For new Cornell students, Orientation won’t just be an introduction to life on campus – it might be their first fully in-person school experience in 18 months.

“It’s normal to be nervous coming to campus, but especially given everything everyone around the world has been going through, we’re going to help them get through it and answer every question,” said Jennifer Grell ’22, co-chair of the Orientation Steering Committee. “We want this to be a special experience for them so they can be excited to be Cornellians, and feel like they really belong here.”

Residential Life and Orientation staff across campus are at the ready to welcome new and returning Cornell students to campus when Move In kicks off on Aug 19.

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

“All of our student RAs are settled in and ready to welcome their residents, and we’re looking forward to a terrific semester of engagement with the wonderful faculty and residential staff in our residential communities,” said Tim Blair, executive director of housing and residential life.

Beginning Aug. 21, Orientation will include a range of activities and programs aimed at acquainting new students with the Cornell community and campus resources, from a First-Year Festival with inflatables, carnival games and prizes to workshops on research tips to painting classes and discussion sessions to familiarize students with valuable campus resources.

The five-day program – the first fully in-person Orientation since January 2020 – will culminate in New Student Convocation Aug. 25, 4 p.m. for students at Schoellkopf Field and live-streamed for families, followed by a picnic on Crescent Lot and a concert in Schoellkopf from 7 to 9 p.m.

“I always look forward to the start of the fall semester,” said Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life. “Students bring with them a tremendous energy, and our campus really comes to life. As they return to Ithaca over the next few days, I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting the newest members of our community.”

New and returning students will also be greeted by the highly anticipated opening of two new North Campus buildings: Toni Morrison Hall and Ganędagǫ: Hall.

The new residence halls, with space for 800 students, are the first of five new buildings opening as part of the North Campus Residential Expansion, which will provide a more robust residential experience for undergraduates, accommodate planned growth in student enrollment and ease the real estate strain on surrounding neighborhoods. Toni Morrison Hall includes Crossings Cafe, multipurpose community and study spaces and a fitness center; Morrison Dining will open in January 2022.

“I am excited to see the many ways Cornell students across our campus will find a sense of belonging and build community in these new spaces,” Lombardi said.

Other welcome events include First Night on North, Aug. 20 from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Court-Kay-Bauer Quad; Night at the Johnson for New Transfer Students at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art on Aug. 24 from 9 to 11 p.m.; and Field Day with Touchdown on the Court-Kay-Bauer Quad Aug. 24 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Students can also participate in dozens of First 30 Days events and ReWelcome programming to help build community as they settle into the fall semester.

“Orientation is an excellent opportunity for students – and their families – to transition to college life at Cornell,” said April Overstreet, interim director of New Student Programs. “We are excited to host some new events during Family Orientation to engage with the newest members of our Cornell family. We also look forward to welcoming sophomore and returning transfer students as a part of our ReWelcome to Cornell program.”

Family Orientation, running from Aug. 19-21, offers students and their families other opportunities to learn about Cornell, its traditions and its resources. Events include the Big Red Welcome Fest on Ho Plaza (Aug. 19-21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), tours of Uris and Olin libraries, and college-specific open houses. All visitors and students, as well as faculty and staff, must follow campus COVID safety guidance, including remaining masked when indoors unless in a private, nonshared space or while eating.

This year, for the first time, smaller Orientation groups will mix students from different colleges, helping them connect with peers across the university. The wide variety of offerings, from Spirit Nights to focused, small-group conversations ensure that there’s something for everybody.

 “However you choose to engage in Orientation, the only thing I would hope is that you’re able to get something out of it. Make it a priority to learn something or meet someone,” said La’Treil Allen ’22, steering committee co-chair. “This is the only period when you and all of your peers have no classes and can just focus on getting ready to start. It’s a really important time to invest in yourself and take care of yourself.”