New: 7/2/2007
When/how do I register?
We will have a table in the lobby of Busey-Evans Residence Hall, Sunday, July 8th, from 3-5pm. Please do not come earlier than that, because we won't be ready. You can pick up your name badge, binder, and other materials, there.
If you're coming in later than that, plan to go early to the first talk (Monday morning, 8am) to register.
Registration Fee
When and how do I pay the registration fee?
You can pay by credit card. The form isn't set up yet, but we'll announce when it's available. You can also pay when you arrive.
How much is the registration fee?
The fee is $75.
No. It can't be waived, because it pays for things which our regular funds do not cover.
Maps
There is a map of north campus available at http://www.mcc.uiuc.edu/summerschool/HighwayBuildingMap.pdf
(472Kb). This map shows the interstate connections around Champaign/Urbana, and the locations of the provided housing, computer lab, lecture hall, and other buildings of interest. The housing front desk will also supply you with bus schedules, campus maps, city maps, and some other information when you arrive.
Housing Questions
Where/what is the housing?
The dormitory is the Busey-Evans) Hall. Visit their website for details: http://www.housing.uiuc.edu/options/under/busey.htm. During the school year, they house only women. In the summer, they house men and women.
There will be, closer to the school date.
How many people will share a room?
Two people share a dorm room. The bathrooms are centrally placed on each floor.
I'm attending the conference with another member of my group. Would it be possible to room together?
Yes, you can room together. Each of you should list the other person as the roommate, when you sign up for housing.
I'm arriving after 5pm/late. Can I still check in to the dormitory?
Yes. The check-in desk is staffed 24 hours, 7 days per week, so late/early arrivals are no problem.
I'm arriving after 5pm on Sunday. Can I still can register and pick up my welcome packet on Sunday?
Yes, we will leave them at the dorm, so you can get them when you arrive.
What about internet access at the dorms?
There are ethernet jacks in the rooms. The blue cables needed for computer access should be in each room (often in a drawer or closet). If the cables are missing, you can contact the front desk. There is also wireless connectivity in the common areas (lounges, lobby, etc.) Please do not plug any routers or bridges into the housing network. The most typical problem for connecting is using the wrong cable or having it plugged in the wrong way. The small end of the blue supplied cables must be in the wall jack. You can also call 4-1111 during the day to try to get help.
Do I need to bring sheets and pillows, etc?
The dorms will have pillow, made bed, blanket, towel, washcloth, and soap. You can request more blankets at the front desk, and exchange towels there, too.
Are there laundry facilities available in the dorms? What are they like?
There are usually laundry facilities in the basement of the building where you are staying. Machines accept quarters, and it costs $1 a wash and $1 per dry. There is a change machine in the room, and the front desk staff can provide change for small bills. We have no laundry soap available in the hall, so participants will have to bring their own or purchase supplies in local stores (esk staff can give directions - and there is a Walgreens drugstore within walking distance.
How do I get to and from campus from the Champaign-Urbana airport?
The Willard airport is 10-15 minutes from campus, and there are buses and taxis that go back and forth. Currently, two airlines fly into Willard: Delta and American. There are always taxis at the airport when flights arrive, but to get from campus to the airport it's best to call ahead for a taxi to meet you someplace on campus. (There aren't taxis driving around campus as they do in larger cities.) Taxis cost $10-15 per person, one way.
The CU mass transit offers the Air Bus #27, which goes from campus to the airport, about once every hour on weekdays. For maps and schedules, visit http://www.cumtd.com/. A sample AirBus schedule is: http://www.cumtd.com/routeschedules/ByRoute.aspx?routeID=27&routegroupID=8
Any stop labelled "Illini Union" is very close to the Summer School activities and housing.
Housing will get some printed copies of the bus schedules - check at the housing front desk.
They will also look online for you, if you know where you want to go, and when.
How do I get to and from campus from the train station?
The CU mass transit (buses) go to and from the train station (called "Illinois Terminal") quite often, even later at night. For maps and schedules, visit http://www.cumtd.com. Here's an example schedule, for Sunday evenings (after 8pm) http://www.cumtd.com/routeschedules/ByRoute.aspx?routeID=31&routegroupID=12
The stops labeled "Materials Research Lab" and "Illini Union" are very close to the Summer School activities and housing. A bus ride costs $1. You can buy all-day passes for Saturdays and Sundays for $2. You can purchase bus tokens and passes on the bus, from the driver.
Getting around Champaign-Urbana by Car
Do I need a rental car to get around, or is there mass transit?
The campus is pretty compact, and there are several restaurants within easy walking distance.
Parking is expensive ($7/day or $26/week), and you might find that you don't need a car, unless you are bringing a spouse/partner/companion who will be going around the city during the day. To keep the expenses down, renting a car is not recommend. The housing is a 10-minute walk from the lecture halls and computer labs, and a 10-minute walk to campustown (restaurants, shops, pharmacy, office supplies, photocopy centers). It's a 20-minute walk through pleasant residential streets to Urbana (local restaurants, bakery, natural food store, some shops and bars), and a dusty 40-minute walk to downtown Champaign (bars and clubs and restaurants). Movie cinemas and mall-like shopping are possible by bus.
