FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We’ve detailed answers to some of the most common questions here and included links with more info. If you have a question that’s not addressed here, please reach out to us at housing@tech.cornell.edu
A: The House at Cornell Tech is a residential building for full-time Cornell Tech graduate students, faculty, academics, and staff. Non-Cornell affiliated family members are allowed to reside in the building under a family license agreement as long as the primary resident on the license is eligible. See the Cornell Tech Policy on Family Housing for more information.
A: No, housing is not guaranteed, and it is recommended that you apply for housing as early as possible.
A: A license agreement is the agreement between Cornell Tech and the individual licensee. Cornell Tech is the leaseholder for the building and licenses space to eligible individuals.
A: See our residences page for license terms and rates. The building requires license holder vacate no later than the date of expiration of your license. There is a small window of time allotted to turn a large volume of units and to allow for deep cleaning of the units and furnishings prior to new occupants’ arrival for the term. License terms cannot be prorated based on late move in or early move out schedules. Short-term, monthly, or single semester licenses are not available.
A: Yes. Gender-inclusive housing is a policy that affords all Cornell students the option to live on campus with whomever (other students) they choose, regardless of biological sex, gender, or gender identity. Students may share an apartment and bathroom with someone of a different biological sex, gender, or gender identity. When you apply for housing, you may opt-in to mixed-gender housing after viewing a video and agreeing to the rules. Note that everyone wishing to share a room or suite with someone of a different gender must opt-in when applying for housing. For additional information see the Cornell University Gender-Inclusive Policy.
A: Yes, families are welcome at The House at Cornell Tech. Please see our Family Housing Policy for information regarding eligibility and documentation requirements.
A: Water, WiFi throughout the building and in your apartment, and broadcast cable are included. Electricity is not included and will be billed by apartment to each occupant and due monthly. All appliances are energy efficient, and apartments are highly energy efficient as well based on the passive house building features.
A: For master’s students, the license fees are bursar billed at the beginning of each semester in July and December and payable before the semester begins. You may want to consider the Bursar’s Office option of a Cornell Installment Plan to pay monthly for paying your bursar-billed expenses. Click link for details.
PhD students and academic employees have the option to pay via automatic monthly ACH check payment or semi-monthly payroll deduction.
A: The semester/bed is displayed for your bursar billing reference (fall semester period is August 1 through December 31 and spring semester period is January 1 through July 15) and is the amount you can expect to be billed each semester. The license term/bed is the total cost of your license for the current term.
A: Yes. Master’s students will be automatically billed through their bursar account in two equal installments prior to the fall and spring semesters.
PhD’s and visiting academics pay the university directly with the payment option of their preference.
A: Once accepted to an academic program, students will be able to apply for housing when the application opens in the spring. It is important to note you will need an active Cornell NetID in order to submit your housing application. After that, applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and inquiries may be directed to housing@tech.cornell.edu.
A: The Housing Deposit is $800 and must be paid to confirm your acceptance of a Housing License Agreement. It is a payment towards your license in advance and will be credited back to you on your bursar account (master’s students) or credited towards your check payment agreement or payroll deduction.
A: No, you do not pay a security deposit. However, unpaid fees, utility bills, and damages to the property will be charged to your bursar account or account on file.
A: Residents are able to select an apartment type and specific zone within the building in which they would prefer to live. We do not assign a unit based on room orientation preference (N, S, E, W). See the residences page for available options.
A: Virtual model apartment tours are available on the Residences page of the website. Students attending the Admitted Student’s Day event, hosted by Admissions in the spring will be able to participate in scheduled guided group tours of select model apartments and amenity spaces.
A: The building operations team is unable to accept mail, deliveries, or moving company items on your behalf prior to your arrival. Except for food deliveries, all packages should not be delivered directly to your apartment door. Instead, they should be delivered to the front desk where they will be logged and tracked for your convenience.
A: The move in process requires that you review your apartment/room with a building team member prior to receiving your key. This can be done by stopping by the front desk at the House during the business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. During major move-in periods, we will extend to weekend hours. If you have questions as you plan your arrival, please connect with housing@tech.cornell.edu.
