Lectures and most activities will be held in the Integrative Learning Center (ILC) room S211, located at 650 N. Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA 01003. The North Residential Area is located on Eastman Lane in Amherst MA, 01003. There are four North buildings (A, B, C and D) and your specific building assignment will be sent via email in May. As you plan your visit, please keep in mind that check-in will be available beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 2 (with the welcome meeting in ILC room S211 at 2:20PM) and check-out is by 2PM on Thursday, June 6. Guests who select to stay the early arrival and/or late departure night(s) will be sent updated check-in and check-out times as the program approaches. Click here to take a look at a campus map.

By Car

From the South, via I-91 North
Travelers have a choice of two routes:
- Take Exit 25 in Northampton: From the exit ramp, stay in the right lane to take the first rotary exit, turning right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left onto 116 and go one mile to the UMass exit. Stay to the right as you exit to merge onto Massachusetts Avenue.
- Take Exit 36 in Deerfield: At the stop sign at the top of the ramp, turn right (north) onto Routes U.S. 5/10/116, and immediately turn right again at the traffic lights onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for eight miles to the UMass exit. Turn left at the stop sign onto Massachusetts Avenue.

From either route, after proceeded onto Massachusetts Avenue, take a left at the second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Commonwealth Avenue will become Governors Drive. Stay on Governors Drive until you reach the rotary. Take the second exit onto Eastman Lane. Take your second left (immediately after Totman) onto the one-way street. You will see the first two North buildings on the right. Based on the housing assignment email that will be sent closer to the event, pull into the small half circle in front of your building and check-in.

From the North, via I-91 South 
Follow I-93 to I-495 South. Follow to Route 2 West. Continue on Route 2 to U.S. 202 South. Follow for about 15 miles to the blinking light at the Pelham exit marked “Route 9 and 116 Amherst.” Turn right and follow for seven miles to Amherst center. Turn right onto North Pleasant Street. Stay on North Pleasant Street (you will need to turn left twice to remain on North Pleasant Street, - follow signs to the UMass Campus). As you enter campus you will come to a set of lights. Stay to the left to turn onto Massachusetts Avenue. Follow Massachusetts Avenue through campus until you come to a set of lights. At the lights take a right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and go up the hill. You will see the garage entrance up the hill on your right.

From the North, via I-93 South
Follow I-93 to I-495 South. Follow to Route 2 West. Continue on Route 2 to U.S. 202 South. Follow for about 15 miles to the blinking light at the Pelham exit marked “Route 9 and 116 Amherst.” Turn right and follow for seven miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

From the East or West, via I-90 
Travelers have a choice of four routes:

Off Exit 63 (Palmer/Ware): Follow Route 32 South to Palmer; take Route 20 West to Route 181 North into Belchertown, and then Route 9 West to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

Off Exit 54 (Ludlow): Follow Route 21 North to U.S. 202 North to Route 9 West to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

Off Exit 49 (Chicopee): Follow Route 33 North to Route 116 North to Amherst center. Turn left at the light onto Route 9 West. Follow signs to UMass.

Off Exit 45 (West Springfield): I-91 North to Exit 19 to Route 9 East to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

By Plane
If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (near Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles (about a 50 minute drive) from the UMass campus. From Bradley attendees will need to book a shuttle service or rent a car to get to campus (see the transportation options below). 

Attendees may find additional flight options into Logan International Airport in Boston, located approximately 95 miles (about a 2 - 2.5 hour drive) from the UMass campus. While more flight options are typically available into Logan, please remember to account for extra travel time to campus. Please also be sure to organize transportation to/from the airport to campus in advance of your arrival. From Logan attendees may book one of the shuttle services below, rent a car, or travel by Peter Pan Bus. Click here for Peter Pan bus ticket purchase details and scheduling. To ensure appropriate bus service to/from campus please select "Boston (Logan Airport), MA" as your "From:" destination and "Amherst UMass, MA" as your "To:" destination. 

Transportation Services 
Shuttle services and/or rental cars should be arranged prior to your travel. Please note there are no standing shuttles that run each day between Bradley/Logan and the UMass campus so additional arrangements must be made in advance.

