at Summer College

Activities

When we ask Summer College graduates what advice they'd give to incoming students, they invariably say, "Work hard and play hard." We've talked a bit about working hard (in the "Programs" and "Academic Life" pages), but what about the "play hard" part?

Here are some of the activities that Summer College students enjoyed last year:

Intramural soccer, basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, capture the flag, laser tag, rock climbing, Ping-Pong, and more
Trips to incredible regional parks, gorgeous gorges and waterfalls, the quintessential Ithaca Farmer's Market, and nearby shopping destinations
Free movies, an outdoor music series, and student-curated art and architecture shows
Weekend dances, dance classes (including tango), and karaoke
Culture nights, coffeehouses, political debates, a casino party, slam poetry events, and open mics
Producing Summer College's online newspaper, the Summer Times, its literary supplement, or the Summer College “yearbook”
Participating in informal musical and dance groups
The ever-popular Summer College Talent Show
Midnight breakfasts and ice cream socials
Community service projects
Sunset watching and star gazing from Libe Slope or the campus observatory, and lots more!

Although many students say their favorite Summer College memories are of simply hanging out with friends, you're always welcome to plan trips, events, and activities with your resident advisor.

Personal-growth workshops

Do you sometimes feel as if you're being pulled in a million directions? Are you working all the time, with more to do than you think you'll ever be able to finish, and don't think that you can find time to have fun?

If so, you might want to attend one of the special meetings scheduled by residence hall staff members for all Summer College students. Last summer's topics included sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, self-defense, acquaintance rape, racism, homophobia, eating disorders, and other issues vital to your health and to our community's well-being. Watch for announcements of meeting times in your residence hall.

Another resource is "Uncle Ezra," Cornell's online advisor. Uncle Ezra does not respond to letters in the summer, but students can search his archives for answers to any questions ever asked of Unc during his ten-year history, from personal topics like friendships and long-distance relationships to Cornell facts and lore.

Summer yearbook

Want to get involved in chronicling your experiences this summer? If you enjoy photography, page layout, drawing, or graphic design, join other students in putting together the summer yearbook. We'll design a book of photos, illustrations, artwork, and poetry and other writings by students and have a copy in everyone's hands by the end of the six-week program (if you aren't here for six weeks, we'll mail you your copy). All of your home mailing addresses as well as your e-mail addresses will be included. Whether you've had previous experience or not, you're welcome to join this group. Students who do not have a camera will be provided with a disposable one.

Summer Times

Attention, writers, cartoonists, photographers! Do you have poetry, short (very short!) stories, essays, or artwork that you've already published—in your school paper or elsewhere—or longed to see in print? Visit the Summer Times page for more information.

Cornell Fitness Centers

Cornell Fitness Centers strive to offer its members the best fitness equipment and workout options it can. With three summer locations around campus, more than 50 group exercise classes to attend each week, and an extensive variety of cardio and weight equipment, Cornell Fitness Centers provide safe, effective, efficient, and enjoyable exercise programs for its members and guests within the entire Cornell community.

Locations/Amenities: Cornell Fitness Centers (CFC) are located in three different buildings around campus this summer including: Helen Newman Hall, Noyes Community Recreation Center, and Teagle Hall. All centers are staffed by trained student employees and full-time professionals. The CFC features more than 15,000 square feet of equipment including treadmills, steppers, bikes, rowers, elliptical trainers, selectorized weight machines, free weights, barbells, and dumbbells.

Group Exercise: Attending group exercise classes is a great way to stay in shape, reduce your stress and meet new people at Cornell. The CFC is offering over 50 group exercise classes per week including yoga, spinning, kickboxing, step, muscle conditioning, Pilates, tae kwon do, tai chi, water aerobics, BOSU and more.

Membership: To take full advantage of all the CFC offers this summer, you must have a membership.

Membership Options for Students in 2008:

$65 Full CFC Summer membership: includes access to all fitness centers, fitness classes, nutrition counseling, and fitness consultations.
$50 Summer Fitness Classes: fitness classes only, no facility access.

Whatever your goals, Cornell Fitness Centers offer the means to get you there. A wide variety of training options, including free fitness consultations and nutritional counseling, are available so that you can tailor your program to your own specific needs. The staff members are well qualified and ready to provide any service they can.

CFC representatives will be on-site during Summer College registration for sign-ups or you can register at any fitness center. You must show your Cornell ID each time you use the facilities or programs.

For more information, visit the Cornell Fitness Centers website, call 607.254.2824, or stop by the fitness office in 305 Helen Newman Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.