A: Occupancy for the building will be managed each year based on population size and the needs of potential occupants. If space is available, there may be an option to license a larger unit.
A: Yes, see Amenities – The House at Cornell Tech for details. Use of the bike room, fitness space (residents only), study rooms, and amenity spaces are included. The rooftop amenity spaces are available to rent for private gatherings but is not open to the public. The use of amenity spaces in The House for Cornell Tech or Cornell University sponsored events is strictly prohibited without obtaining prior written consent from university leadership. Outside advertisements/non-resident facing marketing for House events is not permitted.
There is a laundry room in the building and residents pay for their laundry with laundry cards which are available to obtain and reload in the laundry room with a debit or credit card.
A: Yes, if you commit to a second year of housing, there will be no interruption in your license from year one to year two as long as you are eligible for on-campus housing.
A: Yes, you may renew your license agreement and request to change rooms. There is a $350 fee to move, and units are based on availability.
A: If eligible to renew your license, you are automatically eligible to stay in your current unit.
A: All student, postdoc, PhD, and visiting academic apartments (floors 3-23) are fully furnished and to protect the cleanliness and longevity of these furnishings, pets are not allowed in any of these units. Violations of the pet policy can lead to fines and license termination.
A: Yes, bicycle storage is available for residents on the ground level of the building. You will be asked to complete a bicycle registration form and return it to the building concierge desk to have on file.
A: There is no on-site parking available in the building. However, there is a municipal garage, Motorgate parking at the north end of the island where you may park vehicles for a daily or monthly rate. There is also metered street parking around the island and availability is very limited. Click here for additional information.
As an alternative, you can explore a number of public transit options. There’s convenient on-island transport via the Red Bus shuttle (which is a free service and can take you throughout the island). Service to Manhattan, Queens, and beyond is available via the island’s subway station, Roosevelt Island Tram, MTA bus, and ferry service.
A: The apartments are fully furnished, and furniture cannot be added or removed per the license agreement. Specific furniture per apartment size is detailed when you double click on the floor plans on the Residence page. You may, of course, bring small décor items and personal belongings which will fit within the space. It is recommended that you coordinate this with other occupants in shared apartments with space constraints in mind. Storage space for university-owned furniture and/or student’s personal belongings is not available.
A: One-bedroom apartments are furnished with a queen size bed and mattress. All other apartments, including studios, alcove studios, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, are furnished with a full-size bed and mattress.
A: All apartments come furnished. This includes a bed with mattress, dresser, dining table, chairs, and desk. Kitchen appliances included are stand up fridge/freezer combination, electric stove, microwave, and dishwasher.
Each resident will need to supply their own sheets, pillows, comforter/quilt/blanket, shower curtain (specifically size 72″ wide by 78″ long), trash can(s), hangers, and kitchenware such as dishes, utensils, cookware, and glasses. Small area rugs and any additional side lighting may be brought in, if desired.
A: The House at Cornell Tech is a full-service apartment building, not a dorm style residence hall. There are no resident assistants for this building. However, we offer 24/7 Concierge.
A: The House at Cornell Tech is a non-smoking building and Cornell Tech is a non-smoking campus. Cornell Tech prohibits smoking and carrying of lighted cigars, cigarettes, or pipes, and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) in all indoor facilities, the rooftop terraces, and anywhere on the campus grounds.
A: Faculty units are located on the 24th & 25th floors of the building only. Graduate student, PhD, postdoctoral, and academic housing is located on floors 3-23.
A: Visitors are allowed per the security procedures for the building. Overnight guests are allowed for not more than five (5) consecutive nights in a seven (7) day period, if it is not inconvenient for apartment mates. Guests must check in at the front desk, observe all building and University rules and regulations, and you are responsible for their behavior or any damages. Residents may not sublet their apartment to visitors as this is in violation of license agreements and NYC regulations. Violators are subject to fines as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the License Agreement and possible termination of their license agreement.
