Current Students

The petition process permits students to request exceptions to existing regulations. Petitions based on documented extenuating circumstances are considered individually, weighing the unique situation of the petitioning student with the intent of Hotel School and university regulations. Students can avoid the necessity to petition by observing the deadlines and other policies that affect their academic program. To determine whether a petition is appropriate, students should discuss the situation with the Office of Student Services, 180 Statler Hall, or their faculty advisor.

Petitions are available in the Office of Student Services or online . Your advisor’s signature is required. The signature merely endorses the petition, and does not guarantee approval. Petitions will be considered on an as-needed basis. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the process. A copy of the decision will be placed in your mail folder.

Freshmen are required to complete 2 credits of physical education (PE) during their freshman year. Students may not take two PE classes in the same semester for credit; however, the same PE course (with the exception of marching band) may be taken for credit two semesters in a row. It is the student’s responsibility to sign up for PE classes by reporting to Teagle Hall during university registration.

Be sure to check add/drop deadlines for PE classes, which often are different from the normal university course add/drop deadlines. Transfer students who have completed two or more terms of full-time study elsewhere, regardless of whether those terms included PE courses, do not need to take PE or complete the swim test at Cornell. Transfer students who completed only one term elsewhere must take one term of PE, including the swim test, at Cornell.

PE requirements may be modified for the following reasons:

1. Health Reasons: Either a temporary medical postponement or a permanent medical waiver, which must be officially certified by Gannett Health Services.
2. Work: If a student works twenty or more hours per week, he or she may qualify for postponement or a waiver, which must be approved by the athletic director’s office in Teagle Hall.
3. Team Sport: Upon approval of the athletic director’s office, students participating in a team sport will receive credit toward the PE requirement.

In addition to the above requirements, students must pass a basic swim test to graduate. The test, conducted during the first week of classes, consists of a continuous 75-yard swim using front, back, and optional strokes. Any student who cannot pass the test must include swimming as his or her PE before choosing any elective PE class.

A grade of Incomplete will be issued until the swim test has been passed or the requirement has been filled by satisfactory attendance in two terms of beginning swim classes.

All students are encouraged to explore opportunities offered by the Department of Athletics and Physical Education, 255-4286.

Note: The credits of PE are not included in the 120-credit graduation requirement or in the minimum 12-credits-per-semester requirement.

See:  Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship

Official school announcements such as from the Office of Student Services, class information, notices from student organizations, school-sponsored activities, and other business announcements of general interest to Hotel School students may be posted. All notices must identify the group or individuals responsible for the information and the last date when they should remain posted. Notices without dates will be removed at the administration’s discretion. Notices may be posted on bulletin boards or glass cases not reserved for other use (such as Dean’s Office, Student Services, Development, etc.) and any glass surfaces which do not block vision at doorways.

• Do not post notices on painted or wall-papered surfaces such as walls, doors, window frames, and stairwells.
• Do not post notices in stairwells or within ten feet of exits (this is prohibited by fire codes).
• Do not post notices with vulgar or obscene language or images.
• Do not post notices on glass doors, which create hazards by blocking vision.

Notices violating any of the above rules will be removed. Repair of all damages caused by improperly posted notices will be the financial responsibility of the individual(s) sponsoring the notice.

To graduate from the School of Hotel Administration and receive the Bachelor of Science degree, students must fulfill the Practice Credit requirement and submit verification thereof prior to registering for the second to last semester.

To complete this requirement, students must work 800 hours (paid or unpaid) in the hospitality industry during a minimum of two separate employment periods. Typically, this requirement is fulfilled in two summers. However, part-time employment is accepted. Upon completion of this requirement, the designation "H ADM 001 – Practice Credit" will appear on the Cornell transcript with a grade of "S."

Transfer students may receive up to, but not exceeding, one full unit of practice credit in either of the following two sets of circumstances:

1. The student is a transfer student from an accredited HRI (Hotel, Restaurant, Institution) or culinary arts program, and that institution has a required industry practicum that is recorded on the transcript as satisfactorily completed.
2. The student has completed 400 hours of appropriate documented work in the hospitality/service industry since matriculating in any college or university.

In case 1, when the final transcript has been received, pre-matriculation practice credit is automatic and will appear on the transfer credit allowance. In case 2, the student must file a request for Practice Credit in the Office of Student Services, 180 Statler Hall. Forms are also available online.

The Office of Student Services, 180 Statler Hall, maintains your official academic records in the Hotel School, including progress toward your degree. The Office of Student Services also provides a variety of services, including the approval of transfer of credit from other institutions, clarification of school and university policies, etc.

University registration is the official recognition of a student’s relationship with the university and is the basic authorization for a student’s access to services and education. Completion of registration is essential to enable the university to plan for and provide services and education, guided by the highest standards for efficiency and safety. Unauthorized, unregistered persons who use university services and attend classes have the potential to use university resources inappropriately and to displace properly registered students.

In addition, the university assumes certain legal responsibilities for persons who participate as students in the university environment. For example, policy states that New York State health requirements are intended to safeguard the public health of students, and the university has a responsibility to enforce the state regulations through registration procedures.

