What to Pack & What Not to Bring
Make sure you have the basics when you arrive on campus! It's a good idea to check with your roommate (if you have one), so you don't duplicate items that could instead be shared. Below is a list of suggested items to consider for the upcoming year and items that are better left at home.
For your room:
- Sheets and Bedding that fit an extra-long twin bed, sized 8" deep by 36" wide by 80" long
- A pillow
- Personal care items
- First-aid kit
- Prescription medications
- Essential documents
- Laundry bag
- Clothing for New York summer and early fall weather
- Floor or bedside lamp (please refer to the Prohibited Items List below under Electronics and Appliances to view lamps that are not permitted)
- Stackable storage crates
- Organizers that fit under a bed
- Clothes hangers
- A mirror (some buildings do not have mirrors provided)
- A UL-approved outlet strip with breaker switch (extension cords and multiplug adaptors are prohibited)
- An alarm clock
- Vacuum (shared community vacuums are available to borrow)
- Cleaning supplies
- A fan (most buildings are not air-conditioned, window/portable air conditioners are prohibited)
- Decorations
- Snacks
- A minifridge that draws no more than 7.3 amps [840 watts] to start and 1.4 amps [160 watts] while running. Students may not bring microfridges (microwave-refrigerator combinations), but microfridges may be rented and placed in your room. Microfridges may be ordered from My MicroFridge. Order early to have the unit placed in your room before you arrive.
Campus, Classes, and Studying:
- Cellphone and charger
- Laptop and charger
- Calculator
- Office supplies
- Umbrella and rain coat
- Winter boots, hats, and gloves
- A bike! Most buildings on campus have designated bicycle racks or storage areas (please keep in mind that some racks are outside, and remember to bring a lock and helmet); you must register your bike with Transportation Services when you get to campus. Learn more about Bike Room Access online.
Bathroom:
- Towels
- Personal care items
- A shower caddy or container to carry toiletries back and forth to the bathroom
- A bathrobe
- Flip-flops to wear in the shower
Kitchen:
- Plates and bowls
- Cups and utensils
- Pots and pans
Extra Items to bring if you’re living in an apartment style unit:
- Hand soap
- Coffee maker
- Tea kettle
- Groceries
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Bath mats
What’s included in your room?
To see more specifics about your residence hall, furniture, and room layout, refer to the Housing and Residential Life Building Directory. Fixtures in each building may vary but all rooms include:
- Twin XL bed frame*
- Twin XL mattress*
- Closet or wardrobe
- High-speed internet
- Desk and chair
- Dresser or drawers
- Cable television service
- Drapes or blinds
- Carpeting or floor tile
Visit Housing Amenities for details about furnishings, laundry facilities, Internet service, phone service, and other important information.
Prohibited Items
In order to ensure safety in our residential spaces, there are several items that are not permitted to have in your room. Please also refer to the Community Living Standards and your Housing License Terms and Conditions for more details and regulations.
Mobility Devices
- Self-balancing scooters, commonly known as hover boards (for fire safety reasons related to the battery).
- E-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards are allowed on campus, but they are not allowed in student rooms or anywhere in the residential buildings other than the bike rooms. They must be stored and charged in the bike rooms. First-year students are provided a bus pass to help them get around on campus and off.
Electronics and Appliances
- Extension cords and multiplug adapters.
- Small kitchen appliances are not allowed — for example, appliances with exposed immersion coils, traditional coffee pots, toasters/toaster ovens, rice cookers, hot pots, slow cookers, air fryers.
- Freestanding microwave ovens (except in the Townhouse apartments, where microwaves are permitted in the apartment kitchen).
- A minifridge that draws more than 7.3 amps (800 watts) to start and 1.4 amps while running.
- A microfridge (microwave-refrigerator combination). See above. They may be rented from My MicroFridge.
- Large appliances — including portable washing machines, dish washers, full-size refrigerators.
- "Spider" lamps, and any lamp (particularly a halogen lamp) that requires a bulb greater than 150 watts. LED lights are permitted.
Certain Decor Items
- Candles, candle/wax warmers, and incense burners
- Headboards with outlets built in
- Curtains, fabric room dividers, sound proofing panels
- Peel and stick wallpaper
- Artificial plants
- Wall tapestries
Air Conditioning
- Air conditioning units of any kind. Instead, you can bring a fan to help .
Animals
- Pets, except for a fish in a 10 gallon or smaller tank.
- Emotional support animals must be approved by Student Disability Services before they are brought to campus.
Weapons
- Weapons and firearms (these must be registered and kept with Cornell University Police).
Duplicative Items
- Cinder blocks, and extra furniture, for space reasons and to avoid duplication with items that will already be provided in your room.
Other Resources You May Need for Move-In
Whether you want to lighten your load by shipping bigger items to campus, find more ways to set your space up in style, or just make sure you have everything you need for an amazing housing experience, we have the resources for you!