This page is for residents who have already signed contracts with Eco and are looking for answers about what to bring, what to expect, and more.
New questions will be added and existing questions will be updated as needed (and as more info is available from the University).
Eco beds are adjustable to have 3" to 29" below them. If you are looking at getting 3-tier storage bins, we recommend getting the sets that are actually three separate bins that stack, that way you can be guaranteed they will work with whatever height you want your bed at. You can find lots of additional measurements here.
Is there a microwave in the kitchen? Can I bring my own? (added 7-28-2021)
Eco has always had a microwave in the kitchen, and right now we actually have 8 total microwaves throughout the building that are leftover from our covid school year. You cannot bring a standalone microwave (it will knock out the power to the whole hallway). However, if you feel like you absolutely need to have one in your room, you can rent a microfridge through Cornell and the special circuitry in those appliances are guaranteed to not cause power issues.
How much space is available under the beds? (added 7-28-2021)
Eco beds are adjustable to have 3" to 29" below them. If you are looking at getting 3-tier storage bins, we recommend getting the sets that are actually three separate bins that stack, that way you can be guaranteed they will work with whatever height you want your bed at. You can find lots of additional measurements here.
Where do I find my room number and what does it mean? (added 8-9-2021)
You can find your room number in your housing contract in the housing portal.
If your room number begins with 01xx, that means you are on the 1st floor, which is the ground floor. If your room number begins with 02xx, that means you are on the 2nd floor. And if your room number beings with 0Bxx, that means you are in the basement. Note that there is not an elevator in Eco!
How can I hang stuff on the walls? (added 8-9-2021)
You cannot use anything that makes a hole or leaves a mark! That means no nails, screws, thumbtacks, etc. We recommend stocking up Command Strips, and be sure to pay attention to which kind you are buying so you get the right strip for the weight you want it to hold.
When you hang items on the wall, be sure to have the command strip release tab sticking OUT from behind the item - if you hide it, how are you going to pull it to release the tab when you move out? Be sure to always slowly and carefully remove command strips so you don't rip the paint and incur damage charges.
How does mail/packages work?
All packages/letter mail are delivered to the Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC) Service Center. Once they process your items, they send you an email then you can get your package/mail by showing them your ID card. RPCC is less than a 10 minute walk from Eco, and it's also where the closest dining hall and convenience store are located.
It's important to remember that just because a package tracking service/number says it's been "delivered," that does not mean it is ready to be picked up. Sometimes USPS packages are marked as "delivered" but it just means they've reached the Ithaca post office that delivers all the packages everyday to RPCC; sometimes other packages are marked as "delivered" but it can still take a day before you receive the email from RPCC because the staff working in the service center literally have to process hundreds/thousands of items a day, all by hand. When you go there "just to ask" if your package has arrived but they haven't emailed yet, it takes them away from actually doing the work of processing your package, so please don't be that person!
What is my mailing/shipping address?
It is very important that you use the exact address below to ensure the shipping services process and deliver your mail/packages correctly and that the people working in the RPCC Service Center are not slowed down in processing your mail/packages (and thus delayed in processing others' mail/packages as well):
As an example, below is Eco's RHD's address:
(In case you were wondering, yes, you are welcome to send RHD Sam (and Yoshi!) a postcard!)
Sometimes Eco's address is also listed as "111 Country Club Rd." Technically that is correct also, but it really depends on which shipping company you're using, which GPS you're using, etc. We have no idea why our building has two addresses...
What if I want to bring a bike?
You can bring a bike! If you want indoor storage for them, you'll need to enter into the Bike + Pantry Cabinet Lottery. If you don't get an indoor spot via the lottery, you'll need to store it on the racks outside because fire codes do not allow them to be in any other location in the building. If you don't have your own bike and/or can't bring it, you are also welcome to use Eco's Bike Share Program!
Do I need to bring a shower curtain? What about toilet paper? And handsoap?
The University supplies a shower curtain for you, but you are welcome to bring your own if you want to add some flair to your bathroom. Building Care will replace the University-supplied curtain over Winter Break.
The University also supplies toilet paper, and we keep it in a TP tower in the lobby above the Sustainable Cleaning Station. If the tower ever runs out, just contact an RA and they can get more out of storage for everyone.
Yes, you need to provide your own handsoap, bathmat, etc. for the private in-room bathrooms. You can bring your own cleaning supplies or use the community ones in the Sustainable Cleaning Station in the lobby. You will need to bring your own toilet brush and gloves as those are simply not items that should be shared via the Sustainable Cleaning Station.
Who cleans the bathrooms?
The two residents of each room are responsible for cleaning their private bathroom in the room - it's your home, so it's your responsibility. Eco has a Sustainable Cleaning Station in the lobby with products residents can borrow, and we also have toilet plungers available to borrow. You are welcome to buy your own products and/or split the cost of items with your roommate as well. In your roommate contract you'll fill out with an RA, you and your roommate will agree on how often you want to clean the bathroom and who is in charge of what tasks.
You will need to bring your own toilet brush and gloves as those are simply not items that should be shared via the Sustainable Cleaning Station. Yes, you are required to clean your own toilet and you will be charged if it is uncleaned when you move out.
