NEASECS Membership
In order to participate in the conference, you must be an active member of NEASECS. To establish or renew your membership, visit http://www.neasecs.org/join.html. You must do this prior to registering for the annual conference.


Conference Registration
The conference registration fee is $150.00. Registration for graduate students is $100.00. The registration fee includes: an opening reception on Thursday, October 20; the conference banquet on Friday, October 21; a reception and complimentary tickets to a performance of The Misanthrope on Saturday, October 22; continental breakfasts on Friday and Saturday; refreshments throughout the conference. Registration does not include lodging.

To register, click the Register Now button above.


Hotel UMass
A block of rooms is reserved for participants at Hotel UMass, the conference site, at a conference rate of $149.00 per night (plus applicable fees) for the nights of October 20 - 22. Please contact the hotel directly at 877-822-2110 or www.hotelumass.com and reference Group Code 18THC to complete a reservation. The number of rooms is limited, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible. To be close to all conference activities, we strongly recommend attendees stay at Hotel UMass during their visit. Note: attendees wishing to check-in prior to October 20 or check-out later than October 23 should complete their reservation by phone to ensure the group rate is applied correctly.

Rated the best hotel in Amherst, and seated in the center of the picturesque UMass Amherst campus, Hotel UMass blends a tranquil countryside escape with the bustling energy of campus life, making it your ideal destination when stay in the area. During your stay at Hotel UMass, you will have access to the distinctive cultural atmosphere of one of the nation's top universities, while remaining only minutes to historic downtown Amherst, allowing you to discover the magic of the Pioneer Valley. The breathtaking views from your guestroom alone will allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of scenic New England. 


Please direct any questions to the Program Committee Chair, Joseph Bartolomeo (bartolomeo@hfa.umass.edu).

Edna Steeves Prize
for Best Graduate Student Paper

The Edna Steeves Prize is an award of $300.00 for the best paper delivered by a graduate student at the Annual Meeting. This prize, established in 1994, honors the memory of the late Edna L. Steeves of the English Department at the University of Rhode Island, a founding member who served as Secretary-Treasurer of NEASECS from 1989 until her death in 1995. The Winner of the prize is selected by an interdisciplinary committee appointed by the President of NEASECS. Papers must be submitted no later than the end of the conference.


John H. O'Neill Bursaries

The John H. O'Neill Bursaries are awards of up to $300.00 to graduate students to assist them with the cost of travel to the Annual Meeting. In 2002 the Society voted to name these bursaries in honor of John H. O'Neill of the English Department of Hamilton College, who has served as editor of the NEASECS Newsletter since 1989. Up to six awards per year may be made. The chairs of the Annual Meeting decide to whom the awards are made. Graduate students who are presenting papers at the Annual Meeting and wish to apply for John H. O'Neill Bursaries should send their inquiries to Prof. Joseph Bartolomeo at bartolomeo@hfa.umass.edu.

Conference Location
The conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center. The Campus Center is located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003


Parking
Discounted $6.00/day parking is available for all commuting attendees at the Campus Center Parking Garage. For GPS purposes, the garage is located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA, 01003. Campus Center Way is off of Commonwealth Avenue, across the street from the Mullins Center. After turning onto Campus Center Way, proceed to the left to go up the hill and enter the garage. After taking an entry ticket proceed down to Level 2 of the garage, following signs to the Hotel/Concourse entrance, and enter the Campus Center using the marked walkway near the Parking Services office. Once you enter the Campus Center, follow the signs directing you to the registration table. At registration you will be provided with your conference materials and a discounted parking coupon for the Campus Center Parking Garage. The first time you drive out of the garage you will pay the attendant at the exit the full balance due for your stay. The attendant will then return your coupon with a receipt, which will allow you to exit for the rest of your stay without paying any additional fees.

Note: those staying at Hotel UMass will be provided with complimentary parking to the Campus Center Parking Garage at hotel check-in, located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center.

Accessible Parking
Attendees with a valid state-issued reserved accessible license plate or placard may park in any marked Handicap Space or any nonrestricted, nonreserved space or lot, at no charge, as long as your plate or placard is clearly displayed at all times during your stay. To locate reserved accessible parking, visit the  UMass Parking Map, select the blue parking icon on the right, and click the "Handicapped Parking" option.

Click here to view an interactive parking guide of campus. Click here to view a map highlighting the route to the Campus Center Parking Garage.


Driving to Campus
From the North: From I-91 South, take exit 25 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From the East: Take Route 2 West to Exit 16 (Belchertown/Amherst). From Route 2 take Route 202 South for about 15 miles to a blinking yellow light at Amherst Road. You will see signs "to Route 9/Route 116". Turn right and follow Amherst Road (which becomes Pelham Road) for 7 miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

From the South: From I-91 North, take Exit 19 in Northampton. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Take the UMass exit in 1 mile.

