Community at Cornell

Each August, all ~4100 incoming Cornell undergraduates participate in the pre-orientation program Community at Cornell (CAC). Before they arrive on campus, CAC introduces new Cornellians to dispositions and skills for communicating across and about differences, crucial for thriving in Cornell’s diverse community. Consequently, Cornell students are prepared to learn from different backgrounds and viewpoints from the moment they set foot on campus.

The interactive component of CAC is a 2-hour session facilitated by undergraduate and alumni facilitators. Students interact and connect with one another in small groups while reflecting on the beliefs, perspectives, and experiences that they can contribute to Cornell’s vibrant student body. Before this session, students consider how they can teach and learn from other Cornellians through an independent reading and writing assignment.

Community at Cornell (CAC) started in August 2018 as a mandatory program for incoming students. Initially part of New Student Orientation, CAC shifted to a live virtual format, so students could complete the program before orientation. Assessment indicated that offering CAC as a pre-orientation program better supported incoming students, who could apply their learning in CAC to their earliest interactions on campus.

CAC consists of two parts. Part 1 is an independent reading and reflective writing assignment completed before Part 2, the interactive 2-hour online session. Part 2 is facilitated in small groups by current students, alumni, and staff trained by the Center for Dialogue & Pluralism.

Community at Cornell’s main goals are to use intentional communication strategies to:

  • Connect with fellow incoming students
  • Identify opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to Cornell
  • Explore the potential of learning and collaborating across differences in perspectives and experiences

Learn more about the intentional communication strategies introduced in Community at Cornell:

Over 40 facilitators lead Community at Cornell (CAC) sessions each August before classes start. Sessions are led by CDP undergraduate and alumni facilitators. All CAC facilitators are trained extensively by the Center for Dialogue & Pluralism (CDP). CDP staff/faculty provide operational, curricular, and pedagogical support for CAC.

Facilitation opportunities for CAC are by invitation only. Students interested in supporting connection and intentional communication at Cornell should look into taking EDUC/ILRID 2610 Intergroup Dialogue.

Since 2019, CDP has offered a comprehensive post-survey for participants to complete at the end of their Community at Cornell sessions. This commitment to rigorous assessment has enabled year-to-year improvements for the program and also revealed its profound impact both on incoming students and the broader Cornell community.

Some highlights include:

  • Each year, a majority of respondents have reported that their experience in Community at Cornell made them feel more connected to others: “One important thing I learned was how even if, at first glance, it seems like someone cannot relate or empathize with you, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I met many people who related to what I had to say despite seeming like they couldn’t.”
  • Over 83% of post-survey respondents each year indicate that they felt able to share their honest perspective during the session. This suggests that Community at Cornell provides an opportunity for candid conversations about becoming a member of the Cornell community, even among students who don’t yet know each other: “[I] learned about how everyone’s hopes and fears were really similar. This was really validating and made me feel like though we were from such different backgrounds we had a lot in common.”
  • A majority of participants report that the skills they practice in session will help them communicate more effectively with people whose perspectives differ from their own: “I learned how to use LARA, but more importantly why it’s important to practice this kind of conversation. Everyone is quite divided, and using LARA allows for better understanding and connection despite differences in beliefs.”

Here’s what students have said about the program…

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One important thing I learned was the aspect that all incoming freshmen are going to be primed with this information when I am first meeting them. This will make it easier to open up, and listen to new people.

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I plan to use LARA at orientation and all the events to expand my social environment and meet people of all backgrounds. I will welcome discomfort and vulnerability to meet and connect with new people I may not have expected to relate to.

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I've learned that while everyone comes from a different background, you can still connect with others and learn from them despite your differences. You might even learn that you are able to understand each other and are more similar than you originally thought.

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I learned that Cornell gathers students from all sorts of backgrounds and identities so it would be a good place for me to teach and learn with my peers in order to broaden my perspectives.

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I definitely hope to take space for myself and make space for others as I meet new people in classes, clubs, and other places.

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I learned that being uncomfortable in a conversation is not necessarily a bad thing, and you can actually learn from discomfort.

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[I learned to] disagree with the statements, not the person - give recognition to people’s opinions, even if you disagree.

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[I learned] that i'm not alone in my fears for this upcoming year and that there's tons of people who feel the exact same way. it really helped me believe i belong here.

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I realized that we all have similar worries and fears about taking this new step in our lives. I feel like this makes it easier to reach out, knowing that my anxieties aren't so strange, and also being aware that the people around me will be able to listen and talk to me about them in a respectful manner.

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I learned that all of us are in this together. When sharing our hopes and concerns, a common thread was that a lot of us were scared of starting over in a new environment, and just knowing that there are other people who are feeling the way I was was reassuring.

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I learned that Cornell’s diversity is truly its strength. I met so many people from various backgrounds, but also learned that we shared so much - like our shared anxieties about starting college and our passion for learning.

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[I] Learned about how everyone's hopes and fears were really similar. This was really validating and made me feel like though we were from such different backgrounds we had a lot in common

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I plan to intentionally place myself in environments where I differ from others so it is more of a challenge to affirm. Affirming can very quickly default to "I relate" so I think I will make more meaningful, intentional, and interesting connections with those I don't easily just relate to.

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One crucial thing I learned from this session is how much LARA can facilitate student connection and foster friendships easily. Whenever I find myself in a new, unfamiliar environment, I tend to have difficulties with breaking the ice and establishing meaningful discussions. With LARA, I found it significantly easier to talk with the other members of my group as well as feel like I was contributing enough to the conversation. I felt heard, respected and welcomed

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I think that these skills are very valuable. One thing I realized over the course of this session was that it is important to take advantage of diverse settings. My high school was pretty diverse, but I felt that everyone, including myself, stuck to a certain group of people. In college, using LARA, I hope to expand my social skills.

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I learned about LARA and how helpful it can be when talking with someone, especially when the conversation is about something you disagree on. It makes it easier to acknowledge and respect them while also allowing everyone to get their points across and understood.

Contact community@cornell.edu with questions.