8/9/25

Navigating Cornell University Storage: A Student's Ultimate Guide

Hey everyone! If you're a Cornell student, you know the drill. The end of the semester rolls around & suddenly you’re faced with a mountain of stuff & nowhere to put it for the summer. Or maybe you're heading off for a semester abroad & need a place to stash your things. Whatever the reason, figuring out storage in Ithaca can be a real headache.
Honestly, it’s one of those things that can sneak up on you between final exams & trying to figure out your summer plans. But don't stress! I've dug into the options available for Cornell students, from university-endorsed services to local businesses & even some alternative ideas you might not have thought of. Let's break it all down so you can find the perfect solution for your needs & budget.

The Official Cornell Choice: Big Red Shipping & Storage

When you start looking for storage, one of the first names you'll probably come across is Big Red Shipping & Storage (BRSS). This is the university's contracted & recommended vendor, which comes with some pretty significant perks.
Here's the thing about using BRSS: they have a unique level of access & integration with the university. They are given permission to be in the residence halls to help you out, which is a HUGE plus. Imagine not having to haul your heavy boxes down multiple flights of stairs. They offer free in-room pickup from your dorm, apartment, or house. You just schedule an appointment, pack your stuff, & they handle the rest.
Some of the cool features of BRSS include:
  • Free In-Room Pickup & Delivery: This is probably the biggest selling point. The convenience of having someone come directly to your room to get your things is a lifesaver during the chaos of move-out week.
  • Free Boxes: On designated "Free Box Days," you can grab the boxes you need for packing, which helps cut down on costs. Just show them your appointment confirmation.
  • Climate-Controlled Facility: Your belongings are stored in a facility that manages temperature & humidity, protecting your stuff from the elements.
  • Shipping Services: As their name suggests, they don't just store. If you need to ship some items home & store others, you can do it all through one service.
Because they are partnered with Cornell, they are deeply familiar with the academic calendar & the specific needs of students. They even offer packing services if you're completely overwhelmed by finals. You can get more details & updates by following their Instagram or giving them a call. For many students, the sheer convenience & the university's stamp of approval make BRSS the go-to option.

Exploring Off-Campus & Private Storage Solutions

While BRSS is a fantastic option, it's always smart to shop around. There are several other reputable companies in the Ithaca area that specialize in student storage. These services are competitive & often offer a variety of pricing structures & features that might be a better fit for your specific situation.

Storage Squad

Another big player in the Cornell student storage game is Storage Squad. They are known for their student-focused services & aim to make the process as simple & stress-free as possible.
Here’s what makes Storage Squad stand out:
  • All-Inclusive Pricing: Their average student order, which they estimate at around $400, often includes not just storage but also packing supplies like boxes, tape, & labels. This can make budgeting a lot easier.
  • Flexible Pickup Options: They offer a free "Main Entrance Service" where you bring your items to them outside your building. Or, for a fee, you can opt for the convenience of in-room pickup.
  • Secure & Climate-Controlled: Like BRSS, they use secure, humidity-controlled facilities to keep your items safe from mold & mildew. They even recommend bagging clothing before boxing it up for extra protection.
  • Use Your Own Boxes: If you already have your own boxes or storage bins, you don't have to use theirs. You can simply print labels from their website & attach them to your items.
Storage Squad offers a great combination of affordability & service, & they have a user-friendly online system for booking & tracking your stuff.

Uncle Marty's Shipping Office

If you're looking to support a local, small business with a stellar reputation, Uncle Marty's Shipping Office is a name you'll hear a lot around Ithaca. Located right in Collegetown, they offer a personal touch that many students appreciate.
Uncle Marty's is a bit different from the larger, student-focused companies. Here’s a look at their model:
  • Flat-Rate, Per-Item Pricing: Their pricing is super transparent. You pay a certain amount per item, per month. For example, a regular box up to 50 pounds might be $15 per month. This is great if you only have a few things to store.
  • Flexible Drop-Off: You can drop your items off at their store anytime during business hours without an appointment. They even have carts you can borrow to make it easier to get your stuff from your car to their shop.
  • Pickup & Delivery Service: If you can't get to their store, they offer a curbside pickup & delivery service for a fee. You just need to have your items packed & ready at the scheduled time.
  • Year-Round Accessibility: Because they are a year-round shipping & office service, they are always there. This is a bonus if you need to access your items unexpectedly or have questions outside of the typical move-in/move-out periods.
They also sell a wide variety of boxes & packing supplies. Uncle Marty's is an excellent choice for students who value supporting local businesses & prefer a more a la carte pricing model.