From the West: Take Route 2 East to the Greenfield/I-91 exit. Take I-91 South to Exit 25, Deerfield. At the end of the ramp turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From I-90 (Mass Pike): Take Exit 4 (West Springfield). Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). The UMass exit is 1 mile up.


Traveling by Plane
If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (right outside of Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles south of the UMass campus. Oftentimes visitors find more flight options to Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. Logan is approximately 90 miles east of the UMass campus, so if you book a flight to Logan please allow for extra travel time to UMass. Both airports feature car rental agencies and a variety of shuttle services, including Valley Transporter (413-253-1350), Seemo Shuttle (413-586-1120), Exclusive Car Service (877-695-4665), Bluebird Transportation (413-221-4512), and Michael's Limousine & Transportation Service.


Traveling by Bus
The Amherst area is serviced by Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus LinesMegabus and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). For Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Megabus, we recommend using "Amherst UMass, MA" as your destination. The Amherst UMass stop will bring you right to Haigis Mall, located on the UMass Campus. From here, the Campus Center is about a 10 minute walk. For PVTA buses, we recommend taking a look at the various routes and schedules available on the PVTA website. You may also want to use the PVTA Google Trip PlannerWhere's My Bus?, or PVTA Bus Tracker App to help you plan the best route for you.


Traveling by Train
Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination. 

If you take a train to Northampton, MA, you should then take a bus or taxi to the UMass campus. Both PVTA and Peter Pan buses service the area, but the bus stops are not located at the train platform, so you may want to use one of the many local taxi services. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip, including bus or taxi services, prior to your arrival: the Northampton train platform is not a train station and phone access, area maps, bus schedules, and bus tickets will not be available once you arrive.

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from the Springfield station building to UMass. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. 

Hotel UMass
A block of rooms is reserved for participants at Hotel UMass, the conference site, at a conference rate of $149.00 per night (plus applicable fees). Please contact the hotel directly at 877-822-2110 or www.hotelumass.com, and reference Group Code 18THC. The number of rooms is limited, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible. To be close to all conference activities, we strongly recommend attendees stay at Hotel UMass during their visit. Note: attendees wishing to check-in prior to October 20 or check-out later than October 23 should complete their reservation by phone to ensure the group rate is applied correctly.

Rated the best hotel in Amherst, and seated in the center of the picturesque UMass Amherst campus, Hotel UMass blends a tranquil countryside escape with the bustling energy of campus life, making it your ideal destination when stay in the area. During your stay at Hotel UMass, you will have access to the distinctive cultural atmosphere of one of the nation's top universities, while remaining only minutes to historic downtown Amherst, allowing you to discover the magic of the Pioneer Valley. The breathtaking views from your guestroom alone will allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of scenic New England. 


Campus Dining
UMass Dining provides more than sustenance: we serve a variety of healthy and flavorful meals featuring local, regional and world cuisine in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner. Our program is founded upon four core values: health, world flavors, sustainability, and community. We source locally year-round, serve sustainable seafood, and employ a “small plate, big flavor philosophy,” all in the aim of supporting the New England Food System. We now offer SPE-certified dishes to ensure maximum nutrition and great taste - the first university in the nation to do so. 

Your registration fee includes an opening reception on Thursday, the conference banquet on Friday, a reception on Saturday, continental breakfasts on Friday and Saturday, and refreshments throughout the conference, all provided by UMass Catering. In addition to these meals, we invite participants to visit one of the many on-campus dining establishments open during your visit. 

Dietary Restrictions & Food Allergies
Attendees with dietary restrictions or food allergies should detail all dietary related needs on the online registration page. On the Attendee Information page you will see a clearly labeled box for this purpose. The Registration staff will communicate all needs to the UMass Catering staff and we will contact you in the event that we cannot accommodate your restriction.

Campus Center Eateries
The newly renovated Blue Wall, located in the Campus Center, is one of the most popular and convenient dining options on campus. The Blue Wall has 10 different stations served a-la-carte, including pizza, salads, wraps, deli sandwiches, sushi, burgers, burritos, gelato, and more. Harvest Market, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center, is a full service market serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious fare for our on the go customers. The hot bar features Indian, Ethiopian, traditional American, and many other world cuisines, and the salad bar is always stocked with in-season ingredients and freshly prepared composed salads. Additional highlights include a Chobani yogurt bar, all natural and organic snacks, local cheeses and deli meats, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, and a made-to-order juice and smoothie bar. Need a quick pick-me-up or caffeine fix? People's Organic Coffee, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center across from Harvest Market, serves People's Organic Fair Trade coffees, as well as a variety of specialty coffee beverages, organic teas, locally baked pastries, fresh cookies, salads and paninis.

Dining Commons
Served all-you-care-to-eat style, our 4 Dining Commons (Worcester, Franklin, Berkshire and Hampshire) will be open each day of the conference. Meal options often include sushi, a salad bar, pho noodles, pizza, deli sandwiches, create-your-own stir-fry, a pasta bar and a range of desserts and ice cream. Vegan, vegetarian and Halal options are available. Interested guests can pay by cash or card right at the door. Click here to learn more. 