- Valley Transporter, 413-253-1350
- Seemo Shuttle, 413-586-1120 
- Exclusive Car Service, 413-534-3505
- Bluebird Transportation, 413-221-4512
- Enterprise

By Bus
Amherst and the surrounding area are serviced by Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). The most convenient service is offered by Peter Pan, so when possible those traveling by bus should book a Peter Pan bus ticket using "Amherst UMass, MA" as the destination (note the "Amherst Center, MA" stop is in downtown Amherst and will require additional travel to arrive on campus). Greyhound offers bus service to nearby Northampton, MA, located about a 20 minute drive from campus. From Northampton attendees should plan to travel to campus via a taxi service, Uber/Lyft, or PVTA bus.

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 will then need to take either 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 and will require about a 7 minute walk. If you prefer, you may use one of the many local taxi services or Uber/Lyft. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip - including bus or taxi services - prior to your arrival as 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 decide to take a train out of Northampton, remember to purchase your return ticket online prior to arriving at the platform. The train platform is located at 170 Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA.

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from Springfield to Amherst. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. The train will arrive at the Springfield station building, located at 66 Lyman Street in Springfield, MA. This station building does have a waiting room, ticket office, quik-trak kiosk, and payphone, but we do still encourage you to plan your trip, including services from the train station to campus, prior to your arrival.

Getting Around Campus and the Area
There are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a 15 - 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive from campus. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, about a 5 - 10 minute trip from campus by car or bus. Retailers include CVS, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, Marshalls, and more.

Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar and Enterprise to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. The area is also serviced by a variety of cab companies, including Uber, Lyft, Taxi Express, Tik Tak Taxi (413-461-5067) and Celebrity Cab (413-253-7330). There are also a number of bicycle rentals around campus, including Laughing Dog Bicycles and Hampshire Bicycle Exchange. 

The conference also provides complimentary shuttles for our attendees. These shuttles run from the Campus Center to the Dining Commons, and continue on to the Courtyard by Marriott Hadley Amherst located on Route 9 in Hadley, MA. Additional details will be available as the conference approaches and a full shuttle schedule will be provided to you upon arrival.

The summer school will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. Lectures will take place in the Integrative Learning Center (LIC) room S211, located at 650 N. Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA 01003. On-campus residence hall lodging will be available at the North Residential Area, located on Eastman Lane in Amherst, MA 01003. A map marking the relevant campus points can be found here and below.

The school will run from noon Sunday, June 2, through Thursday evening, June 6. In previous years there was a welcome meeting with refreshments at 2:20PM followed by the first lecture starting promptly at 3PM. Four lecturers will give mini-courses composed of four 90-min lectures. The lectures will be interspersed with student presentations, and some social activities. Typically, we will have four lectures a day, leaving time for discussions scientific and otherwise. The lecturers may set assignments. More details on the courses will be posted on the school website as the program approaches.

Arrival
On Sunday we'd recommend you plan to attend the welcome meeting anticipated to start at 2:20PM, followed by the first lecture at 3PM, all in the Integrative Learning Center (ILC) room S211, located at 650 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003. Please come to ILC room S211 before the welcome meeting so you can pick up your school folder, which will include your meal card, name tag, maps, and schedule. A dinner will follow on Sunday. Click here to take a look at a highlighted map (updated information will also be posted here as the program approaches). 

For those staying in the North Apartments, you will be able to check-in and pick up your room key and building access card right in the lobby of your building (exact building assignments will be sent in May). Check-in will be available beginning at 11AM on Sunday, June 2, right in the lobby of your building. If you arrive after 2:30PM or later, please come directly to the summer school in ILC room S211; you can check-in to your room later in the day. After 11AM on Sunday, and throughout your stay, the North Apartments will be staffed 24 hours a day to accommodate late check-in or any other housing needs that may arise during your stay. Check-out will be by 2PM on your day of departure. If you selected the early arrival night, your check-in time/location might differ: a separate email will be sent as the program approaches.

