(Download FAQs pdf)
What kind of housing is available?
HOUSING (for out-of-town folks)
We have reserved your rooms in one of the dormitories on campus. The dorm is set up with 4 separate bedrooms per suite. The 4 rooms in a suite share a common room and a bathroom. Rooms haven't been assigned yet, but as you requested we are going to try to keep teams in 1 or 2 suites depending upon the size of your team. We are also going to go ahead and do gender separation (even on gender mixed teams). It may be a complex, multi-factorial design!
The housing department says that bed linens and towels will be provided and laundered for you. They will also provide a pillow, a blanket, hangers and a drinking cup. That's about it, so we will make sure you have other things for use in the kitchen that will be available on your floor. They recommend that you bring an extra blanket if you get cold easily (the air conditioning works well!). There is also a lounge, kitchen with a refrigerator and stove and microwave, snack machine and ice machine on each floor. It's a pretty good set-up for on-campus housing, but don't expect marble countertops and down comforters!
How do I check in when I arrive?
CHECK-IN (for out-of-town folks)
We are providing you with a room starting on the day before the first class starts and you have to check in with us or the housing department staff to get access. You have to arrive before 5:00 p.m. on the Sunday before the first class to be easily checked in. PLEASE let us know if you are arriving after 5:00 p.m. that day. Once we have more details on the location of the check-in, we will let you know.
CHECK-IN (for local folks)
You do not have to check in on the first day before class since you aren't staying in the dormitories. Just come to class on the first day(see below for a schedule).
Do I get reimbursed for travel expenses?
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENTS (for out-of-town folks)
You will make your own travel arrangements (remember to arrive before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the first class). We can reimburse you for the following travel expenses, UP TO A TOTAL OF $300 (if you exceed that amount, then you will have to make other payment arrangements). Whatever you want reimbursed from us (up to the $300) must be shown on some type of receipt as explained below:
- Airline tickets (a copy of the airline receipt showing amount will be needed)
- Bus tickets (a copy of the receipt showing amount will be needed)
- Personal car (a printout from a website like MapQuest will be needed to show mileage which will be reimbursed at the University's rate, which is currently 44.5 cents per mile; gasoline receipts would also be helpful).
- Transportation from the airport (a taxicab receipt or a ticket stub from a bus or the light rail system). We recommend that you take a taxi from the airport which will cost very roughly $25, but it is the easiest way to get to the dormitory with all of your luggage. Our public transportation system is good, but not extensive.
- Bicycle (the weight loss should be reimbursement enough!)
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENTS (for local folks)
We will not be reimbursing local participants for expenses getting to and from their homes and campus. However, if we take a field trip during class and you volunteer to take others with you, then we will reimburse you for the mileage to and from campus and the field trip site at the University's rate, which is currently 44.5 cents per mile)
What about parking if I drive my own car?
PARKING (for anyone who is driving)
We will send you a parking sticker for the first night and first day (Sunday and Monday) if you are from out of town. For local folks we will send you a parking sticker for the first day (you won't need one for Sunday night). Then it will be each person's own responsibility to obtain the remaining parking stickers they will need while here. The cost is pretty high at $5/day. We will help you purchase these on the first day of class. PLEASE let us know if you are driving so we can send you the appropriate parking stickers.
How do I register for class?
REGISTRATION (for everyone)
Once you are fully accepted by the graduate school we will be sending you a registration form to get you officially enrolled in the classes for this summer. At that time we will also be asking you for a picture that we will use to get you an ID badge. More on that later.
What is the class schedule like?
CLASSES (for everyone)
The classes will be full University graduate school classes, but they will be compacted into the three weeks you are here. Each class will be worth 2 credit hours (a total of 6 hours will be earned this summer). Typically you should expect to work for a couple of hours per night on each class, we may be able to finish our work during the day, but I don't want anyone to be surprised by homework. We won't have classes on the weekends, so you can go back home if you want, but remember that there may be homework on the weekends as well.
We will start class at 9:30 most days (isn't that luxurious?). We have to do this because the breakfast venue doesn't open until 8:30. Then we will have lunch around noon (usually for about an hour) and end the class around 5:00. These times are somewhat approximate since we will also be taking field trips about 1/3 of the time.
Do I need any special clothing?
CLOTHING (for out-of-town folks)
Pack whatever you need for a 3 week stay (unless you plan on going home on the weekends). The dormitory has laundry facilities. You should know that during July the weather in St. Louis is often very hot and humid. The dormitories have air conditioning as do the classrooms. Contact Mark Kalk if you have clothing questions.
CLOTHING (for everyone)
During the second week we will be taking 4 field trips to an outdoor biological research park owned by the University. Our classes for those days will be held partly outdoors and there will be some hiking (light hiking of a mile or less, but in hot/humid weather). While this will actually be a fun few days, we will need for you to wear clothing that is light, but protective against ticks. This includes sturdy shoes, long socks, hats, LONG pants and long-sleeved shirts. It would also be a good idea to bring your favorite sunblock lotion. We will provide various flea/tick sprays. You can also bring along something to change into once we leave the field and go into a classroom. Trust me, it really is fun, so don't be alarmed. Contact Mark Kalk if you have clothing concerns.
Should I bring a computer or cell phone?
COMPUTERS & PHONES (for everyone)
It would be really good if you could bring a laptop computer with you (or at least one computer per team). The dormitories and many places on campus have web access. In the dormitories they do NOT have wireless, so bring an ethernet cable. We will work on getting you usernames. There are many cell phone towers around town (including at the field trip sites). Each suite in the dormitory has the same number and I believe the phone is in the suite's common room.
Can I use the gym, library or pool?
GYM, LIBRARY, POOL (for everyone)
We are working on getting you access to these campus facilities.
What is St. Louis like?
TOURIST STUFF & MAPS (for everyone)
We are working on getting information about this to you. In the meantime look at these websites:
- Wash U campus map: http://tour.wustl.edu/campusmap.pdf
You are staying in Nemerov Hall and most of the classes will be in Rebstock Hall.
- Wash U main homepage: http://www.wustl.edu/
- Public transportation: http://www.metrostlouis.org/
- Campus shuttle buses: http://parking.wustl.edu/around.htm
- St. Louis attractions: http://www.explorestlouis.com/
What if I have special needs?
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you have special health needs or reasons that would compromise your participation, please let us know prior to your arrival. The Washington University campus has a large international student body, so a wide variety of foods are usually available and vegetarian needs are accommodated.
Other questions and concerns?
Direct other questions or concerns to:
Mark Kalk, Program Faculty
Washington University Science Outreach
mrkalk@wustl.edu
