Bridging STEM Excellence Planning Meeting Logistics

January 10-11, 2019

For URGENT issues call Lisa Nirva cell - call or text - 952-594-1742

Meeting timing | Travel | Accommodations | Meals | Location

Planning Meeting Timing

Meetings will be at Carleton College January 10, 2019, 9am-5pm and Friday, January 11, 2019, 9am to 2-3:00pm. Please complete the the Travel Form by December 15, 2018.

Travel

This meeting is self-funded and participants are responsible for their accommodations and travel to and from the planning meeting. Maps and directions to Carleton College are available on the Carleton College website. Please complete the Travel Form as soon as you have your travel booked but no later than December 15, 2018 so that we can arrange airport shuttle service.

Travel by Air

Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport is the closest airport to Northfield. We recommend arriving on January 9th and departing on January 11th. Travel to and from the airport takes approximately 45 minutes. It is relatively uncommon for flights to be cancelled due to weather. If this does happen, please email me directly with new arrival information at lnirva@carleton.edu.

Airport shuttles

Ground transportation to and from the airport will be arranged for you based on your arrival and departure times if you provide us with that information in advance, via the Travel Form. We will provide you with estimated shuttle pick-up times. The shared shuttle service will be aware of your scheduled arrival time and will have your cell phone number.

For Terminal ONE: To meet the shuttle, please proceed to the Baggage Claim area, as you will walk out of the airport building Terminal 1, DOOR 4, to meet the First Choice Shuttle car/van from the baggage claim area. They will not have any markings on their vehicle so they can come up to the curb. They will be awaiting your call! When you call, they will confirm your pickup time and the color/type of vehicle you should watch for. First Choice Shuttle: Ron - 507-339-1651, Angela - 612-298-7114.

For Terminal TWO: Shuttle pick up is at Door #8, all the way down at the end of the terminal. Meet outside of Baggage Claim at door #8.

We understand how unpredictable air travel can be, so don't be alarmed if your flight is early or delayed. Just let First Choice Shuttle (507-339-1651) know of your new arrival time, as soon as possible.

Travel by Rail

There are Amtrak routes that serve the Minneapolis-St Paul region.

Travel by Car

Directions from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Northfield

  • I-35W South to Highway 19 East (exit 69, Northfield exit).
  • Drive east on Highway 19, 11 miles to Northfield.
  • At the first stop light (where Highway 19 merges with Highway 3), turn left.
  • Farifield Inn is located on the corner of 2nd Street and Highway 3.
  • Turn right on 2nd Street and an immediate left into the Fairfield parking lot.

If you are driving north to Northfield, the directions from I-35 are the same. Just watch for exit 69 from the other direction.

Accommodations

A hotel block has been reserved at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Northfield 114 2nd Street West, Northfield, MN 55057 and is available until December 15, 2018 (the room block will be released after this date). There is a 48 hour cancelation policy.

To make your reservations, call 507-366-5000 and tell them you are part of a group from Carleton College/SERC using code "BSER" because they are holding a large number of rooms for us. If you don't tell them you don't use the "BSE" code, they will tell you they are full. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning.

It's about a four-block walk to the meeting space from the hotel and downtown is about 2 blocks from the hotel. Please let us know if you have any concerns about accommodations or mobility. If you need other arrangements, please include that information on your registration form.

Campus Map

Less expensive accommodations are available at Country Inn and Suites and Archer House both are within walking distance from the Carleton campus and meeting rooms.

Communications

The Fairfield Inn offers free wireless internet access throughout their building. Internet access will also be available in the workshop meeting rooms at Carleton. Cellular reception is good throughout the region. You will have a telephone in your room at the Fairfield Inn and messages can be left at the hotel desk: 507-366-5000.

Transport while in Northfield
While you are here in Northfield rest assured that should we have frigid weather we will provide shuttles between your hotel and the meeting space. The Fairfield Inn, Country Inn and the Archer House are a short 5-10 minutes walk to Carleton campus but if temperatures are very low (below zero is possible) we will make sure you get from place to place without freezing.

Meals

The Fairfield Inn will serve breakfast each morning for those staying at the hotel. We will plan to have dinner together on Wednesday January 9th for those who have arrived in time, and again on Thursday, January 10th at 6-8pm. Please note your dietary restrictions on the Travel Form.

Northfield, MN

Northfield is a small town about 40 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota's weather in January is highly variable, but most often is cold and snowy. Please check the weather close to the meeting to prepare for snow, rain, or sun!

For more information:

Lisa Nirva (SERC staff): lnirva@carleton.edu, 507-222-4368