Building Care does a deep clean of all in-room bathrooms over Winter Break, so you will need to remove all belongings from your bathroom before you depart for break.
The two "public" bathrooms in Eco are cleaned by our Building Care staff (these are toilet-only bathrooms, not community-style bathrooms for residents to use for showering since each room in Eco has its own bathroom).
What if I don't want to live in Eco?
Hey, give us a chance! Eco is a tight-knit community dozens and dozens of people choose to return to year after year, many people becoming EcoLifers by living here their entire time as undergrads. You choose your attitude - if you come in thinking that this will be a stereotype of something negative you've built up in your mind, you're already doing yourself a disservice by discounting the value and impact this community could have for you during your college career. Be open-minded, don't expect anything to be instantaneous, and be willing to see why so many people call Eco House their Eco Home.
If you really and truly do not feel Eco is the community for you, you can submit a Room Change Request in the housing portal after the first day of classes. Keep in mind that room change requests are neither guarantees nor are they immediate. Again, choose your attitude and remember that you can talk to the RAs and RHD if you are struggling to find what you're looking for because they are here to support everyone, whether you applied to live here or not!
What if my question isn't on here?
First, check out the rest of the website because there is a lot of info everywhere!
Email Eco's Residence Hall Director (RHD) Sam Benson at sab459@cornell.edu. She'll answer questions that may be specific to your personal circumstances, or your question may be answered then added to this page to help others!
What if I have more questions about what Cornell is doing for COVID?
We highly recommend bookmarking and frequently checking this official Cornell website for all covid-related info. We take all covid safety extremely seriously in Eco because, not only is that the right thing to do, we have immunocompromised Ecohousers living here and it is critical that one person's poor decisions does not create a life or death situation for another person.
Eco will be following all Cornell policies, and with that comes the expectation and trust that everyone will act with the collective community in mind. Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to follow all the policies applicable to them, and there will be formal and strict consequences for not doing so. We are very proud of how safe we kept this community in the 2020-2021 academic year, and that same level of community respect will always be a core value of our home going forward.
What is this "Sustainable Cleaning Station" in the lobby that you referenced?
Eco provides eco-friendly cleaning products for things like cleaning your mirrors, getting soap scum off shower walls, wiping down your desk after you spilled your kombucha, etc. We also provide reclaimed rags to use with these products, and the rags are bleach washed weekly like the reusable rags we use to dry dishes in the kitchen.
Anyone can use the products here, and we just ask that you always return them as soon as you are done, you respect that they are for the entire community and not just you, and you let Sam/an RA know if we run out and need to restock!
How do I talk to my roommate about covid stuff before we move in together?
(this info is all from the 2020-2021 school year; however, we are keeping it here since our world has not yet fully emerged from this pandemic yet)
Understandably, there is a lot of stress right now about roommates and college life socializing in the era of covid. Not following the rules in Eco will simply not be an option for anyone, and disrespecting the entire community with careless and/or irresponsible behavior outside the building is also not an option. With that in mind, below are some questions you may want to chat about as roommate:
Remember that your RAs and RHD are here to help you navigate any roommate concerns you have. We've been doing this for a few years, and we can guarantee that committing to good communication from the start is key for any roommate relationship!
What's the fridge situation in Eco?
Eco has multiple full-size community fridges. Rules: label all your items with your name with the provided green masking tape and sharpies, don't let your food go bad, don't hog the space, don't mess with others' food, no pet food.
You are also welcome to have your own minifridge in your room (but remember that using the community fridges helps you decrease your personal carbon footprint). If you are supplying your own, it must use less than 7.3 amps of electricity to start and use less than 1.5 amps while running. Why? Because if it's bigger than that then you'll blow a fuse in not just your room, but the whole hallway. That's not a great way to make friends!
You can also rent a microfridge through Cornell here. Renting one has a lot of perks (see below) - be sure to chat with your roommate about if you each need your own (probably not) or if you can share. Perks of renting instead of buying your own, if you really can't use the community fridges:
What's the deal with Wifi in Eco?
As of January 2021, Eco will have wifi in all common areas and in all student rooms! You do NOT need to bring your own routers, cables, etc.
Can I bring curtains for my room?
All the windows in student rooms have blinds already installed, and they make the room pretty dark. Curtains are only allowed IF you have them fireproofed and the certificate of proof is attached at all times. Since that's a big hassle, we recommend just not bringing curtains since you really won't need them!
Where/how can I store my bike?
Residents can enter the bike hook lottery in August/January to see if they can get a bike hook reserved for them in our indoor bike room. If we have more people enter the lottery than we have hooks for, those who are not randomly chosen for a hook must store their bikes on the outdoor racks. Bikes can ONLY be stored in student rooms if they wheels are removed (fire codes), and they cannot be stored anywhere else in the building either. Over Winter Break, all students are allowed to move their bikes into the indoor bike room.
We recommend that all students purchase a u-lock for the bikes to prevent thefts, and remember that front and back lights, as well as helmets, are required by the law! Safety first!
I know about bikes, but what about cars?
You will need a parking pass to use the Eco lot, and you can find more info on the Individual Amenities page. Note that they sell a very small number of on-campus housing parking permits every year, so you don't want to procrastinate.
