COVID-19 Information

Please visit the Cornell University COVID-19 and Reactivation Planning web site for current information and university updates.

Due to the abnormally dry state of our region and to raise awareness of the decreased quantity of our campus water supply, Fall Creek, the Cornell University Water System has issued a Level 1: Limited Water Use Advisory to encourage water conservation during this time. Please review the advisory for actions you can take to help conserve water.

Welcome New and Returning Students! (Updated: August 17, 2020)

The Office of Emergency Management welcomes students back for the fall semester.

Cornell University’s plan for the fall semester includes a hybrid approach to a residential semester, robust virus testing, and modifications to the academic calendar that allow students to begin classes on September 2. Everyone has a role to play to ensure the health and safety of Cornellians and the communities we share. It’s up to all of us to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Live Smarter.

Cornell continues to follow guidance from county, state and federal public health officials. University employees can find information on returning to work on campus, as well as continuing in a remote arrangement, in our Human Resources guide. Campus buildings and services are not open to visitors at this time. We hope to resume campus tours and welcome visitors soon.

Please continue to wear a face covering when appropriate and practice social (physical) distancing.

Welcome to Cornell’s Emergency Management web site.

This website provides the Cornell community with important information before, during, and after campus emergencies. We encourage you to bookmark this site and explore it to better prepare before an emergency occurs.

Emergency Messages

CornellALERT is the university’s emergency notification system and is used for situations involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of the community. Active CornellALERT messages appear in the right sidebar of this website (at the top of the page on mobile and small screen devices).

You can receive alerts on your cellular phone if you have provided your contact information or installed the Rave Guardian app and activated it for the Cornell Ithaca Campus. Messages are also sent to the @cornell.edu e-mail addresses of current students, employees, and affiliates.

If you receive a CornellALERT message you should promptly follow the directions given in the message and monitor this emergency web site for additional information.

What to do in an Emergency

CALL 911 for any situation that requires IMMEDIATE police, fire, or medical response to preserve life or property. From cellular phones call Cornell Police at 607-255-1111 or use a Blue Light or indoor emergency phone.

The Emergency Action Guide provides information about what you should do in the case of various emergencies. The Emergency Action Guide appears in the left sidebar of this website and moves to the bottom of the page on mobile and small screen devices. Take a few minutes to read through the guides so you know what actions to take during an emergency.

Preparing for Emergencies

It is everyone’s responsibility to be ready for emergencies before they occur. Use the following pages to help you prepare.

Got 2 minutes? Watch this video to learn how to do Hands Only CPR!