Reunion FAQs
Monday April 03, 2006 Category: Events/Reunion Permanent Link
How do I sign up?
You may register securely online at http://registration.aad.cornell.edu.
The earlier you register, the easier it is for us to plan. Also, registering online helps our registration chair. We encourage you to use the secure online registration.
We will send you a confirmation approximately two weeks after receiving your registration. If you need to cancel your registration, you must do so before May 26 to receive a full refund.
Child care and athletic programs require separate registration forms and payments. See the brochures enclosed in your registration packet for details.
How much does it cost?
If you register by May 12, the early-bird fee for the entire weekend is $150 per adult. This covers all class-sponsored events and meals but not housing. It also covers refreshments and snacks in our class headquarters, most university events, on-campus shuttle bus service, class souvenirs, the Friday and Saturday night Arts Quad tent parties, and more. You can see highlights of the class and university activities. After May 12, the full-weekend fee is $170, so register early!
If you arrive on campus after 9:00 p.m. on Friday, the early-bird fee is $120 and the regular fee is $140. There are reduced fees for children and for BYOB: “Bring Your Own Baby Sitter.” More information on bringing children to Reunion follows below. We have tried to keep/the Reunion fees affordable without compromising the quality of the weekend. You will not be disappointed!
How does the class wine tour work?
The wine tour is an optional activity on Saturday morning. There is an additional charge of $30 per adult, which includes bus transportation and lunch. The tour includes a selection of Seneca Lake wineries. The bus will leave from Baker flagpole at 10:30 a.m. and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up early!
Where will I stay?
Remember U-Hall Life? Our class headquarters will be in Noyes Community Center lounge. Our housing accommodations will be nearby in Class of ‘18 and Class of ‘26 Halls (U-Halls 5 and 4) with overflow housing in other dorms on West Campus. One of the dorms will be designated for families with small children. Housing fees are $44 per adult per night or $105 per adult for the entire weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights).
For children 12 and younger who occupy a bed, the fee is $24 per night or $48 for the weekend. There is no charge for children in your room who do not use a bed, so you may bring a portable crib or sleeping bag. Rentals in Ithaca are limited; we strongly recommend you bring your own crib if you have a young child.
Rooms come with bed linens, bath towels, washcloths, soap, water glasses, and clothes hangers. A daily towel exchange will be available. However, these are still dorms, and there is no daily housekeeping service. Pets (other than guide dogs) are not permitted. Also, smoking is not permitted anywhere in the dorms. Although we are unable to pre-assign rooms, you may request to room near someone when you check in. Campus Life will do their best to honor your request. Checkout is on Sunday by noon.
For more information about housing accommodations, contact Reunion Co-Chair Lhney Lewis-Steiner at ljl4@cornell.edu.
Internet Access?
Cornell Information Technologies is offering free use of broadband Internet in the dorm rooms. Before you arrive on campus, please make sure your computer has the latest system updates installed and that your anti-virus definitions are up to date. An ethernet cable and further information about connecting to the campus network will be provided when you arrive. In addition, limited wireless Internet access may be available in some areas of campus.
What about the changes to West Campus?
Work has begun on a new concept in residential life at Cornell––the West Campus house system. The Class Halls and Noyes Community Center will be removed to make way for the new houses, a new recreation center, and outdoor recreation facilities.
The first new house, Alice Cook House, opened in fall 2004, Carl Becker House in 2005, and the rest will open over the next five years. To learn more, visit the Residential Initiative website.
Construction is well under way, creating some facility challenges during Reunion. Impact to West Campus may include pedestrian and vehicular traffic changes, increased noise levels, and displaced parking. The university will make every effort to make our stay on West Campus as comfortable as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
What about bringing the family?
Having your children at Reunion can be a great experience, but it requires some advance planning to ensure that the weekend runs smoothly. The university does not allow us to sponsor baby-sitting services at our class headquarters. The university is strict about parental responsibility. Children younger than 16 must be supervised at all times. While children are welcome at class events, no one under the age of 21 is allowed into the Arts Quad tents in the evenings. This also means you cannot enter the tents if you have an infant or child with you.
