Family Orientation at Cornell University isn’t just another event on the calendar; it’s a fundamental introduction designed to integrate both students and their families into the vibrant Cornell community. Think of it as your launchpad into the Cornell experience, meticulously crafted to ensure you feel well-informed, fully supported, and deeply connected from day one.
This comprehensive program encompasses a series of on-campus activities during move-in days, complemented by ongoing communication throughout the summer preceding your student’s arrival. Through our “Becoming Big Red” newsletters and interactive webinar series, Conversations, we aim to make the transition as smooth and enriching as possible. Understanding what we mean when we Define Family Orientation in the context of higher education is crucial, and at Cornell, we’ve tailored it to be an invaluable resource for your family.
The Significance of Family Orientation: Why It Truly Matters
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Facilitating a Seamless Transition: Embarking on university life is a monumental step, filled with excitement and perhaps a touch of apprehension. Family Orientation is specifically designed to equip families with the essential knowledge and resources needed to effectively support their student’s holistic development—academically, personally, and socially. This proactive approach ensures a smoother, more comfortable transition for everyone involved, minimizing stress and maximizing preparedness.
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Building Lasting Connections and Support Networks: At Cornell, we deeply value the power of community. We firmly believe that a robust support system is a cornerstone of student success. Family Orientation serves as a unique and invaluable platform for families to connect with one another and to forge relationships with key university staff and faculty. Establishing these connections early creates a resilient and supportive network that will be instrumental throughout your student’s entire college journey and beyond.
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Gaining a Comprehensive Understanding of University Life: Through a carefully curated blend of informative sessions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, Family Orientation offers families a detailed and insightful glimpse into the everyday life of a Cornell student. You’ll gain valuable knowledge about diverse academic programs, vital campus resources, vibrant student organizations, and the myriad of enriching opportunities available to your student. This understanding empowers you to better support their exploration and engagement.
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Empowering Active Family Involvement: Family engagement is not just welcomed at Cornell; it’s considered a critical component of a student’s overall success and well-being. By actively participating in Family Orientation, you transform into an empowered and informed partner in your student’s educational journey. You’ll be equipped with the tools and insights to effectively guide and support them as they navigate the exciting, and sometimes challenging, landscape of university life.
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Embracing Cornell Traditions and Culture: Immerse yourselves in the distinctive traditions and spirited culture that define Cornell University and make it such a special place. From engaging events to insightful campus tours, Family Orientation provides a genuine taste of what it truly means to be an integral part of the Big Red community. This experience fosters a profound sense of pride, belonging, and connection to Cornell, extending to the whole family.
Family Orientation Timing: When to Join Us
Family Orientation formally commences with our “Becoming Big Red” Newsletters and Conversations webinar series, starting in late May and continuing through early August. These virtual resources are designed to prepare you and answer your initial questions before arriving on campus.
The in-person Family Orientation events are strategically scheduled to coincide with New Student Move-in days, offering maximum convenience and integration. The event schedule is thoughtfully structured to provide families with the flexibility to create a personalized experience that aligns with their student’s specific move-in time and orientation needs. Family Orientation: August 18-19.
Please note the key dates: New Student Move-In: August 18-19 and New Student Orientation: August 18-24. While we encourage you to note these dates, we recommend waiting for further detailed information before making any definitive travel arrangements. Comprehensive scheduling details, including precise move-in days and orientation schedules, will be released in late spring to allow for informed planning.
On-Campus Family Orientation Events: What to Expect
Family Orientation is packed with opportunities for families to deeply familiarize themselves with Cornell and the vast array of student resources available. Expect a diverse range of programming, including specific college and school sessions tailored to your student’s academic focus. Our comprehensive resource fair is a fantastic way to discover and connect with various campus services and departments.
The Big Red Welcome Fest promises to be a highlight, offering a celebratory and engaging introduction to Cornell spirit. Featured sessions will delve into crucial topics such as fostering belonging and inclusion, encouraging student involvement, promoting well-being, and ensuring academic readiness. You’ll also have the chance to attend a welcoming reception and hear greetings from university administrators, providing valuable insights and perspectives.
A detailed schedule of events will be accessible in late June, enabling you to plan your Family Orientation experience effectively.
