Determining your class/group schedule is one of the more difficult tasks for Reunion planners. It’s important to strike a balance between planning activities exclusively for your class/group and having enough “unscheduled” time for your guests to attend other activities. When you consider all of the Reunion programs offered by colleges and units, classes and groups, and the university, it’s no surprise that Reunion attendees are often unable to fit all their aspirations into one weekend.
You don’t need to schedule an abundance of class/group specific programming. Allow ample opportunities for guests to enjoy Reunion on their own and consider multi-class/group and college/unit collaborations.
University-Sponsored Events and Entertainment
The Reunion Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, the Olin Lecture, A Conversation with President Martha E. Pollack, Cornelliana Night, and the Arts Quad Tent Parties are some of the more popular annual university events. Most of these activities are unticketed and open to all registered attendees with a Reunion button.
College and Unit Programming and Recreational Activities
Because alumni like to see deans and faculty showcase their achievements, college breakfasts and lectures are popular among Reunion attendees—as are open houses with fraternities and sororities. In addition to these events, the Athletics department and Recreational Services sponsor several optional activities for Reunion attendees. These activities may require additional fees and separate registration. All activities will be listed on the Reunion website in April.
Class/Group-Sponsored Activities
Class/Group Forums
The format for class/group forums can range from panel discussions to showcases of work by notable peers. Classes/groups can collaborate with each other or with colleges in planning these events, which are often free, open to the public, and a good way to feature class and university talent. Please work through your Reunion staff contact to request a potential speaker.
Performers
Along with the university-sponsored events, there are several entertainment offerings throughout the weekend that you can include on your class/group schedule, including the Savage Club and Chorus and Glee Club concerts. We recommend student a cappella groups or the Big Red Band for added entertainment.
Class Programs will coordinate schedules for the following student groups:
- After Eight
- Big Red Band
- The Hangovers
- Touchdown the bear
If you would like to hire a band or a DJ but do not have anyone in mind, your Reunion staff contact can offer suggestions—we maintain a list of local musicians.
Please keep in mind that all performers must sign a Cornell entertainment contract, and many require you to pay for their meals. Artists often request a deposit before Reunion (if so, you must get a separate invoice for the deposit). Be sure to determine if the artist requires a stage for the band, a dance floor, a sound system, or other equipment.
Class/Group Photos
Class Programs will arrange for all classes and groups to have a group photograph taken, if desired. Discuss your schedule with your Reunion staff contact to determine the best time and location for your class/group photo. For a flat fee budgeted in the fixed expenses section of your Reunion budget, you and your classmates will be given access to digital high-resolution images available for download. Classmates can elect to order prints of class/group photos directly from the photographer’s online photo gallery after Reunion, separate from registration costs. Aside from the traditional group photo, you can hire a professional photographer for all or part of the weekend, or ask someone in attendance to be the Reunion photographer.
Ice Cream Socials
You can plan a late-night serve-yourself sundae bar or a full-service ice cream party, or you can provide a freezer with assorted flavors of ice cream in your headquarters throughout the weekend.
Events at Area Attractions
Classes/groups have the option of planning a gathering off-campus at one of the many Ithaca-area attractions. Whether you are visiting one of the state parks, hiking the gorges, or hosting a brewery or winery tour, events at local attractions are a great way to explore and experience the area. Your Reunion staff contact can help you with arrangements.
Childcare Options
For many alumni, Reunion is a family event. We encourage families to attend Reunion weekend, and we make every effort to ensure that children enjoy themselves as much as their parents by offering family-friendly programming and Ithaca-based child-care options.
Below are a few guidelines about children at Reunion:
- Children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times.
- No one under the age of 21, including children of alumni (regardless of whether they are accompanied by a parent/ guardian), will be permitted on the Arts Quad during the Tent Parties, and picture ID may be requested.
- Cornell Reunion is partnering with the Cornell Child Care Center to offer childcare services for children ages 2 through 12 on Saturday of Reunion. Care services will be offered for a fee from 4:00-9:00 p.m. to allow parents a worry-free evening of connecting with classmates while our younger Reunion guests have a blast with care providers at the Cornell Child Care Center located on the edge of Cornell’s North Campus.
Ithaca-Based Childcare Options
To assist alumni in identifying childcare arrangements during Reunion, we have compiled a list of local providers. The Cornell University Reunion Babysitter List acts only as a clearinghouse for the convenience of care providers and clients. Cornell University does not screen providers; they are employed solely by the clients and are not employees of Cornell University. The Babysitter List will be available on the Reunion website near the time of registration launch.
A Final Thought
Classmates may find themselves limited in their activities and participation in Reunion if they do not arrange for childcare in advance. Communicating these details to classmates will ensure that families enjoy their time on campus.
Entertaining Children at Headquarters
You cannot sponsor any type of childcare in headquarters. However, it is still important for classes/groups who expect to have children at their Reunion headquarters to provide some type of “children’s lounge” where children under the age of 16 and their parents, or designated caregiver, can find age-appropriate activities. Consider the following when planning your children’s lounge: a comfortable and secure location, age-appropriate activities including movies for all ages, TV/video games, music, board games, books, art supplies, and drinks and snacks. Refer to the youth attendance figures from Reunion 2023.
Many alumni may choose to return without their children or may not have children. They may have decided to come to Reunion “to get away from it all” and have arranged for childcare at home. Remind attendees to be considerate and to limit noise levels in residence halls, and consider coordinating your housing pre-assignments to place families in a ‘quiet section’ of the residence hall.