In addition to bedrooms, Cornell's 33 housing units also offer such amenities as computer centers, kitchens, TV rooms, and study lounges. The nearby community centers house dining rooms, mail centers, and convenience stores.

Freshmen live on North Campus, while sophomores who live on campus are guaranteed housing on West Campus and in Collegetown. About one-third of the student body goes Greek, living in fraternity and sorority houses their second year at Cornell.

Ten university-run program houses, organized topically, bring together students with common interests such as environmentalism, multiculturalism, and the creative and performing arts. Balch Hall offers single-sex housing for women.

Resident advisers live in each housing unit on campus. The faculty-in-residence and faculty fellows programs give professors a more casual way of interacting with students--minus papers, exams, and grades.