Student Orientation, from Freshman Camp to the “Face Book”

In the University’s earliest days, new arrivals had to fend for themselves—but a welcoming system soon took root

By Corey Ryan Earle ’07

August means the arrival of thousands of Cornellians in Ithaca—many for the very first time, beginning their lifelong connection to the Big Red. And there is now an army of volunteers and orientation leaders to greet them, and a slate of activities to help guide their first few days on the Hill.

Students in 1868—Cornell’s opening year—weren’t so fortunate.

Back then, of course, there were no websites or emails with detailed instructions about moving in.

An illustration of Corey Earle with the title Storytime with Corey

But neither were there any welcome events to orient new students—or even any upperclassmen to offer advice.

A published announcement simply declared that Cornell would open with an inauguration on Wednesday, October 7, with classes beginning the following day.

A published announcement simply declared that Cornell would open with an inauguration on Wednesday, October 7, 1868—with classes beginning the following day.

“Though students can be received at a later period,” it said, “it is greatly desired that they appear on Monday and Tuesday.”

That advance arrival wasn’t for orientation; it was for entrance examinations to determine whether applicants were prepared for a college education.

But over the decades, the ways Cornell welcomes new students have evolved substantially.

First-year guides

In 1885, the Cornell University Christian Association (CUCA)—one of the largest student organizations in the University’s early years—published the first Students’ Hand-book.

Five vintage editions of the Cornell new student handbook on a red backgroundRare and Manuscript Collections
Vintage editions of freshman guides.

“As you enter upon your life as university students we cordially welcome you among us, and freely offer our assistance in whatever way we can aid you in establishing yourselves in your new home and new relations,” said the foreword.

“We present this Guide as containing in a condensed and available form a large amount of that special information which has been found by experience to be of value to those who come here for the first time.”

As you enter upon your life as university students we cordially welcome you among us.

Students’ Hand-book, 1885

Its 32 pages included instructions on taking entrance exams and finding housing, as well as descriptions of campus buildings, work opportunities, student clubs (only seven!), and local churches—with a dose of sage advice.

“College life is a transition period for all those who enter it,” observed the 1910 edition.

cover of Cornell University's Orientation guide in 2007
Cornell University
In 2007, Orientation was music-themed—down to the Rolling Stone-style activity guide.

“For this reason he who contemplates entering should establish for himself a purpose, an aim, a set of ideals worthy of attainment, and then resolve to bend every opportunity the life offers to the accomplishment of this purpose.”

The handbook became an essential reference, growing beyond pocket size and evolving into a “desk book” in 1933, still under the aegis of what had become known as Cornell United Religious Work.

In 1946, the Student Council and Women’s Self-Government Association took it over, publishing a 152-page guide. Responsibility shifted to the Daily Sun for a period, then to the New Student Orientation Committee.

The guide eventually became a fully University-produced publication titled the New Student Handbook. Its final print edition—published in 2013—was replaced by online resources.

Freshman Advisory Committee

The committee was formed in 1912, chaired by President Jacob Gould Schurman himself. Its work initially consisted of coordinating one-on-one meetings for every new student with a junior or senior, a practice that continued through the 1930s.

While part of the goal was to share advice and knowledge, upperclass advisors also collected data on new students—for example, noting past athletic experience to help recruit for varsity teams, or keeping the University apprised about the suitability of off-campus rooming houses.

Freshman Camp

In 1926, CUCA hosted Cornell’s first significant orientation program held in advance of classes: a three-day Freshman Camp, held at an inn in nearby Lisle.

The camp featured conversations—led by recent alumni, upperclassmen, and staff—about classes, career prep, and social life.

Although only 23 freshmen (all male) participated in the inaugural one, it grew to 80 the following year, plus input from deans, administrators, and student leaders.

A group of dozens of men in white shirts sitting on benches during Cornell's 1933 Freshman CampCornellian
A group shot of camp participants in the 1933 yearbook.

In 1932, the event moved to a YMCA camp on Keuka Lake. A women’s version was added in 1941, and camp eventually became coed.

By its final year in 1957, it had expanded to around 750 students (one third of first-years) at four locations. Due to limited capacity, though, most students never had the opportunity to attend, creating tension from the start.

A 1928 Daily Sun editorial suggested that its goals could be better served with a comprehensive freshman week, noting that 61 American universities had begun the practice. Cornell implemented a full Orientation Week in fall 1941.

Freshman Register

As Freshman Camp disappeared, a new tradition emerged: the infamous Freshman Register. First published by the Sophomore Class Council in fall 1953, it was the original “face book,” with photos of new students.

The register long bore an offensive nickname as the “Pig Book,” due (depending on whom you ask) either to the poor quality of the images or to the relative attractiveness of the first-years. It also drew criticism for being a tool for Greek houses to recruit members—and for single students to seek dates.

The register drew criticism for being a tool for Greek houses to recruit new members and for single students to seek dates.

Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity took over publication in the 1960s, and the book was eventually renamed the New Student Record.

In another case of web replacing print, the social media site facebook.com launched in spring 2004—and Cornell’s printed version ceased less than two years later.

Words to Live By

A sampling of tips and observations from the various incarnations of the handbook for first-years, 1885–1980

“To work one’s way through college demands great energy, perseverance, and self-sacrifice, and above all a good physical constitution. No person should undertake this, unless obliged to do so.”

“Cornell has ideals. They are noble, inspiring. Democracy, efficiency and a pure motive are her watchwords. She, our Alma Mater, aims to send forth every year a class of broad-minded, social, thoroughly trained gentlemen.”

