Information for ICE 2009 Participants
There are several logistical details that will need your attention.
Please look through the checklist below to make sure you have taken the
necessary steps to ensure your efficient arrival and participation in
the ICE 2009 program.
- Location
- Transportation
- By air: Participants can get to the University of Chicago from either O'Hare International Airport or Midway Airport. Public transportation is available from both of these airports to downtown Chicago, and from downtown Chicago to Hyde Park. Alternatively, there are shuttle services available from each airport to campus.
More information may be found HERE.
- NOTE: you may purchase discounted shuttle tickets for your return trip to the airport for $13 to Midway and $20 to O'Hare. These discounted tickets are available at the ID and Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library (map; hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday and 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday). More information may be found HERE.
- By car: Directions to campus can be found HERE. Please be advised that parking can be difficult to find at the University of Chicago, so a car is not recommended or necessary (as there is very good public transportation to downtown, and all ICE locations are within easy walking distance of each other).
- Within Hyde Park: the CTA runs a bus service on campus; more information is HERE. There is also a late night van service (see the same link). You may purchase a CTA pass at the ID and Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library (map; hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday and 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday).
- Visas
- Participants coming from countries other than the United States will have to obtain a proper visa for entry. Participants may obtain J-1 or B-1/B-2 visas, or may be eligible for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. To apply for a J-1 visa, review the information on the University of Chicago's program here. The U.S. State Department's website is HERE.
- NOTE: If you are at a university outside the US, you need to remember that the US does not have a national health insurance system. That means if you get ill or hurt, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL EXPENSES. Therefore, you should acquire traveler's insurance that covers your time in the US. Also, be sure to bring plenty of documentation proving you are covered. Details of the requirements for J-1 visa holders may be found here.
- Accomodations
- Participants will be staying at the International House on the campus of the University of Chicago. There will be no charge to participants for these accomodations. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, so you may check in late with no trouble. The number for the front desk is (773) 753-2270.
- Rooms are all singles, but you will be sharing a (single-sex) bathroom, so you may want to bring shower sandals/slippers and a bath robe.
- International House is a 100% smoke-free environment. A $250 Room Recovery fee will be charged for smoking in your room. Smoking is also prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance to the building and in the courtyard.
- Rooms are reserved for ICE participants from 3:00pm on Sunday, August 2 - 12:00pm Saturday, August 15. If you need additional nights, they will cost you $53.00. Please contact International House directly at (773) 753-2270. If you do reserve additional nights, please remind the person who checks you in so that they can ensure that you can keep the same room for the duration of your stay.
- If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Alison Baulos.
- Items to bring
- In addition to a bathrobe and shower footwear, you might also want to bring (or buy) the following:
- Laundry detergent (International House has washing machines and dryers that operate on cards that they will sell to you).
- A small fan (International House is not air-conditioned, although some rooms have ceiling fans). ACE Hardware in the Hyde Park Shopping Center (55th Street and Lake Park Avenue) should have fans, and they might also be available at Walgreens, in the same shopping center.
- Working/Relaxing
- The University of Chicago has wireless internet access throughout the campus. Alison will provide you with a list of passwords for the network when you arrive. This service will allow you to work anywhere on the campus you find a comfortable spot. In addition to the lobby of the International House, here are a few options to try:
- Booth School of Business: The building is open from 8:00am - 5:30pm, Monday - Friday. If you stay in the building after classes have ended, you may stay there until 10:00pm, but you cannot re-enter if you leave in the evening. The building is closed on weekends.
- Starbucks: 1174 East 55th Street.
- Istria Cafe: 57th Street Metra Station.
- Bon Jour Bakery: 1550-1552 East 55th Street (in the Hyde Park Shopping Center)
- Regenstein Library: 1100 E. 57th Street. You may get a day pass to the library by visiting the ID and Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library (map; hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday and 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday). More information may be found HERE (under Students Outside the Chicago Area).
- Printing: Computer labs, one equipped with PC compatibles and the other with Macintosh computers, are located on the basement level of International House. Both labs are equipped with laser printers. All of the computers are linked to the campus network. Your security key will give you access to these.
- Meals
- Participants will need to provide their own meals, except for conference dinners on Tuesday, August 4 and Friday, August 14.
- There are many dining options on campus, including a full-service dining hall in the Booth School of Business (open 7:00am - 3:00pm Monday-Friday). You may find a list of the University's cafes (or "coffee houses") HERE.
- On the main floor of the International House, the Sugar Plum Cafe is open from 8:00am - 3:00pm on weekdays and 8:00am - 1:00pm on weekends.
- Hyde Park has a wealth of restaurants, most located on 57th Street, just east of Woodlawn Avenue, on 55th Street, east of the railroad tracks, and 53rd street, from Woodlawn Avenue to the lake shore. More information on area restaurants can be found HERE. The best places for breakfast are the Medici (1327 East 57th Street), the Medici Bakery (1331 East 57th Street) or Salonica (1440 East 57th Street).
- There is a small number of bars/pubs in Hyde Park:
- 7-10 Lanes (1055 E. 55th Street, 773-347-2695): bowling, billiards (pool). Bowling costs $16 per lane Sun-Thur and $2 for shoes; $20 Fri and Sat. and $3 for shoes. Billiards is $12 per table. Fridays and Saturdays are age 21 and over after 9pm.
- Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap (1172 E. 55th Street; 773-643-5516): Neighborhood pub with a large beer selection and some food offerings.
- The Pub (Ida Noyes Hall basement, 1212 E. 59th Street): Good selection of beer, some pub fare (fish and chips, spicy chicken wings, etc.). Guests will have to pay $1 at the door. Open Mon-Thur 4:30pm - 1:00am and Fri-Sat 4:00pm - 2:00am.
- Getting around Chicago
- Public transportation is available between Hyde Park and downtown Chicago and all over the city itself. To get from the campus to downtown, you may take either the Metra Rail train or a CTA bus (click here for a range of options). You will need exact change or a pass for the CTA bus. CTA passes may be purchased at CTA stations or at the ID and Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library (map; hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday and 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday). More information may be found HERE.
- Once you are downtown, you can take busses or the elevated trains (El's) to other parts of the city.
- Chicago Attractions
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