AMS Sectional Meeting Registration/Housing/Etc. Information
Spring Central Section Meeting
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
March 14-15, 2015 (Saturday - Sunday)
Meeting #1108
Associate secretaries:
***ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED***
Accommodations
Participants should make their own arrangements directly with the hotel of their choice. Special discounted rates were negotiated with the hotels listed below. Rates quoted do not include hotel tax. Participants must state that they are with the American Mathematical Society (AMS) Meeting at Michigan State University to receive the discounted rates. The AMS is not responsible for rate changes or for the quality of the accommodations. Hotels have varying cancellation and early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details.
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, 800-875-5090; www.kelloggcenter.com/. Located on the MSU campus. Rates are US\$95 plus a US\$5 hotel fee per night for single/double occupancy. Please note additional state and local taxes apply. Amenities include Wi-Fi, fitness center, laundry and dry cleaning services, Capital City Airport shuttle service and covered parking for hotel guests. Check in time is 4:00 p.m. and check out time is 12:00 p.m. The deadline for reservations at this rate is February 10, 2015. Please use Group Code: AMS031315.
Candlewood Suites Hotel, at the Henry Center of MSU, 3545 Forest Rd Lansing, MI 48910, 877-226-3539; www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/us/en/lansing/lanmu/hoteldetail. Rates are US\$95 per night for studio suites. Please note that the hotel tax is 13%. Amenities include Wi-Fi, fitness center, laundry and dry cleaning services and complimentary parking. Check in time is 3:00 p.m. and check out time is 12:00 p.m. The deadline for reservations at this rate is February 12, 2015. Please use Group Code: AMS.
East Lansing Area Hotels/Inns, Please visit www.ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/Hotels_MSULocal.aspx for a listing of area hotel and inn recommendations. Discounted rates have only been negotiated with the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center and Candlewood Suites Hotel.
Food Services
On Campus: Residential Dining: Choose the convenience of dining in one of our 10 residence dining halls. Each neighborhood offers vegetarian options, comfort food, grill items, salads, desserts, international cuisine, pizza and sandwiches, breakfast items and more!
Sparty’s, Sparty’s Café has Spartan Spirit Coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks, convenience items and made-to-order food. Sparty’s Express has Spartan Spirit Coffee and convenience items for when you’re on the go. Sparty’s Refresh has Spartan Spirit Coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks and convenience items. No matter where you are on campus there’s, a Sparty’s near you!
Retail Dining, In addition to residence halls and Sparty’s, you can take advantage of a number of other campus dining options when you choose to eat at MSU.
Off Campus: There is a wide variety of restaurants and fast food close to campus.
Registration and Meeting Information
Advance registration for this meeting is now closed. If you have already registered, please pick up your badge and program at the on-site registration desk.
100% refunds will be issued for any advance registrations cancelled by Saturday, March 14, 2015. After that date, no refunds will be issued.
Onsite Information and Registration
Registration, the book exhibit, Special Sessions, and the Invited Address will be located in Well Hall, 619 Red Cedar Road East Lansing, MI 48824. You can find the campus map here: maps.msu.edu/.
The registration desk will be open on Saturday, March 14, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Fees will be US\$56 for AMS members, US\$78 for nonmembers; and US\$5 for students, unemployed mathematicians, and emeritus members. Fees will be payable onsite via cash, check, or credit card.
Special Needs
It is the goal of the AMS to ensure that its conferences are accessible to all, regardless of disability. AMS shall strive, unless it is not practicable, to choose venues that are fully accessible to the physically handicapped.
If special needs accommodations are necessary in order for you to participate in an AMS Sectional Meeting, please communicate your needs in advance to the AMS Meetings Department by:
- Registering early for the meeting
- Checking the appropriate box on the registration form
- Sending an email request to the AMS Meetings Department at mmsb@ams.org or meet@ams.org.
Other Activities
Book Sales: Stop by the on-site AMS bookstore to review our newest publications and take advantage of exhibit discounts! AMS members receive 40% off list price. Non-members receive a 25 percent discount. Not a member? Ask about the benefits of AMS membership. Complimentary coffee will be served courtesy of AMS Membership Services.
AMS Editorial Activity: An acquisitions editor from the AMS book program will be present to speak with prospective authors. If you have a book project that you wish to discuss with the AMS, please stop by the book exhibit.
