Big Red Barn
The Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center
Cornell recognizes that a strong sense of belonging and community is essential to graduate and professional student success. The university values opportunities for interdisciplinary connection, personal well-being, and meaningful engagement that enrich the graduate student experience.
The Barn serves as a dedicated gathering place where graduate and professional students can build community, foster connections, and access programs designed to support their academic and personal success.
Located in the heart of campus and surrounded by lawns and gardens, the Barn hosts more than 500 events annually, including trivia nights, study and writing breaks, cultural celebrations, workshops, and the ever-popular T.G.I.F. (Tell Grads It’s Friday) series.
Through a partnership with the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA), the Barn was formally established as the graduate and professional student community center in 1993. Since then, the Barn and the GPSA have maintained a close and collaborative relationship dedicated to enhancing the graduate student experience at Cornell.
You can follow the Barn on Instagram (@brbcornell) to stay informed about upcoming events, opportunities, and community news. See Big Red Barn Programming for more information about graduate and professional student programs.
Building Hours and Operations
The Big Red Barn (the Barn), located behind the A.D. White House and adjacent to the Space Sciences Building, is a multi-use facility that offers several reservable spaces for programs, meetings, and events. It serves as the Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center and operates in partnership with Cornell Dining to provide food service and community gathering space.
Aligning with the university academic calendar, the building is generally open during the following hours:
- Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Weekends: Open by reservation only
Cornell Dining
The Big Red Barn is home to a café offering breakfast and lunch during the academic year. The menu features a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, pastries, and other favorites.
Whether you’re meeting friends, taking a study break, or enjoying a meal between classes, the Barn provides a uniquely Cornell dining experience. Guests can relax and dine in one of the university’s oldest and most distinctive buildings.
Dining Hours (Academic Year)
Hours are also posted at the Barn entrance.
- Breakfast: Monday through Friday, 8 to 11 a.m.
- Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
History of the Big Red Barn
Constructed in the 1870s, the Barn originally served as the carriage house for the home of Cornell’s first president, Andrew Dickson White.
One of the oldest structures on Cornell’s campus, the Barn was converted into a social center by Cornell alumni in the 1950s and underwent a complete renovation in 1991. Antiques and farm implements throughout the building reflect its historic roots, while modern additions preserve its rustic character and welcoming atmosphere.