General Information for the USPAS sponsored by the University of Maryland, College Park
Held in Annapolis, Maryland, USA – June 2008
Most classes will be conducted at the Doubletree Hotel Annapolis (210 Holiday Ct., Annapolis Maryland 21401, (www.annapolis.doubletree.com) beginning Monday, June 16 through noon on Friday, June 27, 2008. Most classes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at the discretion of the instructor. Classes ending on Friday, June 20 will finish at 12:00 (noon); classes ending on Friday, June 27 will finish at 12:00 (noon).
“Beam Dynamics Experiments on the University of Maryland Electron Ring” students: this class will be held on-campus. The University of Maryland Electron Ring (UMER) is a world-class research facility in beam and accelerator physics at the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, on the University of Maryland, College Park campus. Each weekday a bus will take you to campus and will return you to the hotel when class is over. Please be aware that depending on traffic, this commute could take up to one hour in each direction. There are several places open on campus where you may purchase lunch. Please note that there will be no provisions made for anyone who misses the bus.
If you are AUDITING your course: If you are auditing your course(s), you will not enroll at the University of Maryland (UM) and will not earn a grade. You are not required to complete homework assignments nor take any exams. Please complete an Audit/Credit Form and return it to the USPAS Office along with payment no later than May 15, 2008.
If you are taking your course for University of Maryland CREDIT: If you are taking your course(s) for credit, you will enroll at UM and will fully participate in class to earn a grade. You are expected to complete homework and take exams as well as participate in classroom discussions. AT UM, students may earn credit for a one-week course. If you successfully pass two weeks of class, you will earn 3 UM credits. If you successfully pass a one-week course you will earn 1.5 UM credits. Please complete a University of Maryland enrollment form and return it to the USPAS Office along with payment (if applicable) no later than May 15, 2008.
Academic Status: Students taking a two-week class or a one-week class the first week must make final confirmation of their choice to take their course for credit or audit on or before Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Students taking a separate class week two must make final confirmation of the choice to take the course for credit or audit on or before Tuesday, June 24, 2008. Official transcripts will be maintained by the University of Maryland. Students receiving financial support from the USPAS must enroll for university credit. Foreign nationals receiving financial support from the USPAS may not enroll for credit, but they must participate fully in all aspects of their session and must take the program seriously.
International Students: This USPAS program is open to participation by both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. The program is an intense learning experience sponsored by the University Maryland from June 16-27, 2008 only. Because this program is not a course of full-time study, neither UM nor can the USPAS issue documents to apply for a student visa. International participants not currently residing in the United States may attend the program and may request financial sponsorship, but they may not earn credit from UM. Foreign nationals receiving financial support from the USPAS must participate fully in all aspects of their session.
Because international participants not currently residing in the United States cannot take their course for credit, they will not receive a transcript from the University of Maryland. However, after the program is over the USPAS will send a letter confirming your participation. Please sign the USPAS Foreign Student Registration Form and return it to the USPAS Office. If you are not receiving financial support from the USPAS, please also pay the Registration Fee at this time.
USPAS Registration/Check-in: will be held on Sunday June 15, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Annapolis (210 Holiday Ct., Annapolis, Maryland 21401, phone 410-224-3150 (www.annapolis.doubletree.com) with dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The USPAS Director will give a talk at 7:00 p.m. If you do not register with the USPAS on Sunday night, you must register on Monday morning, June 16 in the USPAS Office at the hotel. If you arrive after registration hours Sunday night, please check the hotel information boards to locate the breakfast room. Breakfast will be served daily from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. If you are scheduled to arrive for classes the second week only (June 23-27), information will be provided so that you know when and where meals will be served, what your classroom assignment is, and to remind you to check-in with the USPAS staff Monday morning of the second program week. The USPAS Office will be open weekdays beginning Monday, June 16 during normal business hours.
Accomodations: A block of rooms has been reserved for USPAS participants at the Doubletree Hotel Annapolis (www.annapolis.doubletree.com) at a rate of $123.00 for a single room per night (+ 13%) tax or $61.50 per person for a double room per night (+ 13% tax). The same room rates for dates 3 days before and 3 days following the program are offered based on hotel availability. The Doubletree Hotel Annapolis is ideally located minutes from some of the greatest attractions Annapolis, Maryland has to offer. The US Naval Academy, Maryland State Capital and the historic waterfront district are just three short miles away. The hotel is within easy reach of the Westfield Mall, Festival Plaza, Annapolis Harbour Center, and several of the area's finest golf courses. The beautiful Towne Center at Parole is within walking distance of the hotel offering great shopping and dining opportunities. The Doubletree Hotel Annapolis is conveniently located between Baltimore and Washington D.C. with easy access to Route 50. Baltimore Washington International airport is just 20 miles away. The check-in time at the Doubletree Annapolis is 4 p.m. and the check-out time is 11 a.m.