“No Freshman shall smoke at all on the campus, nor shall he smoke a pipe on the streets of Ithaca.”

“You will be a better Cornellian if you know a lot of other Cornellians.”

“Don’t be a grind.”

“Don’t be a loafer.”

a portrait of student Orientation counselors on campus, 1982
Cornell University
Orientation volunteers in 1982.

“Make a written contract with your landlady. Live up to it.”

“You may bluff your professors, but you cannot bluff your fellow students.”

“Absence from classes, termed ‘cuts,’ are not permitted at Cornell. Students are expected to be present throughout each term at all meetings of classes for which they registered.”

“The man who can balance his University work and his student activities in the right proportion gets the most out of Cornell.”

A page from the 1954 Cornellian yearbook with the headline "New Students Get Help," with photos of freshman orientation activitiesCornellian
Icebreaker activities, chronicled in the 1954 yearbook.

“Don’t be expecting to be told what to do. In loco parentis died a few years back.”

“Although the University is still relatively young, many of its former traditions have been dropped or put away in an old trunk somewhere.”

Published August 15, 2024

What do you remember about your introduction to Cornell?

Comments

  1. Marsha Beirach Eisen, Class of 1967
    22 Aug, 2024

    On Saturday of the weekend I arrived on campus, the College of Home Economics had a “tea” for students and parents in MVR. My dad had some medical issues so my parents had left to go home and I attended alone. I met another student who was also alone. She told me her parents had to go home to milk the cows. I knew then, that i was going to meet lots of people of different backgrounds and so my four years at Cornell started.

    Reply
    • stefan g. belman
      22 Aug, 2024

      Moving into dorm 4 in Sept. ’54 and walking on 12 inch wide planks over heavy gumbo mud. Paved walkways were accomplished a few weeks later. My room was well appointed and all the facilities worked smoothly. Six new university halls for the incoming freshmen

      Reply
  2. MICHAEL MARC FALK, Class of 1961
    27 Aug, 2024

    The 1957 session at one of the sites ended ingloriously when the floor of the men’s bathroom collapsed. Wasn’t a pretty sight.
    The required Freshmen beanies were unforgettable.
    Also I still cringe at hearing Kumbaya.

    Reply
  3. Shelley Earle Sturges, Class of 1979
    27 Aug, 2024

    My most indelible memory is freshman orientation in Bailey Hall. They said “you all graduated in the top half of you class, look to the right and look to the left only half of you will now be in the top half of the class!” Brutal!

    Reply
  4. David Marsh, Class of 1965
    27 Aug, 2024

    As a freshman in 1961, the freshmen were taken to
    Schoellkopf field to watch the world’s first soccer-style kicker, Pete Gogolak, show his long and accurate kicks. He changed the course of
    the “kicking game” forever in college and professional football!

    Reply
    • Jim Brandt, Class of 1950
      27 Aug, 2024

      In the fall of 1946, the dorm had burned down and I was assigned to room with someone down in Ithaca whom I didn’t know. I joined a coop and signed up for rushing. I pledged a fraternity that had room, so I moved in and lived there all four years. The next three years I was on the staff of Freshmen Camp – it didn’t serve everyone, but those who did attend got a good inauguration.

      Reply
  5. Scott McKee, Class of 1971
    27 Aug, 2024

    A few decades later it occurred to me that “Pig Book” arose from a mishearing of “Pic Book.” I will admit to being startled by the name. I didn’t buy one, and now wish that I had.

    Reply
  6. Dolores Gebhardt, Class of 1981
    27 Aug, 2024

    I am from Massapequa, Long Island and lived in Donlon freshman year. Shortly after we arrived on campus, the RAs held an orientation floor meeting. We went around the room introducing ourselves. I can’t remember why now, but for some reason I mentioned “the city.” The woman next to me turned and said, “I am from Rochester and there are other cities besides New York!” Turns out we were both in ILR and became good friends despite this inauspicious beginning. I also learned at this meeting that I had a Long Island accent… imagine!! First lesson learned at Cornell: your world is about to expand…embrace it!

    Reply
  7. Sharon Loeb Cooper, Class of 1976
    27 Aug, 2024

    I was very excited to live in what I thought was the quintessential gothic style dorm – Lyon Hall (part of the Baker Complex on West Campus). My enthusiasm waned when I realized it was one of the few, non co-ed dorms left on campus. A few nights after arriving, the Lyon women were treated to a “panty-raid”by the men of West Campus. That bonded the dorm together, and we became a close-knit group, grateful to live in female only Lyon Hall!

    Reply
  8. Faith Jackson, Class of 1960
    28 Aug, 2024

    I still have that 1960 Cap hanging on the wall in my studio! I was assigned to Dickson 5 and we still had “gracious living”. Resident counselors, two, per corridor held meetings weekly with us all to be sure we were working our way into a Cornell life.

    Gracious Living: women only dorm. Night curfew: sign in and out. No slacks or pants at evening meals except finals week. Saturdays and Sundays we sang Evening Song and Alma Mater before everyone left the dining room.

    Reply
  9. Cynthia Kubas, Class of 1978
    3 Sep, 2024

    I attended Wilderness Reflections in 1974, hiking in the Adirondack mountains for 10 days with fellow freshmen and upper class guides. Upon my return, I immediately went to NC 6 to move into my dorm room. I remember my suite mate’s Mom (Mrs. “P”) being aghast at my appearance (muddy boots, limited bathing opportunities). Her response: “I thought this was an Ivy League college!” I have been friends with that wonderful family for 50 years, and we still laugh about this inauspicious start.

    Reply

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