Initial Publication Date: March 17, 2008

Logistics and Transportation

Note: this workshop has already taken place.

The workshop will begin at 5:30 PM on Monday, June 2, 2008 with a reception and dinner at the Atherton Hotel in State College, PA. Please make your plans so that you will be able to attend this opening session. The workshop will conclude around 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 3rd. It is essential that you attend the full workshop including the full day on Tuesday. There will also be an optional field trip to the ice core laboratory on Wednesday morning.

Travel Expenses

Workshop participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements and pay for their travel expenses. However there are travel stipends of $200 available to the first 50 applicants who request a stipend. Please check the appropriate box on your application if you need a travel stipend.

Travel by Air

Please note, University Park is the name of the Penn State University community. State College is the town that borders Penn State.

Delta Connection, Northwest Airlink, United Express and US Airways Express serve the State College area through the University Park Airport (SCE), located five miles from campus. Rental car, limousine, and taxi service is available.

For reservations and information:

Delta 1-800-221-1212
United Express 1-800-241-6522
US Airways Express 1-800-428-4322
Private or charter aircraft may fly into University Park Airport. Please call (814) 865-5511 to make arrangements.

Located ninety miles southeast of State College, Harrisburg International Airport (HAR) offers an alternative arrival and departure location. Airlines serving Harrisburg include Air Canada, American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways. Rental car service is available. Please plan your flight arrival anticipating and 1.5 hour (90 mile) drive to State College.

Participants should arrange their own flight and ground transportation. Rental car service is available at both airports. Taxi service is available from the University Park Airport to The Atherton Hotel.

Travel by Car to State College, PA

State College is located within driving distance of many major cities including Harrisburg (1.5 hrs., 90 mi), Pittsburgh (3 hrs., 137 mi), Philadelphia (3.5 hrs., 194 mi), Baltimore (3.5 hrs., 155 mi), Washington D.C. (4 hrs., 190 mi), New York City (5 hrs., 250 mi) and Toronto (6.5 hrs., 304 mi).

For complete driving instructions, Pennsylvania State University has a useful website that provides directions and maps from major cities. The Atherton Hotel, where the workshop will take place, is very near the Penn State campus.

Lodging

Workshop participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations and paying for their lodging. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Atherton Hotel.

You will need to make your own reservation. These reservations can be made online or by calling: 800-832-0132 or 814-231-2100. The Block code is CUTTI020608. Please mention that you are with this group when making your reservations. These rooms will be held until May 2nd, 2008

Rooms are $95 per night, single occupancy. Double-occupancy rooms are $105, and may be shared to save money. Internet access is available in guest rooms, and there is complimentary wireless service in the lobby area.

Individual reservations must be changed or canceled 24 hours prior to arrival or the reservation is subject to full charge of all nights' room and tax revenue. Early departure will result in a fee of $50.

Check-in time is 3:00 PM. If your schedule requires an early check-in time, please advise the hotel and they will try to honor your request. Luggage storage is happily provided by the hotel. Checkout is 12:00 noon.

Parking

Parking will be available in an underground parking facility at the Atherton Hotel for people staying in the hotel. There are two parking garages within 2 1/2 blocks of the hotel, Beaver St. Garage (Pugh St. & E. Beaver St.) and Fraser Garage (Fraser St. & E. Beaver St.). Please let us know when you register if you have any concerns about accommodations or mobility.

Communications

All applicants that have been accepted to this workshop will be added to a workshop participant email list. The email list will be used by the conveners and support staff to send out additional information about the workshop program and logistics.

The telephone number at The Atherton Hotel is 814-231-2100. The hotel and workshop meeting rooms all have free internet access.

Each participant will need a laptop computer during the workshop. Please let us know when you register if you are unable to bring your own laptop.

Meals

The Atherton Hotel will be serving all your meals during this workshop. All meals will include vegetarian offerings. Please provide information on the registration form if you require special meals.

What to expect

The Town of State College (population around 39,000), located right in the middle of Pennsylvania in Happy Valley, is called a quintessential college town, with quaint eateries and small shops in their downtown area. Pennsylvania State University is just blocks from downtown, within easy walking distance. The area around the university is know as University Park. State College has been ranked the lowest stress city in the United States by Psychology Today. Mount Nittany is a famous landmark, named for the mythical princess Nita-Nee of the Delaware tribe.

Early June should be temperate with some chance of precipitation; you can expect temperatures between 56 and 78 degrees. You might want to come prepared with an umbrella or rain coat.