Are we still starting on May 11, 2020?

Yes. Orientation and the start of all summer courses will be delivered virtually.

Is International Student Orientation still happening?

Yes. All international students should attend International Student Orientation May 6 – 8, unless you qualify for a waiver.

Will the summer core curriculum be virtual or in Ithaca?

We expect it will be a mix of both. We know we will begin in a virtual environment, but we plan to move to in-person instruction as soon as possible. That said, we will offer the entire summer virtually so that any students whose arrivals are delayed for COVID-19 related reasons (travel restrictions, visa appointment delays, etc.), will not miss any instruction.

What times will classes be held? How will we account for time zone differences?

In recognition of the fact that incoming One-year MBA students in the Johnson Cornell Tech and Ithaca programs will be physically located around the world this summer while taking classes together virtually, we have re-engineered the summer class schedule as described below. You will be assigned to two time blocks per module throughout the summer, one from Class A, and one from Class B. You should have received your assignments from the Johnson Registrar. If you have questions, please respond to that email.

How will we forge connections in a virtual environment?

Johnson is well-known for its strong community. We are fully committed to ensuring we foster close ties among you and your classmates, even in a virtual environment. One way we’ll do this is through a robust, interactive virtual orientation. We will also assign all students to a core team, with whom you’ll work closely throughout the summer. The team will be comprised of both Johnson Cornell Tech students and your One-Year Ithaca MBA counterparts. Each team will receive coaching and instruction from our Leadership Programs faculty on how to build high-performing virtual teams. We will also organize regular virtual social events and networking activities. Our faculty and staff will hold frequent online office hours, and will also be available for virtual video meetings and appointments. We’re confident that these mechanisms will get the program off to a great start.

What are Cornell’s plans for the fall semester?

Earlier this year, Cornell President Martha Pollack convened an advisory committee to study options for fall instruction in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee will be presenting their report and recommendations to President Pollack in mid-June, and we have been told to expect a decision on fall instruction by the end of June. The committee is weighing a number of scenarios (for example, one might be a blended model, with some courses delivered online and some in person; another might be that we initially start in a fully virtual environment). The committee is also working closely with New York State officials and public health experts as they consider their options. Additionally, Cornell Tech’s location means that decisions made for the Cornell Tech campus might differ from decisions made for the Ithaca campus. To stay abreast of Cornell-Tech specific COVID-19 developments, please visit https://tech.cornell.edu/coronavirus/.

I have other questions. How do I get in touch?

Please review these resources and feel free to contact us at newstudents@johnson.cornell.edu and admissions@tech.cornell.edu.

Cornell Tech MBA COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we strongly encourage you to relocate to Ithaca for the summer core. All classes will be held on an Eastern time zone schedule. Additionally, the accelerated nature of the coursework, a heavy emphasis on group work, and the opportunity to get to know your classmates in informal, socially-distanced, safe ways will make it extremely beneficial for you to be here.

Ithaca’s famed natural beauty also makes it the perfect place to spend a summer, and it’s easy to find safe outdoor recreational activities to enjoy with your classmates.

Your initial orientation and coursework will be online, but we expect to switch to a hybrid format in late May once Cornell’s spring semester courses have concluded. In the hybrid environment you can choose to have an in-person (socially-distanced and masks required) seat in a given class. Seat assignments will rotate as needed if demand exceeds classroom capacity.

The hybrid format will give you the opportunity for an in-person class experience, and is consistent with what we’ve done for our Ithaca-based students during the 2020-2021 academic year. Ithaca students who have taken advantage of our hybrid option have rated the experience very positively, reporting that they appreciate the option to be with classmates in person. Many have also said that attending classes on campus makes it easier for them to focus on academics.

Cornell has made the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff its number one priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key to Cornell’s success has been a robust COVID-19 testing protocol for all students in the Ithaca area, which includes both entry testing and ongoing surveillance testing. Undergraduates are tested twice a week, and professional students are tested weekly. We anticipate that this testing regimen will continue in the summer, and expect to have more detailed information in the spring. Learn more about Cornell’s testing program.