Logistics and Transportation

The workshop will begin at 5:00 PM Wednesday June 26, 3013 with a reception and dinner. Please make your plans so that you will be able to attend this opening session. The workshop will conclude around mid-day on Friday June 28. It is essential that you attend the full workshop and all sessions.

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.

The University Park Airport (SCE) is located five miles from campus. This is a regional airport and is served by Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. Flights to and from SCE connect through Detroit, Philadelphia or Washington-Dulles. More flight information

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, 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. The Nittany Lion Inn offers a complimentary shuttle service from 6 AM to 11 PM. Shuttles must be reserved in advance, which can be done from the hotel website. Rental car service is available at both airports. Taxi service is available from the University Park Airport to the Nittany Lion 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 Nittany Lion Inn is on the Penn State campus. Complete driving directions to the workshop venue.

Lodging

Double occupancy room reservations have been made for everyone attending the workshop at the Nittany Lion Inn, arriving Wednesday, June 26 and departing Friday, June 28. The InTeGrate grant will cover hotel costs for double occupancy rooms for the nights of June 26 and 27. Please indicate if you have a roommate preference on your registration form; otherwise one will be assigned to you.

A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available, with the understanding that you will be responsible for the additional cost ($60 per night, which will be paid through the payment page). If you wish to stay in a single room, please indicate your choice on the registration form then submit payment for the upgrade. Because there is a limited number of single-occupancy rooms, these will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations will be based on information submitted on your registration form; please do not make your own reservations.

The hotel is located on the Penn State campus and the workshop sessions and meals will be served at the hotel. Please let us know if you have any concerns about accommodations or mobility. 

If you need other arrangements, please contact Krista at the SERC office or include information on your registration form.

Parking

Complimentary parking is available at the hotel.

Communications

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

The hotel rooms and workshop meeting rooms all have free wireless 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.

Expenses

There is no registration fee to attend this workshop, and the project grant (NSF DUE - 112533) covers double occupancy participant lodging, meals and supplies during the workshop. Participants or their institutions will need to cover the cost of travel to and from the workshop location. Workshop stipends are available to help defray travel expenses in cases of financial need. The deadline to apply for a travel stipend is February 22, 2013. Late applications will not be considered. 

Withdrawal from Workshop

If you register for the workshop and then withdraw after May 26, 2013, the hotel will charge a full night's stay. In the event that you must withdraw from the workshop after this date, we will have to ask you to reimburse the project for this cost.

Meals

Meals and break foods will be catered by the Nittany Lion Inn. 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.