Plan Your Visit: See Hospitality Education in Action
We can’t wait to welcome you to campus. After all, hospitality is the lifeblood of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. There are several ways to visit campus, connect with our admissions team, and see our students, faculty, staff, and alumni in action.
Prospective Undergraduate
A campus visit is the best way to learn about life as a Hotelie—the nickname our students have carried since before the 1950s. We invite you to join us in Ithaca for an admissions event, a look around Statler Hall (the Nolan School’s main classroom building), or a tour of the Cornell University campus. View upcoming availability for general campus tours and undergraduate admission sessions.
If you’re interested in pursuing your Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) degree at the Nolan School, we encourage you to connect with us on campus or virtually. Meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor or observe MMH faculty and students in action during a classroom visit.
Statler Hall is the main Nolan School building on the Cornell University campus. The building's main entrance is on East Avenue in Ithaca.
The Marriott Student Learning Center in Statler Hall provides students with work and meeting spaces.
The workrooms in Statler Hall allow for more private meetings and collaboration.
The Stater Hall Capital Market Lab D computer lab is open to Nolan School students and optimized for group work.
Diners at The Establishment Restaurant in Statler Hall have views of other Cornell University Buildings.
The Alice Statler Auditorium in Statler Hall is one of the largest capacity classrooms on the Cornell campus.
The area around the first floor stairs of the Beck Center in Statler Hall is often used to have events.
Students can seek assistance at the Office of Student Services and Admissions within Statler Hall.
Statler Hall
Teaching Hotelies, the Hospitality Leaders of Tomorrow.
At first glance, Statler Hall is the Nolan School classroom building. Upon further review, Statler Hall is the epicenter of the Nolan School experience. The facility enables hospitality management students to connect and push the Hotelie community forward. Statler Hall was built in 1948 and is connected to The Statler Hotel, which was constructed at the same time. The buildings were funded by the Statler Foundation.
A Closer Look at Statler Hall
Marriott Student Learning Center
The Marriott Student Learning Center (MSLC) at Statler Hall is an elevated library/multiuse space. The space is used by Nolan School students to study, work collaboratively, and grab a delicious coffee. Included in the center are the Tsai Family Atrium, Club Room, George B. Mallory ’54 Student Lounge, and the Nestlé Library, which features one of the world’s largest collections of research material in hospitality and real estate.
Robert A. and Jan M. Beck Center
The Robert A. and Jan M. Beck Center honors former Nolan School dean, Robert A. Beck. Beck was Nolan School dean from 1961 to 1981. In 2004, the addition to Statler Hall was dedicated to Beck and his late wife. The addition includes a lecture hall, two case study rooms, an expanded computer center, a three-story “curtain of glass,” and study/meeting rooms.
Dean Meek’s Tree
Howard B. Meek was the first dean of the Nolan School. In 1948, when Statler Hall was constructed, Dean Meek saved a white oak tree that was set for removal. The tree was in the way of the building plans. Thanks to Dean Meek, the plans were altered instead. In 1986 when Statler Hall was renovated, Dean Meek’s Tree was incorporated into the design. In 1990, Dean Meek’s Tree was added to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s list of historical trees. Dean Meek’s Tree can still be seen on campus.
Entrance to The Statler Hotel, the Nolan School’s teaching hotel.
As part of the Nolan School curriculum, students work many different roles within The Statler Hotel.
The Regent Lounge in The Statler Hotel provides soft seating and pub-style food and drink.
Rooms in The Statler Hotel provide guests with luxury on the Cornell University campus in beautiful Ithaca, NY.
Suites at The Statler Hotel provide guests with a dining and seating area outside their bedroom.
The test kitchen at The Statler Hotel is where Nolan School students practice the food preparation side of the hotel industry.
The Statler Hotel meeting rooms provide elegant spaces for business meetings.
The Statler Hotel: A Luxurious Teaching Experience
Established in 1950, Statler Hotel is a AAA Four-Diamond hotel on the Cornell campus. The Statler is the Ivy League’s only teaching hotel. At The Statler, guests receive an upscale hotel experience, and students hone their hospitality management skills alongside seasoned professionals.
Part of the Nolan School experience is the proximity to the vibrant city of Ithaca and the Collegetown neighborhood. Collegetown in particular offers off-campus dining, shopping, and housing within walking distance to Nolan School students, faculty, staff, and alumni visiting campus. Ithaca and Collegetown boast both a tight-knit community feel and an exciting nightlife experience, allowing individuals to find just what they want in the area.
Local Hotspots for Students
Collegetown Bagels
Collegetown Bagels is an Ithaca institution, and many consider enjoying their food a necessary introduction to the Cornell lifestyle. Collegetown Bagels offers bagels, other baked goods, salads, sandwiches, and coffee to keep the Nolan School community going.
Wings Over Ithaca
Wings Over Ithaca has been a Cornell staple for years, and in 2017 four Cornell alums purchased the entire Wings Over franchise. Wings Over Ithaca on Dryden Road serves wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads, among other items. Open until at least 1 a.m., Wings Over Ithaca can fulfill the Nolan School community’s late-night cravings.
Our Cornell Community
The Nolan School community is vibrant thanks to the continued involvement of alumni. The collaboration of seasoned alumni, recent grads, and current students provides members of the community and the Nolan School campus with never-ending learning opportunities. The energy of the Nolan School family encourages alumni to return to their home away from home.
Educational Experiences Offered on the Nolan School Campus
Nolan School buildings are just a conduit for the growth opportunities offered through our various academic programs. The education provided to students amplifies their natural passion for hospitality and provides them with a network of like-minded individuals in the industry.