A New Vision
Innovative living and learning experiences, together with Cornell's continuing commitment to need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid, are helping Cornell realize its aspirations to become the model for undergraduate education at a major research university.
The Residential Initiative developed out of a commitment to create an intellectually based student life—one that melds the living and learning experiences of students and brings a sharper intellectual focus to their lives both inside and outside the classroom. It encompasses three components:
- North Campus, built to forge a sense of class identity and make a big campus more manageable by locating freshmen in a new living and learning environment designed with their specific needs in mind
- The West Campus House System, created as an integrated residential community for upper-level students where faculty and students reside and dine together, engage in impromptu or planned conversations, and simply get to know each other as people
- A voluntary commitment from individual fraternities and sororities to participate in the Residential Initiative’s goals, which is being implemented through the Creating Chapters of Excellence program
The Residential Initiative has spurred a qualitative culture change on campus that makes a difference in how undergraduates feel not only about Cornell, but also about themselves and their lives as students and scholars.
"Students see themselves as owners of these communities," says Isaac Kramnick, the R.J. Schwartz Professor of Government and Becker House fellow on West Campus, "and they are taking leadership roles in creating this new culture."
Students agree.
"There's so much communication between the professors and the students," says Dale Cherney '08. "They're looking for input. So it's not just like programs are made for us, but we get to offer ideas about the programs. We get to have a say. And they want us to have a say." 
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Both North Campus and the West Campus House System offer a distinctive residential experience that encourages student success and opens new doors for them to enjoy the breadth and depth of university life at Cornell. It also contributes to Cornell’s ability to compete for the most qualified students.
For Cornell to complete and sustain the transformation of undergraduate residential life, significant additional funding is needed for key facilities, faculty and student positions, and programming.
Your investment will ensure that current and future generations of students can continue to benefit from a new era in residential life at Cornell.