Registering for Family Orientation Events: Your Personalized Itinerary
Attending Family Orientation is designed to be user-friendly. Once registration opens in late June, you’ll be able to access the event schedule and build a personalized itinerary that suits your family’s interests and needs. The online platform allows you to easily create, save, email, or print your custom schedule, complete with event times and locations for effortless navigation.
Unless specifically indicated as requiring tickets, all Family Orientation events operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This system ensures fair access to the wide range of programs available. Please be aware that all events are subject to change, and we recommend checking the schedule periodically for any updates.
Family Itinerary Management: One Itinerary per Family
To simplify planning and coordination, we recommend creating only one itinerary for your entire family group. This centralized approach helps ensure that everyone in your family is aware of the schedule and can participate together in the events you choose.
Student Registration and Itinerary: Separate but Overlapping
It’s important to note that students must register separately for New Student Orientation and create their own individual itineraries. While Family Orientation and New Student Orientation are distinct programs, there is intentional overlap in some programming. This overlap allows for shared experiences and ensures that families and students are both receiving essential information and engaging with the Cornell community simultaneously.
Saving and Confirming Your Family Orientation Itinerary: Step-by-Step
From a Laptop or Desktop Computer:
- Navigate to the top menu above the daily schedules and select “View Itinerary” to access your customized schedule.
- Click “Save for Later” located at the top of your itinerary.
- Enter your email address in the provided field to securely save your itinerary and receive an immediate email confirmation for your records.
From a Mobile Device:
- Select “View Itinerary” from the bottom menu to view your personalized itinerary on your mobile device.
- Tap “Manage Itinerary” from the bottom menu, and then choose “Save for Later.”
- Input your email address to save your itinerary and promptly receive an email confirmation.
Student Attendance at Family Orientation Events: Overlap and Opportunities
While students will primarily follow the dedicated New Student Orientation schedule designed specifically for them, there are indeed opportunities for overlap! Certain events and activities are structured to accommodate both families and students, fostering shared experiences and allowing families to participate in aspects of the student orientation. Review both schedules when they become available to identify these overlapping sessions.
Retrieving and Updating Your Itinerary: Easy Adjustments
Need to revisit or modify your Family Orientation itinerary? It’s a simple process:
- Visit the Family Orientation schedule webpage.
- Scroll down to the “Get Started” box and click on “Or, retrieve an existing itinerary.”
- Enter your email address to instantly access and view your saved itinerary.
- To email your itinerary for easy sharing or access: Click “Email your Itinerary” and enter your email address.
- To add more programs to your itinerary: Click “Choose more programs” to return to the event schedule and make further selections.
- To remove programs from your itinerary: Simply scroll through your itinerary and select “Remove” next to any program you wish to take out.
Move-In Process and Packing Essentials: Cornell Housing Resources
For detailed information regarding your student’s move-in process and essential items to bring to campus, Cornell Housing is your most reliable resource. Visit the move-in process page for comprehensive guidance. Cornell Housing provides extensive information on their website and through regular communications sent directly to incoming students throughout the summer, ensuring you are well-prepared for move-in day.
Capacity Limits and Waitlists: Understanding Event Availability
We recognize that it can be disappointing to find that an event you wish to attend is at maximum capacity. While the majority of Family Orientation activities are open to all families without restrictions, some events, particularly tours and interactive sessions, have capacity limits for practical reasons such as space constraints or to ensure a quality experience for all participants.
Unfortunately, we are unable to exceed the stated capacity for these events or accommodate waitlists. However, please remember that many areas on campus, including locations featured in tours, are generally open to the public. Families are welcome to explore these spaces independently, outside of scheduled tours or official events, allowing you to still experience the beauty and atmosphere of Cornell at your own pace.
Attendance Flexibility: Choose What Suits Your Family Best
Attending all events on the Family Orientation schedule is absolutely not required. All Family Orientation events are entirely optional, giving families the freedom to choose and register for the sessions that are most relevant and beneficial to their unique needs and interests. The event schedules are structured to be similar on both days of Family Orientation, so there is no need to attend the same type of session twice. Focus on creating an itinerary that maximizes your family’s understanding and enjoyment of this important introduction to Cornell University.