Parking
Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 44, the large surface lot adjacent to the North Residential Area. Guests staying in North will be able to obtain a parking pass for this lot at check-in. The pass must be filled out completely and should be prominently displayed on your dashboard for the duration of your stay to avoid any potential ticketing and/or towing. Local program attendees can park in their normal parking spots, or can ask the program organizers for a temporary surface lot and/or discounted garage pass. 

Getting Around Campus & the Area
There are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a quick 10-15 minute walk from campus. Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. There are also a variety of bike rental options available, including Laughing Dog Bicycles and Hampshire Bicycle Exchange. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, a 5-10 minutes drive from campus by car or bus, including CVS, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, Marshalls, and more.

On-Campus Residence Hall Lodging in the North Apartments
Located on campus within a 10 to 15 minute walk of school activities and multiple dining options, the air-conditioned North Apartments are a very popular and convenient housing option for our summer guests. Standard registration includes a simple room in a North Apartment (UMass Residence Hall) for the nights of Sunday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 5 (checking-out Thursday, June 6). Guests also have the option to add the early arrival night of Saturday, June 1, and/or the late departure night of Thursday, June 6, during the online registration process for an additional $54.00/person/night. If you wish to stay outside of these dates please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu to inquire about availability. Those who stay in North will be housed in an apartment with other summer school attendees: guests can enter specific suitemate requests during the registration process or can provide their gender to be assigned to a gender specific suite. If you have any additional housing requests, including accessibility needs, please enter those during registration so we can accommodate you!

Each North Apartment consists of four single occupancy bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common area and a kitchen, accommodating a total of 4 guests. Each lockable bedroom is furnished with a twin bed, desk, chair, and bureau. A linen pack containing two flat sheets, a pillow with case, two towels and a thin blanket is included. The kitchen has a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, and stove-top oven. If you are interested in preparing some of your meals in the suite, you should bring supplies or purchase some upon your arrival: silverware, cookware and plates are not provided. Toiletries are also not included.

Check-in begins at 11AM on Sunday, June 2. Check-out is by 2PM on Thursday, June 6. Check-in and check-out are available right in the lobby of your assigned building, which will be sent closer to the program start date. If you select to stay the early arrival night of Saturday, June 1, or late departure night of Thursday, June 6, your check-in and/or check-out time(s) may differ: a separate email will be sent closer to the program start date.

If you wish to learn more about the North Apartments please review the frequently asked questions below or contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which residence hall will I be in?
The North Residential Area has four buildings - A, B, C, and D. All of the buildings are located next to each other, forming a quad. At this time we do not know which of these four buildings you will be housed in, but an email will be sent out to all registered guests closer to the program with detailed arrival information, including your exact housing assignment. The North Apartments are all located on Eastman Lane in Amherst, MA, and are all located only a minutes walk apart.

Who will I share an apartment with? 
Guests will be placed in a suite with other summer school attendees, with each guest assigned to their own individual, lockable, bedroom (there are 4 bedrooms per suite). If you provide specific suitemate requests during the online reservation process we will do our best to house you accordingly. If you do not request any suitemates you will be housed with other summer school attendees by gender. Each bedroom is lockable: although you will share common spaces with you suitemates, only you will have access to your bedroom.

What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in will begin at 11AM on Sunday, June 2. A Summer Conference Housing staff member will be located at the desk in the lobby of your building around the clock once check-in begins, so if you need to check-in late or need any assistance during your stay please stop by the desk in the lobby. If you arrive at 2:30PM or later on Sunday we ask that you come directly to the summer school in ILC room S211 and check-in later. Check-out is by 2PM on Thursday, June 6. Additional arrival information will be sent to all registered guests closer to the program start date. Note: if you select the early arrival night of Saturday, June 1, or the late departure night of Thursday, June 6, separate check-in and/or check-out times/locations will be sent via email as the program approaches.

At check-in you will be provided with a building/apartment access card and a room key. You must return the access card and room key at check-out: you will be charged $25.00 for any lost/damaged access and $100.00 for any lost/damaged room key.

