big Red: Cornell Family Orientation Coffee Chats

Join us for a Cornell Family Coffee Chat! This virtual space allows families to chat with a student or our staff to ask questions or connect with others. Please note these sessions will not be recorded. 

July 12, 1:00-2:00 pm ET | Register
August 2, 1:00-2:00 pm ET  | Register

Families of First-Generation Students

At Cornell, we proudly celebrate our first-generation students and their families. We consider students to be first-generation college students if they come from a family in which neither their parents nor guardians have obtained a four-year college degree. We understand that you may have unique questions and needs, and we’ve designed special programming just for you. Join us for our sessions and become part of a supportive and vibrant community.

July 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET | First in the Family: First-Generation Faculty, Staff, and Student Panel | Recording
Calling all first-generation students and their families! This session will feature a panel of faculty, staff, and students who identify as first-generation college students. Come and hear about their experiences navigating college and gain valuable advice for new students and their families. 

July 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET | Coffee Chat for Families of First-Generation Students | Register
Join us for a Cornell Family Coffee Chat! This is a virtual space for families to chat with a student or our staff to ask questions or connect with others.