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) bus system offers extensive routes and times, with plenty of stops in campus. For schedules, visit http://www.cumtd.com. A bus ride costs $1. You can buy all-day passes for Saturdays and Sundays for $2. You can purchase bus tokens and passes on the bus, from the driver.
Getting around Champaign-Urbana by Bike
Are there any places to rent a bicycle near the university? Does the university itself provide this service?
You can call Durst Cycle at 217-367-3600. They rent their used bikes, for about $35/week. You should bring a helmet if you have one. Durst is two buildings away from the Summer School location.
Bikeworks, 217-328-2001, recommends that you box and ship your own (and bring a good lock).
You might also try http://www.campusrec.uiuc.edu/outdoor/rates.html, which is part of the University.
Getting to/from O'Hare
How do I travel between Champaign and O'Hare?
http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/parking_trans/index.php
Lincoln Land Express:
(800) 223-9313, http://lincolnlandexpress.com
Amtrak train:
(800) 872-7245, http://amtrak.com
Where and what is the Illinois Terminal?
The Illinios Terminal is the train station, and many buses pass it on their routes to and from campus. There are also cabs usually waiting, when trains arrive. http://www.ci.champaign.il.us/parking_trans/index.php
I am arriving late at night at the Illinois Terminal. How do I get to the housing?
You can catch a cab at the terminal. You will also have access to pay phones in case you need to call a cab.
Weekend activities
Are there activities on the weekend?
There aren't any planned activities for the weekend. The computer labs will likely be open, however, for at least several hours a day.
If I fly into Champaign, will be time to visit Chicago during the week?
Check: Lincoln Land Express:
(800) 223-9313, http://lincolnlandexpress.com
Amtrak train:
(800) 872-7245, http://amtrak.com
You could train (3 hrs) in on Saturday morning, stay in a hotel (which MCC would not cover), and train back on Sunday afternoon/evening. Or you can find some other people who want to rent a car together. Driving will take about 2.5 hrs.
Reimbursements
How much do car drivers get reimbursed per mile?
The University of Illinois reimburses at 44.5 cents per mile.
A colleague and I are driving together. Who would be reimbursed for that?
We can reimburse the owner of the vehicle for round trip actual mileage provided the mileage reimbursement does not exceed the cost of a round trip airline ticket and does not exceed university guidelines for mileage. The owner of the vehicle should write down the odometer reading when they start the trip. The student must be driving their own vehicle in order to get reimbursed for mileage. We do not reimburse passengers.
No.
I was told that I should prepare copies of my visa documents. Should I fax those to you before July or give them to you when I arrive?
You can bring them with you, and give them to us when you arrive in Champaign-Urbana.
What's the deadline for application of travel reimbursement?
You should plan to submit your reimbursement receipts as soon as you get home. It takes usually one month to get reimbursement, because the University billing goes in two-week cycles. If it misses one, a request has to wait until the next time period.
Which papers will be needed for reimbursement of travel expenses?
For reimbursement of the flight and bus trip you will need your flight receipt and bus ticket receipt. Our Business Office requests the originals. You should make copies for yourself, as backup.
The plane ticket price is more than what will be covered by the summer school organizers. My home institution will pay the rest. Do I leave the originals with you or with my home institution? It's best to talk to Susan Logan, in our Business Office.
Internet Access
Do we need to bring our own laptop?
We strongly recommend that you bring your laptop, if you have one.
Will we have wireless access?
The lecture room will be wireless, but the dorms are wired. Some other places in town and campus are wireless, and some are wired. So, bring your cable, just in case.
Wireless Connectivity in CU
Where is wireless connectivity available in town?
This website keeps a convenient list of wireless hotspots: http://cuwireless.net/hotspots?PHPSESSID=985348b7abbbf4ddfe9894886d065ca6
Will we have wireless access at the Summer School?
The lecture room will be wireless, but the dorms are wired. Some other places in town and campus are wireless, and some are wired. So, bring your cable, just in case.
Software/Computer Lab Access
Will we have access to the computer lab after the classes have ended for the day?
We don't know yet.
Adapters
We can provide one 'Reverse Voltage Convert':
"For use with motorized, electronic or heating appliances rated up to 40 watts maximum. Converts North American electricity (110/120VAC) to foreign standard (220/240VAC) to operate foreign appliances in North America."
Exercise Facilities
I would like to go to the gym or to the pool on the weekend. Is that possible?
To gain entrance to Campus Recreation facilities, you will need to show your Summer School acceptance letter, to demonstrate that you are a guest of the University. Entrance fees are $7-8 per day. Towel rental is $1; you can also bring your own. There are three types of lockers: coin operated, electronic key, and self-brought-locks. Visit the Campus Recreation site for facility hours and locations.
Mail
How can I have postal mail sent to me during the school?
You can have it sent to:
Your name
c/o Materials Computation Center
Summer School
UIUC - MRL
MC-230
104 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Weather
ATM
The nearest ATM (cash machine) is in the Beckman Institute, west of NCSA by two buildings. You have to go inside the building, and it's by the west entrance. There are other ATMs on campustown (Green Street), on just about every street corner.
