Cornell University Division of Student and Academic Services

Residential Initiative

The primary goals of the Residential Initiative are to develop a first-year residential experience, reshape the upper-level student experience, and expand the guarantee of on-campus housing to include transfers and sophomores as well as first-year students.

We envision a program that involves faculty in meaningful ways in the residential experience of students and promotes student engagement in the governance and direction of their living communities, giving them opportunities for leadership, service, and community building.

A Focus on First-Year Students—North Campus

Since 2001, freshmen have lived in the state-of-the-art Mews and Court Halls and in renovated adjacent residence halls on North Campus. Appel Commons anchors the $65 million complex. The North Campus community encourages freshmen to forge a class identity, and special programs ease the transition from high school to college. Informal interaction with faculty gives first-year students opportunities to build relationships with professors. For more information, go to: http://campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/housing/first-year-students.cfm

Living and Learning—West Campus

Cornell’s West Campus house system is an exciting new living option for sophomores, transfers, and upper-class students. Initiated by faculty members, five living and learning communities infuse residential life with opportunities to make meaningful connections to faculty outside of classrooms and deepen their intellectual experience.

West Campus residents:

• maximize educational opportunities
• experience the rewards of community
• engage in casual conversation with senior Cornell faculty
• explore how Cornell can help them set and reach personal goals
• initiate and lead house programs and policies.

By living and learning together with an in-house faculty professor and dean, house fellows, professional staff, and resident graduate students, West Campus students have unprecedented opportunities for mentoring and the exchange of ideas. For more information, go to: http://westcampushousesystem.cornell.edu/

Creating Chapters of Excellence—Greek Life

One of the oldest and most vital Greek systems in the country, Cornell's fraternities and sororities are working to strengthen programming and facilities through a pilot program, Creating Chapters of Excellence. The effort includes initiatives to mentor chapter members, foster cultural and educational programming, and improve chapter operations and facility management. For more information, go to: http://www.dos.cornell.edu/fsa/

It is designed to complement the central purpose of the Residential Initiative: to connect faculty and students in meaningful ways outside of classrooms. Faculty, staff, and alumni serving as chapter mentors will assist Cornell in developing opportunities for fraternities and sororities that include intellectual, cultural, leadership, professional, and civic programming.

The university remains committed to supporting a strong fraternity and sorority system that is based on the founding values of intellectual connection, leadership and philanthropy.