Collegeboxes (U-Haul)

Collegeboxes, a service powered by U-Haul, is another major option for Cornell students. Their affiliation with a national brand like U-Haul means they have a robust infrastructure & a wide range of services.
Here’s the rundown on Collegeboxes:
  • Multiple Service Types: They offer summer storage, "Ship to School" services, & direct shipping. This is great for students in various situations, whether you're moving home for the summer, studying abroad, or even graduating.
  • On-Campus Drop-Off Locations: For their storage services, they often have convenient drop-off locations right on campus. You bring your packed items to them, & they handle the rest.
  • Local U-Haul Storage: Your belongings are stored at the local U-Haul facility in Ithaca, located at 343 Elmira Rd. This is a secure, professional storage facility.
  • U-Box Containers: For larger moves, they offer U-Box moving containers, which can be a great option if you're moving an entire apartment's worth of stuff.
Collegeboxes combines the convenience of student-focused services with the reliability of a large, established company like U-Haul. Their online system allows you to manage your account & track your shipments, providing peace of mind.

Thinking Outside the Box: Alternative Storage & Parking Ideas

The services I've mentioned are all fantastic, but what if you have needs that don't quite fit into the standard "box-and-store" model? What if you have a car you need to park for the summer? Or maybe you just have a few bulky items & don't want to pay for a full-service storage plan.
This is where thinking a little differently can really pay off. Turns out, there are some pretty cool peer-to-peer options out there that can save you money & offer more flexibility.

Prked for Storage & Parking

One of the most interesting alternatives I've come across is Prked. It's a platform that connects people who have extra space with people who need to store things. Think of it like Airbnb, but for storage & parking.
Here’s how it could be a game-changer for Cornell students:
  • Vehicle Storage: Finding a place to park your car for the summer in Ithaca can be tough & expensive. With Prked, you can rent a safe, private driveway or garage from a local resident for a fraction of the cost of a commercial lot. This is perfect if you're leaving for the summer but want to keep your car in town for your return.
  • Affordable, Local Storage: Maybe you just have a bicycle, a mini-fridge, & a couple of boxes. Instead of a traditional storage unit, you could use Prked to rent a corner of someone's garage, a space in their basement, or even a spare closet. This can be WAY more affordable than the per-item pricing of some services, especially for awkwardly shaped items.
  • Flexibility & Proximity: You might find a storage spot right in your neighborhood, making it super easy to drop off & pick up your things. You're dealing with a real person, which can often mean more flexibility with timing.
The idea of using a neighbor's unused space is not only resourceful but also fosters a sense of community. It's a sustainable solution that makes use of existing resources. For students on a budget or with non-traditional storage needs, Prked is definitely an option worth exploring.

What to Consider When Choosing a Storage Option

With all these choices, how do you decide? Here are a few key things to think about:
  1. Cost vs. Convenience: In-room pickup is incredibly convenient, but it might cost more than dropping off your items yourself. Decide what's more important to you: saving money or saving time & effort.
  2. Amount of Stuff: If you have a lot of items, a service with all-inclusive pricing might be best. If you only have a few things, a per-item model like Uncle Marty's could be cheaper.
  3. Insurance & Security: Make sure you understand the insurance coverage offered by each company. Also, confirm that your items will be in a climate-controlled facility to protect against damage.
  4. Customer Reviews: Do a quick search for reviews of any service you're considering. See what other Cornell students have said about their experiences.
  5. Your Specific Needs: Do you need to store a car? A bike? A fragile piece of art? Your unique needs might steer you toward a specific service or an alternative like Prked.

A Note on Digital Storage

It's also worth mentioning that Cornell University provides students with a significant amount of digital storage through services like Microsoft OneDrive & Google Drive. While this isn't for your physical belongings, it's SUPER important for your academic work. Before you leave for the summer, make sure all your important files, papers, & projects are backed up to the cloud. You don't want to come back in the fall to find that a crashed hard drive has erased your semester's work.

Wrapping It Up

Figuring out summer storage at Cornell doesn't have to be a major source of stress. Whether you choose the university-affiliated Big Red Shipping & Storage, a trusted private company like Storage Squad or Uncle Marty's, the national power of Collegeboxes, or an innovative solution like Prked, there's an option that will work for you.
My advice? Start planning early. Get quotes from a few different places, think carefully about what you really need to store, & don't be afraid to ask questions. A little bit of planning on the front end will make your move-out process SO much smoother.
Hope this was helpful & gives you a great starting point for your storage search! Let me know what you think or if you have any other tips for fellow Cornellians. Good luck with the end of the semester
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