Living within the West Campus House System

Alice Cook House, Hans Bethe House, Carl Becker House, William Keeton House, and Flora Rose House are the five houses of the West Campus House System, Cornell's Residential College initiative. Alice Cook House, in addition to the main wing built in 2004, includes Boldt Tower, Boldt Hall, North Baker, Baker Tower, 109 McGraw Place, and 625 University Ave. Hans Bethe House includes McFaddin Hall. Flora Rose House includes South Baker, Lyon, Founders, and Mennen Hall. Carl Becker House and William Keeton House are singular buildings. The west campus houses accommodates from 325 (Keeton House) to 450 (Cook House) upperclass undergraduate students, and each has its own dining room, common areas, library, guest suite, as well as rooms for computing, seminars, academic support, studying, and socializing.

Many students live in suites in the main wings of the houses that have a living room and bathroom. Block booking in the housing lottery allows students who formed friendships as first-year students living in north campus residence halls to reserve adjoining suites within the House System. But the houses expose all residents to new relationships and experiences. The environment is designed to foster meaningful interaction amongst faculty, students, and staff. 

Students, faculty, and staff share house leadership with a distinguished Cornell professor who serves as House Professor-Dean and lives in the house with his or her family members. The House Professor-Dean guides and directs the House's intellectual program, and the Assistant Dean, an experienced student affairs professional, directs the multiple functions of the House and shares responsibility with the House Professor-Dean for the realization of the House's educational mission.  Graduate Resident Fellows support each house and serve as mentors to undergraduate students. House Councils, the student leadership body of each house, develops social, intellectual, athletic, arts, and cultural programs and activities. House Fellows are Cornell faculty and senior administrators who engage with residents through intellectual and social opportunities that enhance student-faculty-staff interaction within the House.

Each West Campus House is named for a legendary member of the university faculty, linking it to Cornell's roots and traditions, yet the philosophy and atmosphere of each house is determined by its current residents. Bringing students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars together to create intimate vibrant communities is at the heart of Cornell's West Campus House System.