The policy on university registration is intended to describe clearly the meaning of and the procedures for registration so that students can complete the process efficiently and be assured of official recognition as registered students. With the clear communication of the steps for registration, it is hoped that compliance will occur with a minimum of difficulty.

To become a registered student at Cornell University, a person must:

1. complete course enrollment according to individual college requirements;
2. settle all financial accounts, including current semester tuition;
3. satisfy New York State health requirements;
4. have no holds from the college, the Office of the Judicial Administrator, Gannett Health Services, or the Bursar.

Individuals must become registered students by the end of the third week of the semester. Cornell University does not allow persons who are not registered with the university in a timely manner to attend classes. The university reserves the right to require unauthorized, unregistered persons who attend classes or in other ways seek to exercise student privileges to leave the university premises. The university does not permit retroactive registration and does not record courses or grades for unregistered persons.

The following is quoted from the Cornell University Faculty Handbook (1990), page 62:

"The university schedules some classes, laboratories, and examinations on religious holidays. Adequate opportunity should be provided to each student who is absent from school because of his or her religious obligations and practices to make up any examination, study, or work requirements which may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day or days."

"In effecting the provisions of this section, each college and university administration and faculty agree to exercise the fullest measure of good faith, and agree that no adverse or prejudicial effects should result to any student who avails himself or herself of the institution's guidelines on religious observances."

Students are allowed to register a second time for a course they have already passed with a grade above an "F." For the second registration, however, no credits will count toward graduation requirements, and the grade received will not be averaged into the cumulative average.

Students are allowed to enroll a second time for a course in which they previously received the grade of "F." For the second enrollment, the credits will count toward graduation requirements, and the grade received will be averaged into the cumulative average. The "F" remains on the record and is included in the computation of the grade point average.

Some courses are offered on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. University regulations concerning the S/U system require that a grade of "S" be given for work equivalent to a "C–" or better; for work below that level, a "U" must be given. No grade-point assignment is given to "S," and "S" or "U" grades are not included in the computation of semester or cumulative averages. A course in which a student receives an "S" is, however, counted for credit. No credit is received for a "U." Both the "S" and "U" grades appear on a student's record.

A maximum of 4 credit hours may be taken on an S/U basis each term, provided that the instructor has agreed to offer the S/U option, and a maximum of 6 credits in total in distributive electives may be taken on an S/U basis.

To take a course S/U, a student must check Courses of Study to be sure the course is being offered on that basis and then file a course form in the Office of Student Services, 180 Statler Hall, specifying the S/U grade option for the course.

Note: The deadline for requesting the S/U grading option for a course is the end of the third week of the term (the same as the Add date).

You can view your course schedule at any time by accessing Just the Facts. Schedules generally are available approximately ten days before the first day of classes in a semester. If you want a printed copy of your schedule, you can print it from Just the Facts.

Be sure to check your schedule several times during the semester to verify you are enrolled in the courses you think you are!

The Ambassadors seek to promote a positive image of the Hotel School to all visitors, including industry leaders, incoming students, and alumni. They also act as a support system, in the role of student advisors, for first-year and transfer students. The Ambassadors also serve as hosts for companies holding receptions in the Hotel School.

All facilities at the Statler Hotel are reserved for the use of our paying guests and conference attendees. The Statler Hotel kindly asks that students refrain from using the public areas of the hotel as a place to study, for meetings, or as a gathering place. Please use the appropriate areas of the Beck Center and the Hotel School for these activities.

The SLDP is a partnership among Hotel School faculty, Statler Hotel management, and industry executives who together teach and guide students to become tomorrow's leaders.

SCCI's mission is to utilize the talents of the students, faculty, staff, and administration to create and facilitate positive change. These actions are intended to strengthen the environment of continuous improvement and ensure the Cornell Hotel School’s position as the world’s preeminent hospitality management school.

See any of the following for more information: Club Managers Association of America; Cornell Dinner Club; Cornell Hospitality Consultants; Cornell Hotel Society, Collegiate Chapter; Cornell University Spa Association; Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International; Hospitality Students International; Hotel Ezra Cornell; Hotel School Student Ambassadors; Hotelies Serving Society; National Society of Minorities in Hospitality; Student Committee for Continuous Improvements; Ye Hosts Honorary Society.

Note: Only registered full-time students may participate in student organizations.

Students are encouraged to consider studying abroad in order to gain an international experience and an appreciation of different cultures. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be considered for Study Abroad. For details on how to apply, see the Study Abroad Information Sheet, available in the Office of Student Services, and schedule an appointment with Amber Cohen, the Hotel School’s Cornell Abroad Advisor, in 180 Statler Hall.

Any student planning to take courses for credit on or off campus over the summer session must complete the appropriate form well before summer session begins.

At Cornell, up to 4 credits may be taken in the three-week session, up to 9 in the six-week session, and up to 12 in the eight-week session. The total may not exceed 15 credits.

Note: Credit is given only for courses taken at four-year, accredited institutions, and courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or above.

See also: Winter Session Courses