All USPAS participants must make their hotel room reservation by completing a Housing Reservation Form. Return that form to Complete Conference Coordinators with the required deposit (as directed on the form). All reservations require a one-night deposit. No charge will be made to your credit card unless you fail to cancel your reservation as directed on the form, i.e., 48 hrs. in advance of your scheduled arrival. If your deposit is made by check, it will be credited to your stay or it will be refunded if cancellation is made before the deadline.
If your accommodations are being paid for by the USPAS you must also complete a Housing Reservation Form. A guarantee by credit card or by a check in US dollars is required to make a reservation; this is only a guarantee. After your arrival, the room charges for your shared accommodation will be paid directly by the USPAS and your deposit (if made by check) will be returned to you. If your guarantee is made by credit card and you arrive as scheduled, no room charges will be put on your card. You will not be charged in the event your plans change or if you cancel your reservation at least 48 hrs. in advance of your scheduled arrival. It is important that you modify the form if your travel plans do not match the form; note that some date changes may make you responsible for payment, e.g., if you arrive earlier than or stay later than School dates. Also, if you are scheduled to have a roommate and one does not appear, notify the USPAS Office the following morning so that your room can be reassigned if necessary. Otherwise you may be responsible for room charges. Supported students are also advised that the hotel will require a credit card or a cash deposit upon arrival to guarantee payment of any personal charges to your room which are not included in USPAS financial support; these charges would include telephone calls, room service, restaurant charges, in-room movies, etc.
Rooms include a hair dryer, a coffeemaker (with free coffee), iron with ironing board, and a clock radio/alarm. There will be free wireless high speed Internet access in the classrooms, sleeping rooms and hotel common areas. The Hotel is offering the following to all USPAS participants: a $25.00 per week credit with their laundry/dry cleaning service (see Laundry Price List). The Doubletree has a fitness center and an outdoor pool. Hotel parking is free. Please be aware that the hotel may impose access and service charges in addition to time charges for phone calls (even for credit card or 800-number calls) so it is wise to confirm applicable charges from your sleeping room before making phone calls. The hotel owns a complimentary shuttle van that will take guests to any location within 5 miles of the hotel.
Transportation:
The closest airport is the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. It is 18 miles (approx. 25 minutes) from the hotel. The charge for the Super Shuttle is $38 per person each way. A taxi is usually $65 per person each way.
You can also fly into Reagan National Airport. It is 30 miles (approx. 45 minutes) from the hotel. A taxi is usually about $100 per person each way.
You can also use Dulles Airport. It is 45 miles (approx 75 minutes) from the hotel.
Driving Directions:
From South and Washington DC: Take Route 50 East to Exit 22, Riva Rd. Follow signs to Riva Rd. and make left at light onto Riva Rd. Second light, left onto Holiday Court.
From North: Take I-95 to I-695 West . Exit onto I-97 South, continue on Route 50 East to Exit 22-Riva Rd. Follow signs to Riva Rd. and make left at light onto Riva Rd. Second light, left onto Holiday Court.
From East: Take Route 50 West across the Bay Bridge. Continue on Route 50 to Exit 22, Riva Rd. exit. Follow signs to Riva Rd. and make a left at light onto Riva Rd. Second light, left onto Holiday Court.
From West: Take I-70 East to I-695 South, Exit onto I-97 South, continue to Route 50 East to Exit 22 Riva Rd. Follow signs to Riva Rd. and make a left at light onto Riva Rd. Second left onto Holiday Court.
Food: Breakfasts from June 16-27 and dinners from June 15-26 are provided by the USPAS. Participants are on their own for lunch. Meal tickets may be purchased for an accompanying person; please contact the USPAS Office.
Study Room: Study is scheduled at the Hotel every evening from 7 p.m. to midnight (including the weekend).
Computer Lab and Internet Access: The USPAS will provide a Computer Lab with wireless Internet access for classroom, homework and email purposes. Participants are free to use the PCs in the Computer Lab when the room is not scheduled for class. Some of the courses will have their own computers in their classroom. Wireless Internet access is complimentary in your sleeping room, the classrooms and the hotel common areas.
Weather: Temperatures in Annapolis during the month of June average highs of 88F/28C to lows of 67F/17C.