Welcome to Ithaca, New York and Fairview Manor Apartments!
Below are a few tips to help you settle in to your visit to the Institute for
Genomic Diversity at Cornell University.
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Main apartment office: This building is part of Fairview apartments, which include the tall buildings down the street (to your left as you leave this building, past the signal light). The main office is on the ground floor of those tall buildings. This is where to go with problems such as apartment maintenance and repair issues or other questions. Also in this building is the fitness center. You have a key to this building if you wish to use the fitness center after hours. In good weather, there are also seating areas (with a very good view of Ithaca) on the roof that you may use.
Fitness Center: You have free access to the fitness center for Fairview apartments, which is located in the main building down the road. You have a key to the main door in case you wish to use the center after hours.
Laundry: Across the courtyard and downstairs is the laundry room where there are washing machines and dryers for your clothes. The machines use a VendaCard, a card that you need to put money on using the machine in the laundry room. First put the card in the VendaCard machine and insert some money ($5-10 minimum). Then insert the card in a washing machine to use the machine. You are responsible for washing the linens that are in the apartment as well as your personal items.
Telephone: The telephone here in the apartment is not connected. While you are on campus, local calls are free from any campus phone. For long-distance or international phone calls, we recommend you purchase a calling card (available at the Cornell campus store) that you can use at any phone.
Food and other supplies: Your apartment is near several shopping options. Turning to the right after exiting the front of the apartment building, a walk of just a few blocks leads to an area called Collegetown where there is a small grocery store and a large number of restaurants. P&C grocery store is also nearby, in the other direction (Go left from the building, straight thru the signal light, turn right after the cemetery, it is on the left soon after). Bus schedules are available from Transportation Services, across the street from Fairview Heights main building.
Mail: There is a mailbox downstairs near the front door for this apartment. A key for the mailbox is with your apartment key. Please check the mailbox occasionally. If you want to receive mail, your address here is:
(your name)
c/o The Institute for Genomic
Diversity
Fairview Manor, Apt A2A
518 Dryden Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
Registering at Cornell: When you arrive at Cornell, you will need to register at the International Scholars and Students Office (ISSO). They will give you paperwork that you need to give to Dianna Smith at the Biotechnology Office so that you can be registered to receive Cornell Identification (see below) and any stipends or reimbursements that may be due to you. Theresa or a member of IGD will help with this process.
Cornell net ID: A Cornell network identification number is needed for many things, including access to buildings, library privileges, etc. Once you have arrived and registered, a net ID will be assigned to you within a few days. This also gives you access to a Cornell email address, if you wish.
Health insurance: Depending on the length of your stay, Cornell may require you to sign up for health insurance. Information about the choices will be given to you, and you may be billed or the amount may be deducted from your stipend. If you have proof of health insurance from your home institute, this might be waived. The cost is generally around $50 per month.
After hours access to the Biotech building and IGD labs: If you need to work before 8:00am, after 5:00pm, or on weekends, you will need a key to the main building, which has been provided for you along with your apartment keys. Your Cornell ID is also used to gain access to the interior hallways and IGD labs. Sharon will help you get set up for after hours building access.
American culture: One noticeable difference between Americans and some other cultures is that we like our “personal space”. Do not stand very close to a person when carrying on a conversation. In general Americans shake hands rather than kissing and hugging, unless you are a relative or a close friend. To shake hands, extend your right hand and grasp the right hand of the person you are meeting firmly (but not firm enough to cause discomfort). Hand shakes between males and females are completely acceptable. It does not matter who extends their hand first. Americans generally run by a strict time schedule, so while more and more people are arriving late to scheduled events these days, it is still a good idea to arrive precisely on time, particularly to formal or work-related events. Personal cleanliness is very important here. People generally shower every day (sometimes more), wear deodorant, and may be easily offended by body odor. Clothes are also laundered regularly. In this country it is appropriate (and expected) to ask questions if you do not understand something, even if the person with whom you are talking is a “superior”.
Walking directions to Biotech: Upon leaving the front door of your
building, turn left. At the corner, turn left again (do not cross the street at
the light). At the next corner, by the bridge, cross the street going straight
ahead. In front of you are wooden stairs, go up these and you will come out
into a parking lot, with a sports stadium on your left. Walk straight ahead
past the stadium. You will see the Biotechnology Building straight ahead, it is
beige with green windows. Walk around to the left of the Biotech building and
enter through the rear glass doors. Go up the stairs and the main office is to
your right, room 130.