Can I stay a night early or a night late?
The Standard (Non-UMass) Registration rate includes 4 nights in North: Sunday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 5 (checking out Thursday, June 6). During online registration you can add the early arrival night of Saturday, June 1, or the late departure night of Thursday, June 6, for an additional $54.00/person/night. If you need to stay outside of these dates please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu and we will see if we can extend your stay (additional fees will apply).

Is linen provided?
Yes, linens are provided. Each guest will have two flat sheets, a blanket, a pillow with case and two towels in their assigned bedroom when they check-in. Guests who wish to bring their own linens can do so. 

Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, you will receive wireless login credentials upon your arrival. This wireless login information should work everywhere on campus, including in the residence halls. 

Where do I park?
Complimentary parking is available in Lot 44, the large lot located adjacent to the North Residential Area (click here to view a parking map of campus). At check-in the desk clerk will provide you with a parking pass for this lot. This parking pass must be filled out and prominently displayed on your dashboard throughout your stay to avoid any potential ticketing and/or towing. 

What should I bring?
We encourage guests to bring anything that will make their stay more comfortable! Below are some notes and tips that might help you pack. 

- All guests will be provided with a linen pack containing two towels, two flat sheets, a pillow with case, and a blanket. The mattresses are on the thinner side so you might want to bring an extra blanket or mattress pad.  

- The apartments are air-conditioned and some guests find them to be a bit cold, so we encourage you to bring a sweater or sweatshirt. 

- There are no additional amenities or appliances in the bedrooms: bedrooms are not equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, televisions, or irons/ironing boards. Although there is a bureau and wardrobe, there are typically not hangars available, but feel free to bring your own!

- The shared kitchen has a microwave, stove-top oven and full sized refrigerator/freezer. However, we do not provide dishes, silverware, cutlery, pots, pans or any cookware, so if you plan to cook please bring your own supplies or purchase some upon your arrival. There is a Target, a Walmart, and a variety of grocery and convenience stores located within a 10 minute drive from campus (also accessible by PVTA bus!).

- The living area has a couch and chairs, but the room does not have a television or cable access. 

- Both of the bathrooms have a shower, but guests should be sure to bring all of their own toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, soap, and a hair dryer. Because the bathrooms are shared with the other suitemates in your apartment, some guests find it useful to bring a portable shower caddy, robe, and/or shower sandals. 

Please keep in mind these are residence halls occupied by students during the academic year: when the students move out they take their belongings with them, leaving only the furniture and kitchen appliances in the apartments.

What is a Credit Card Authorization Form?
The required credit card authorization form is the same idea as a hotel taking your credit card data at check-in for incidentals, but for security purposes we have you submit this before your arrival (the residence halls don't always have a secure space to collect and hold this data). All guests must complete and return a credit card authorization form to UMass Conference Services by May 17, 2024. The form will be kept securely on file for the duration of your stay and will only be run in the event of any lost/damaged room keys and/or access cards, or in the event of any residence hall damages. Guests will be charged $100.00 for any lost/damaged room key and $25.00 for any lost/damaged access card. Click here to download the Credit Card Authorization Form. Forms can be returned by mail, or completed by phone (413-577-8102). 

Non-UMass attendees will be provided with a meal card offering breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday, valid in the Campus Center retail eateries (Blue Wall, Harvest, or Peoples Organic), coffee and refreshments between lectures, and two evening meals. UMass attendees will be provided with a meal card offering lunch Monday through Thursday, valid in the Campus Center retail eateries (Blue Wall, Harvest, or Peoples Organic), coffee and refreshments between lectures, and two evening meals. 

Upon arrival all attendees will be provided with a meal card, pre-loaded with a set number of meal swipes based on your registration type. These meal cards will only be valid at eateries located in the UMass Campus Center.

For other meals we will leave you to explore the area where options abound, from award-winning UMass Dining to the eateries of Amherst, Hadley and Northampton. 