We have kept the class fees for children as low as possible. If you choose to bring a baby sitter (who must be 16 or older), you can register him or her for the “Bring Your Own Baby Sitter” package. The BYOB fee covers most meals and class activities; it does not include housing.
There are two programs for children arranged by the university. For children 12 weeks to 10 years, there is evening child care available at the Ithaca Community Childcare Center. For children ages 6 to 15, there is a university-sponsored Youth Program from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Both have received wonderful reviews from previous classes. You must pre-register for these programs, and both fill up quickly. Separate brochures with details, cost, and registration forms are included. The registration deadline for both programs is May 26.
If you are bringing a child, you must sign a university release agreement regardless of whether you are using the programs, bringing your own baby sitter, or doing it all on your own. This form is included in this packet and must be returned with your registration materials.
The university and the class are not allowed to make individual baby sitter referrals, but we have learned that the American Red Cross maintains a list of baby sitters in the Ithaca area who have completed their training program. You may contact the Red Cross at 607-273-1900 ext. 14. The Class of 1996 has not investigated this service or the suitability of any sitters. As such, parents are advised to take every precaution for the safety of their children.
The Class has teamed up with the Classes of 1986 and 1991 to sponsor Fun in the Sun. This family friendly event will be held on the Arts Quad on Saturday afternoon, and will include moonbounces, a DJ, ice cream, contests, races, spin-art, face painting, and other fun activities. Classmates and their children are welcome.
For more information about child care services, contact Katrina James, Reunion co-chair at kej2@cornell.edu.
What do I wear?
For all class events, the dress code is casual. We want you to be able to relax and have a great time. But remember that temperatures in June are unpredictable, so come prepared with a jacket, umbrella, and a fan for your room.
Need help getting to Ithaca?
Information regarding travel discounts and options is available on our class website. If you are looking for a ride, or have room in your vehicle for additional passengers, the university has a Reunion Rideshare Board posted on its Reunion 2006 website (accessible through our class website).
Looking to get more involved?
We are looking for volunteers to help us during Reunion weekend and to recruit classmates back for Reunion weekend. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Reunion co-chairs Katrina James or Lhney Lewis-Steiner. You can also support our class by participating in our 10th Reunion Campaign.
Interested in being a class officer?
We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic classmates to volunteer as officers for the next five years. See this post for information on nominations. Please contact our class co-presidents, Stephanie Cockerl at smc5@cornell.edu or Erica Gantner at elg4@cornell.edu, to let us know if you are interested in becoming involved with the class for the next term. The new slate of officers will be presented at Reunion.
Class of ‘96 10th Reunion Campaign Update
More than 35 Campaign Committee members are working toward our goal of raising $130,000 from 625 classmates, including 100 Society members and 12 Tower Club members. We’re on our way with more than 315 donors, 85 Giving Society members, 9 Tower Club members, and $90,000. If you have already supported the campaign, thank you. If you have not had a chance to make a gift yet, please consider supporting our class in this effort. Every gift, in any amount, to any area of the university counts toward our Reunion total. You can make your gift online or call the Cornell Annual Fund at 1-800-279-3099. Don’t forget, you could double or triple the size of your gift if your company has a gift matching program. Check with your employer to learn more.
The No. 1 reason people come back to Reunion is to see old friends… So take a few minutes to contact your friends and remind them to register. You can use the alumni directory, to find classmates and update your own contact information. Also, help us find our missing classmates so they don’t miss out. You’ll find our “nomadic classmates” list on the class website.
If you are interested in helping us contact classmates, email Reunion co-chair Katrina James.
There are many university-sponsored activities and events throughout the weekend, including concerts, lectures, campus walks, Greek receptions, athletic events, and much more. See the Reunion 2006 Highlights page for more details.