Local Information and Maps
This conference will take place in Wells Hall on Michigan State University’s campus. Wells Hall is located at 619 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI 48824. Campus maps may be found at maps.msu.edu/. Information about the the Department of Mathematics may be found at math.msu.edu/.Please visit the university's website at www.msu.edu for additional information on the campus.
Parking
Visitor Pay Lots (Lots 39, 62W, 63W, 79, 100 and Wharton Ramp 3) will be FREE the week of Spring Break, March 9-15, 2015 at Michigan State University. Lot 39, the International Center Lot, would be the closest option to Wells Hall. Please note permits will be required outside of Visitor Pay Lots.
Questions about parking on campus at Michigan State University can be addressed to the MSU Police Parking Office at 517-355-8440.
Travel
Airports: East Lansing is served by Lansing’s Capital City Airport (LAN). The nearest major airport is Detroit's Metropolitan Airport (DTW). The Michigan Flyer (luxury coach bus service) provides ground transportation from DTW to East Lansing. The Flint Airport (FNT) is located about 40 miles from MSU and would require a rental car for transportation.
Train: Amtrak services the East Lansing area with varying routes. The East Lansing Train Station is located just west of campus.
Driving to MSU
From Traverse City or Points North via I-75: Proceed south on I-75 to US-127 near Grayling. Proceed south on US-127 to East Lansing. Take the Trowbridge Road exit. Follow Trowbridge Road east to Michigan State University.
From Detroit or Points East via I-96: Proceed west on I-96 to northbound US-127; follow US-127 north to East Lansing. Take the Trowbridge Road exit. Follow Trowbridge Road east to Michigan State University.
From Grand Rapids or Points West via I-96: Proceed east on I-96 to eastbound I-69. Proceed east on I-69 to southbound US-127. Take US-127 south to East Lansing. Take the Trowbridge Road exit. Follow Trowbridge Road east to Michigan State University.
From Flint or Points East via I-69: Proceed southwest on I-69 to southbound US-127. Take US-127 south to East Lansing. Take the Trowbridge Road exit. Follow Trowbridge Road east to Michigan State University.
From Kalamazoo or Points South via I-69: Proceed east on I-94 to northbound I-69. Take I-69 north to Lansing. Take I-496 east to the Trowbridge Road exit. Follow Trowbridge Road east to Michigan State University.
From Jackson or Points South via US-127: Proceed north on US-127 to East Lansing. Take the Trowbridge Road exit and continue east to Michigan State University.
Local Transportation
Taxi Service
Big Daddy Taxi: 517-367-7474
Capitol Transport: 517-482-1444
Country Club Taxi: 517-323-9070
Bus Service
The Michigan Flyer: Makes stops in Ann Arbor and Jackson, in addition to the Detroit Airport, if you are traveling to MSU from either of those cities; www.michiganflyer.com/.
CATA: Buses can be used to travel around the greater Lansing area; www.cata.org/
Weather
During the month of March, the average high temperature is in the mid-40s, the average low temperature is in mid-20s and the average precipitation is around 2 inches.
Social Networking
Attendees and speakers are encouraged to tweet about the meeting using the hashtag #AMSmtg.
Information for International Participants
Visa regulations are continually changing for travel to the United States. Visa applications may take from three to four months to process and require a personal interview, as well as specific personal information. International participants should view the important information about traveling to the U.S. found at sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/biso/visas/ and travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html. If you need a preliminary conference invitation in order to secure a visa, please send your request to aba@ams.org.
If you discover you do need a visa, the National Academies website (see above) provides these tips for successful visa applications:
* Visa applicants are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Therefore, applicants should provide proof of “binding” or sufficient ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of the following:
- family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence
- property ownership
- bank accounts
- employment contract or statement from employer stating that the position will continue when the employee returns;
* Visa applications are more likely to be successful if done in a visitor's home country than in a third country;
* Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of their visa application;
* Include a letter of invitation from the meeting organizer or the U.S. host, specifying the subject, location and dates of the activity, and how travel and local expenses will be covered;
* If travel plans will depend on early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application;
* Provide proof of professional scientific and/or educational status (students should provide a university transcript).
This list is not to be considered complete. Please visit the websites above for the most up-to-date information.