How to spot a Hotelie at Cornell

It’s not my major, but I’ve always been intrigued by Hotelie students at School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. These students stand out from the rest of us. After asking a few friends about what it’s like to be studying in SHA, there’s a lot more to know about the hotelie life and you should start paying attention to these kids now. With their alumni connections and the skills they learn here, they’ll be leaders in their industries down the line.

They make great first impressions

These students make a killer approach and all seem to have mastered the art of the handshake. Never have I been in a class where I learned how to make a pitch for myself or how to properly answer a question by thanking, introducing, and asking, but this seems to quickly become second nature. I have yet to meet someone in the hotel school who isn’t personable.

They dress well

This is the easiest way to spot a hotelie. I’m pretty sure it’s a requirement that people in the hotel school dress nicely, at least on Fridays. They can’t simply roll out of bed and slide into class at 8:40. You can spot a hotelie from their array of “business casual” shirts, skirts, pants, blazers, and more, down to the nice shoes and maybe even heels. I have made the mistake of walking the slope (and the rest of campus) in heels for a day and let it be known, I will never willingly do that again. I do not have the stamina to look as good as them day in and day out. These students are prepared for the real world and always ready to impress, whether for a future employer, a new friend in class, or a potential significant other!

They practically never leave their building

For many majors, classes are spread throughout a variety of buildings on campus which requires them to trek around in all the elements. Luckily for students in the School of Hotel Administration, the vast majority of their classes are taught within the Statler. This is probably purposeful by Cornell to protect their clothes and shoes from all of the slush of Ithaca winters.

Where to find hotelies

Because Statler Hall is so self-contained for the students, they seem to have every necessity covered inside the building. The lounge is a go to for some students in between classes. Their very own library is also a great place to find friends and have a good study session, but it’s not the best for those who enjoy quiet studying. When classes let out, Macs is a great place to grab food or smoothies, but finding a coveted space to sit is difficult. Even more crowded are the lines for the other BRB eatery in Statler, which can stretch for what seems like miles. You can hear these students arguing over whether Terrace has the best salads and what fillings to get in a wrap. And don’t even get me started on their love for the student-run Establishment. You’ll have to check that one out yourself if you haven’t been yet.

They’re really good at chatting it up

Mentioned earlier was the fact that hotelies are good at approaching people. Sometimes these smooth talkers are just too good at getting you into a conversation. Sometimes you will just wish for a quiet moment in your day, but hey, if they want to talk about your day, then let them be a sounding board for you to complain about the prelim you think you just tanked.

You kind of envy them (a little)

While you’re sitting in organic chemistry memorizing compounds, they might be in lecture right now hearing from the head of a large cruise company or a fancy New York restaurant. They have so many opportunities to connect with important people, while you might still be trying to figure out what major you actually want to study. This is cool, but their schedules are pretty strict in terms of requirements within the hotel school.

You’ll find them legally drinking wine under the age of 21

How is this possible? Simple. If they are lucky enough to register successfully, Introduction to Wines (for educational purposes of course) allows hotelies to learn about growing and productions factors, food and wine pairing, and wine etiquette. But more importantly, juniors and seniors get to receive college credit while swirling, sniffing, and sipping wines from around the world.

They fold napkins?

Noooooo. While many people enjoy poking fun at our beloved hotelies, remember they are people too. We’re all here at Cornell to work hard, learn a lot, and have some fun. It just might be your major that people go after next!