University Club and Restaurant
The University Club and Restaurant, more fondly referred to as The UClub, is the eminent fine dining establishment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Housed in two colonial era New England farmhouses, the University Club and Restaurant offers a contemporary dining experience steeped in historic charm. Long established as a private faculty and alumni club, the University Club offers the public and campus community a full-service restaurant & lounge featuring local beer, wine, and farm-fresh ingredients. Call 413-545-2551 to make your reservation. 

Area Lodging
Registration does not include lodging so attendees must be sure to make their own arrangements. Discounted rooms are being held for attendees at Hotel UMass (Amherst, MA) and the Econo Lodge (Hadley, MA).

In the event that Hotel UMass fills (click the Campus Lodging and Dining tab to learn more), a discounted block is available at the Econo Lodge located at 329 Russell Street in Hadley, MA 01035. The Econo Lodge is a 5 - 7 minute drive to campus. To complete a reservation at the discounted group rate, please contact the Econo Lodge at 413-582-7077 and reference group code QR4QJ6. This discounted block will be held until September 29, 2016. Click here for more information.

There are a variety of additional chain hotels located a 5 - 10 minute drive from the UMass Campus in neighboring Hadley near the Econo Lodge, including the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Howard Johnson, and Courtyard by Marriott. Looking for something a little different? Amherst, Northampton, and the surrounding area are home to many lovely inns and bed & breakfasts, including the Black Walnut Inn and the Lord Jeffrey Inn, among others, all located within a 10-20 minute drive of campus. To help plan your visit, keep in mind that the University of Massachusetts campus is a 10-15 minute walk or 5-7 minute drive from the center of Amherst, and a 20-minute drive from the center of Northampton. Some popular lodging options are below, and a full listing is available here.

Allen House: 599 Main Street, Amherst MA 01002. 413-253-5000.
The Black Walnut Inn: 1184 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA. 413-549-5649. 
Comfort Inn: 237 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-7512.
Courtyard by Marriott
: 423 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-256-5454.
Econo-Lodge**: 329 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. Group Code: QR4QJ6
Emily's Amherst Bed & Breakfast: 71 North Prospect Street, Amherst MA 01002. 413-549-0733.
Hampton Inn
: 24 Bay Road, Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-4851.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
: 400 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-582-0002.
Hotel UMass*: 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. 877-822-2110. Group Code: 18THC
Howard Johnson: 401 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-0114.
The Lord Jeffery Inn: 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst MA 01002. 413-256-8200.
University Lodge: 345 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. 413-256-8111.


Area Attractions
Amherst is known for its rural charm and big city appeal. With many restaurants, bars and local shops, visitors get lost exploring our downtown. Located just a few minutes drive from the campus, it is a convenient and popular destination. 

The city of Northampton is a blend of historic, contemporary, intellectual, artsy, athletic and entrepreneurial. With cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, museums, rivers, parks and spas, Northampton is a place to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of budget.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and children. The museum’s mission is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books.

Skinner Mountain State Park offers 400 acres of forest on Mt. Holyoke, as well as the historic Mt. Holyoke Summit House. The park, located at the western end of the Holyoke Range, abutting the majestic Connecticut River, offers multiple hiking trails and breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley. The summit of Mt. Holyoke is accessible by walking the road or hiking along the trails year-round.

Yankee Candle, located about 20 minutes away in South Deerfield, offers an enchanting mix of shopping and entertainment. You'll find 400,000 candles in over 200 different famous Yankee scents, but there are more than just candles at this flagship Village Store. It's a unique, entertaining world of New England charm, fairy tale fantasies, and hands-on, interactive candlemaking that's fun for every age.

Historic Deerfield is an authentic 18th-century New England village. Tour beautifully restored museum houses with period architecture and furnishings, see yankee ingenuity at work in demonstrations of colonial-era trades, and explore the world-famous collection of early American crafts, ceramics, furniture, textiles and metalwork. 

The Children’s Museum at Holyoke provides a unique setting in which children and adults learn together about art, science, and the world around them. Through hands-on exhibits, children challenge themselves, discover how the world works, explore new roles for themselves, and learn by doing.

Home to more than three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history, the Basketball Hall of Fame stirs the spirits of basketball fans everywhere. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, shooting contests and enough basketball history to impress the world’s most avid sports fans. 

Six Flags New England is home to many rides and attractions, from pulse-pounding roller coasters to gentler options for the youngest of thrill seekers. With some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country (including a few record breakers), as well as family rides, kid rides, entertaining shows and the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, Six Flags New England has fun for everyone.

Want to learn about more things to do in the Pioneer Valley? Click here!

Questions? Contact Us!

For questions regarding the program please contact the Program Committee Chair:
Joseph Bartolomeo 
Email: 
bartolomeo@hfa.umass.edu

For questions regarding registration or payment please contact the UMass Registration Office:
Email:  registration@umass.edu
Phone: 413-577-8102