What is the purpose of POST?
POST gives you the chance to meet new Cornellians and get a head start
on making friends at Cornell; you perform hands-on community service
projects each day, fulfilling the service tradition that is part of
Cornell’s mission. And, POST provides you with the opportunity to
become familiar with Ithaca, the community of which you will be a part
of during your time here at Cornell.
Who runs POST?
POST is a program of the Cornell Public Service Center. The program is
coordinated by 2 full-time Public Service Center staff members and
supported by 14 upper-class team leaders lead you through the week.
What will we be doing for the week?
From approximately 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday,
each POST team of 8-10 new students and 2 upper class team leaders
participate in community service projects in the local community. Last
year’s projects included painting and light demolition work, trail
maintenance, visiting with local seniors at area nursing homes,
groundswork and other projects. Projects vary from year to year,
depending on the needs of our local community. Large group evening
activities will take place each night, enabling you to get to know
other team members and leaders as well as the greater Ithaca area.
With whom will we be working in the community?
Each year, POST works with approximately 20 different non-profit
organizations as well as the local Ithaca City School District.
What is a typical day?
The following is a schedule for a typical day of POST:
7:45 – 8:15 Breakfast/ shower
9:30 Arrive at designated work sites
9:30–12:30 Community service work
12:30-1:15 Lunch/break
1:15–3:00 Continue community service project
3:00–3:30 Return to housing site and enjoy some free time before
dinner and evening activities
6:00–7:00 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Evening activities (vary; may be a scavenger hunt around
Ithaca, bowling, end-of-POST Bar-B-Q, etc.)
9:45 Return to housing site. Relax and rest up for the
next day.
When will the actual POST program start and end?
POST begins Sunday, August 17th, and students are expected to check in
on North Campus between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. On Friday, August 22nd, you will
be back on Cornell’s campus by 9:00 a.m. for move-in
day.
What more information about POST?
You can fill out a hard copy of the POST Interest Form found in your
Cornell Bound booklet, or the form can be filled out and submitted
online at http://newstudents.cornell.edu
How do I apply?
Complete the POST Registration Form that is available at the POST website
www.psc.cornell.edu, choose POST, Forms and then download and complete.If you can’t access, email
us at post@cornell.edu or call the office at 255-0144.
How many applicants are accepted?
A maximum of 75 applicants will be accepted before we begin a waiting
list. In the event that an accepted applicant drops out, we will offer
a space to someone on the waiting list.
I wasn’t involved in community service in high school. Should I apply?
Yes! Absolutely no experience is required. We encourage everyone interested in
meeting new classmates and participating in community service to apply.
When is the registration form due?
We strongly encourage you to submit your Registration Form as soon as possible
since we have to confirm numbers with caterers, transportation, etc.
Can I mail or fax in my Registration Form instead of submitting it online?
You may mail your registration form directly to: Cornell Public
Service Center; 200 Barnes Hall; Ithaca, NY 14853-1601 or fax it to
(607) 255-9550 attn: POST.
When will I know if I am admitted?
Once we have received your Registration Form, you will receive an
e-mail notification that holds your place with POST as long as you
submit the other completed required documents by their deadlines.
Can I participate in more than one pre-orientation program?
No, it is not possible to participate in more than one program. The
POST schedule is very full (as are those of other programs) and all
participants are expected to take part in the entire program. It is
expected that participants have no other commitments from August 17th
to August 22th.
What does the cost of POST cover?
The cost of participation in POST is $260 per person (includes the
$50 non-refundable deposit fee). This fee covers the costs of all food
for the week, transportation (as required), project and safety
supplies, housing, planned evening activities, and staffing costs.
Is financial assistance available?
We are committed to having a diverse group of entering Cornellians
participate in POST and we hope that the cost of the registration will
not prevent anyone from joining us. For that reason, financial
assistance is available to eligible applicants. For more information on
financial assistance, please check the box indicating this on either
the Interest or Registration Forms. We will be offering full and
partial scholarships. If there are other circumstance you would like
us to consider, you may include them on an additional sheet of paper
and attach it to the Registration Form.
Will there be any additional costs while I am participating in POST?
You will have one free night when teams typically eat out, catch a
movie, etc., for which you may want your own money. So we recommend
that you bring a minimum of $20 for spending money throughout your POST
week.
Do I send the money now?
Do not send us any money. All trip fees, including the nonrefundable
registration fee of $50.00 will be billed to your university bursar
account.
If I am a Cornell Tradition/Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS) student,
how is my trip paid for?
The POST program fee will now come directly out of your student service or leadership
support account (effectively diminishing the amount of money you will have available
for future experiences). This will be an accounting transaction between the 2
offices so you need not send any money.
Do Cornell Tradition/Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS) get their
$50.00 deposit back??
It is included in the trip fee of $260 if you attend. If you don’t attend –
you are billed $50.
When will I receive more information (what to bring, itinerary, when /where to
arrive, move in day information, etc.)?
The POST web site has been developed to successfully prepare you for
your trip. If you have questions that are not answered at the site,
please e-mail them to post@cornell.edu.
Where will I be staying during POST?
POST provides housing for you in the community, but be prepared to
sleep in sleeping bags on the floor and share living quarters with
other POST participants. Teams are housed at a local school where they
sleep on the floor and have access to shower and kitchen facilities.
How do I get to POST?
For directions/maps to Cornell, click here
http://www.cornell.edu/visiting/ithaca/visiting.cfm. Here you will
find directions, airport and shuttle information, maps, local
accommodations, and more.
Where will I store my things while I participate in POST?
There should be a locked storage space on North Campus. Staff are in the process
of confirming this space and will provide additional details before you arrive.
Please also review the Shipping link under logistics for shipping items to Cornell in advance.
Can I arrive early or late?
You must participate in the entire program. The optimal arrival
time is between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17th, please
do not arrive any later than 5:00 p.m. Dinner is the first meal
provided for students. This dinner will provide an opportunity to meet
your leaders, teammates and other POST participants. Some participants
choose to arrive early (due to travel requirements, etc.), but those
individuals must provide their own accommodations and transportation to
campus on Sunday.
What if I have already registered for POST, but I am unable to participate in
POST?
If for some reason you are unable to participate in POST this August, please
call the Public Service Center at (607) 255-1148 as soon as possible. For all
cancellations made by Friday, August 8, participants will only be charged the
$50.00 non-refundable deposit fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations
or no-shows made after Friday, August 8, 2008, and the full trip cost of $260
will be assessed. If you are a Cornell Tradition/Meinig Family Cornell National
Scholars (MFCNS) student, your Bursar account will be charged this fee as the
Cornell Tradition Office will NOT pay for no-shows or late cancellations.
What if my parents need to contact me during the week?
Should an urgent issue or emergency arise during POST, parents
should call the Cornell Public Service Center at 607-255-0144. During
business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. to 5 p.m.), there will
be able to speak directly to a staff member; after hours, audix will
give instructions on how to reach POST staff directly. In addition,
Contact/Emergency Information will be available at the POST web site.
Will there be anyone to help me move into my residence on move-in day (Friday)?
Yes, Cornell Orientation Leaders will be available to help you get your things
out of storage and into your residence hall.
