Logistics and Transportation
This workshop has already taken place.
The workshop will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12th with a reception and dinner. Please make your plans so that you will be able to attend this opening session. We will conclude after dinner on Saturday, April 14th. It is essential that you attend the full workshop including the full day on Saturday.
Travel by Air
It will be most convenient for air travelers to fly into the Hartford Connecticut's Bradley (BDL) airport. It will take approximately 1 hour to travel from the Bradley airport to Amherst by ground transportation. Flights in to Bradley should arrive by 2:30 p.m. on April 12th.
Alternatively air travelers can fly into Boston Logan (BOS) airport. It will take approximately 2 hours to travel from the Logan airport to Amherst by ground transportation. Flights into Logan should arrive by 1:30 p.m. on April 12th.
Return flights can be scheduled anytime on April 15th.
Participants should arrange their own ground transportation. Valley Transporter provides shuttle services to and from both Bradley and Logan airports. This shuttle service will drop you off and pick you up at the workshop hotel.
Travel by Car to University of Massachusetts Amherst
From I-90 (Mass Pike), take exit 4 (West Springfield). Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). UMass exit is 1 mile.
After taking the UMass exit, you will merge onto a main road leading into UMass (eventually called Massachusetts Avenue). Proceed past a blinking traffic light and go up a small hill. Then, turn left at the next traffic light (all within 100s of meters, not kilometers). Follow the signs to the University parking garage.
Parking is available on campus and at Howard Johnson's. If you park at Howard Johnson's you may board the shuttle bus to campus. You will need a parking pass if you plan to park on campus. Please make a note in the "disability, food allergy, or preference" section of the registration form if you would like us to provide a campus parking pass.
Transport from Hotel to Meeting Location
There will be a free shuttle for workshop participants at the following times:
Note that the bus driver will not have a list of people. Therefore, he will depart at the scheduled time, regardless of the number of people on the bus.
Thursday, April 12 - 4:25 PM pickup at the Howard Johnson's, transport to the Campus Center Circle
Thursday, April 12 - 9:10 PM pickup at the Campus Center Circle, transport to the Howard Johnson's
Friday, April 13 - 7:15 AM pickup at the Howard Johnson's, transport to the Campus Center Circle
Saturday, April 14 - 7:15 AM pickup at the Howard Johnson's, transport to the Campus Center Circle
The pick-up/drop-off point on campus is the Campus Center Circle. Go up the steps and enter the building through front door of the hotel. Take the lobby elevators to the appropriate floor. Go to the 10th floor on Thursday and the 9th floor on Friday and Saturday.
For returning to the hotel Friday and Saturday evenings after dinner, participants may use the free 5-College bus system.
Lodging
Room reservations have been made for everyone attending the workshop at the Howard Johnson Express Inn. Each participant will have a private room with a phone and free wireless internet access. The Valley Transporter airport shuttle can drop you off and pick you up at the Inn. If you are driving we recommend doing a Google driving direction search on Howard Johnson Express Inn located at: 401 Russell (the corner of Rt116 and Rt9), Hadley, MA, 01035.
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.
During the workshop you will have a telephone in your room at the Inn and messages can be left at the hotel desk - 413-586-0114. The Inn also offers free wireless Internet access. Internet access will also be available in the workshop meeting rooms.
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. Internet access will be available in the workshop meeting rooms on the university campus.
Meals
A complimentary continental breakfast will be served each day at the Inn. Other meals will be served on campus or in local restaurants. All meals will include vegetarian offerings. Please provide information on the registration form if you require special meals. The price of all meals and gratuities during the workshop is covered. However, the NSF grant does not cover alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase during some meal-times.
What to expect
The Town of Amherst (population 35,000), located in the lovely Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational and cultural opportunities. The Town enjoys a tradition of open professional government, a high level of government services, quality education, support for open space and agriculture and respect for its history.
April will still be cool here; you can expect temperatures between +34 and +58 degrees. There is a free campus shuttle bus that will run between the inn and campus. Please let us know when you register if you have any concerns about accommodations or mobility.
The Howard Johnson Express Inn will serve continental breakfast each morning. The Inn has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, free parking, and a complimentary USA today weekly paper.