Dining at UMass
"America's Most Awarded Dining Program," UMass Dining, invites you to join our table! Our summer guests can find UMass Dining at every corner of campus. With dining commons, retail cafes, food trucks, and more, we welcome you to enjoy all that the UMass Dining experience has to offer. Note: registration includes most meals.

Dining Commons
At this time we anticipate our Dining Commons will be closed for most of the summer school: attendees should instead plan to eat in the Campus Center retail eateries (see below). Berkshire DC, located in the Southwest Residential Area of campus, will open on Thursday, June 8, but note summer school meal cards will only be valid at the Campus Center retail eateries below. However, should you care to visit Berkshire, you can enjoy our served all-you-care-to-eat style meals, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available from 7AM - 8PM beginning on June 8. At each meal you will find a variety of cuisines, often including sushi, pho noodles, create-your-own stir-fry, pizza, dim sum brunch, pasta and salad bars, deli sandwiches, American fare, Halal dining, vegan and vegetarian options, a range of desserts, ice cream, and more. Daily menus will be available as your stay approaches on the UMass Dining website. Guests can pay for each meal by cash or card right at Dining Commons entrance. Note summer school meal cards will not work at the Dining Commons.

Campus Center Retail Eateries
The 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. Offerings include pizza, salads, wraps, deli sandwiches, sushi, burgers, burritos, gelato, and more, ensuring that the Blue Wall has something to satisfy every craving. 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 often 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. 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.

Campus Center Retail Eateries Hours of Operation: (summer hours subject to change)
Blue Wall: open from 11AM - 6PM, Monday through Friday.
Harvest Market: open daily from 8AM - 9PM.
People's Organic: open 7AM - 4PM, Monday through Friday.

The Commonwealth Restaurant
We proudly welcome you to joins us at The Commonwealth. Located on the top floor of the newly constructed Worcester Commons, our elegantly modern restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere featuring beautiful views of campus. Come be waited on by delightful and diligent staff while enjoying our delicious, fresh, local, and sustainable menu. Note summer school meal cards will not work at the Commonwealth Restaurant, but guests may pay by cash, credit card, or UCard.

The Commonwealth Regular Hours of Operation (summer hours subject to change)
Open 11AM - 3PM, Monday through Wednesday.
Open 11AM - 7PM, Thursday through Friday. 

Food Trucks
Our food trucks, Baby Berk and Baby Berk 2, are great options for a quick and convenient meal. Serving freshly prepared food truck fare, including burgers, wasabi steak tacos, grilled cheeses, tater tots and sweet potato fries, you are sure to leave satisfied. Checkout @UMassBabyBerk and @UMassBabyBerk2 on Twitter to find daily schedules and location updates, and look for the trucks around campus during your stay! Note summer school meal cards will not work at the food trucks.

Area Dining
Looking to head off-campus for a meal? There are so many wonderful and convenient options! Downtown Amherst, located about a 5 minute drive/20 minute walk from campus, has many unique restaurants, with fare ranging from Thai, Chinese, Italian, American, Indian and more. Some longstanding downtown favorites include Antonio's pizza by the slice, Bueno Y Sano, and Johnny's Tavern. About 5 minutes in the other direction, heading down University Drive, you will find some more popular local spots including The Hangar Pub and Grill and Ginger Garden. Travel just a bit further (7 - 10 minutes from campus) and you will reach the Route 9/Russell Street area of Hadley, which is replete with familiar chains and fast-food spots including Friendly's, Panara, Chili's, Wendy's, Chipotle, Texas Roadhouse and more. Have a little more time on your hands? Visit downtown Northampton, about a 25 minute drive from campus, to explore the many restaurants and shops that make up this artistic, academic and countercultural hub. Click the links below for some more information on off-campus dining options, and be sure to take a look at the bus services offered by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to help you get where you need to go! 

For more information visit:
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.amherstarea.com/list/category/restaurants-281
Visit Hampshire County: https://visithampshirecounty.com/eat/restaurants/

For general summer school and/or programming information:
Contact the organizers at ssphys@physics.umass.edu or visit the summer school website.

For general registration or payment inquiries:
Contact the UMass Conference Services Registration Office at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu.