2001 AMS Spring Southeastern Section Meeting
University of South Carolina, March 16 - 18, 2001
Columbia, South Carolina
Meeting #963

Accommodations

Participants should make their own arrangements directly with a hotel of their choice. Special rates have been negotiated at the hotels listed below. Rates quoted do not include sales tax of 10%. The AMS is not responsible for rate changes or for the quality of the accommodations. When making a reservation, participants should state that they are with the American Mathematical Society group.

Clarion Town House Hotel, 1615 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201; 803-771-8711, 800-277-8711; about one mile to the campus. \$72 single or double; complimentary shuttle service from the airport, restaurant on premises. Deadline for reservations is February 21, 2001.

Holiday Inn Coliseum, 630 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201; 803-799-7800, 800-465-4329; next to the campus. \$74/single or double; complimentary shuttle service from the airport, free parking, restaurant on premises. Deadline for reservations is February 14, 2001.

Columbia is also served by the following national chains (none within walking distance): AmeriSuites, Best Western, Baymont Inn, Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriot, Days Inn, Economy Inn, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inn by Marriot, Hampton Inn, Knights Inn, La Quinta, Motel 6, Ramada Limited, Sheraton Hotel, Super 8 Motel, and Travelodge.

Food Service and Local Information

The university will be on Spring Break, so the university dining services will only be operating at minimal capacity. There are a large number of restaurants within easy walking distance of the meeting. These range from the typical fast food outlets to elegant establishments. Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Korean, as well as traditional Southern cooking are available. A detailed list will be available at registration.

See the following useful Web sites:

• The Department of Mathematics: Details about the meeting and helpful information will be available at this site.
• The University of South Carolina: Information for visitors to the campus can be found here. This is also a good source for campus maps, driving directions, and the like.
• The official site of the city of Columbia: Try clicking the "Visit Columbia" link. This should bring up the Web page of the Columbia Visitors Bureau, which has information about hotels, restaurants, and events happening around town.

Other Activities

AMS Book Sale: Examine the newest titles from the AMS. Most books will be available at a special 50% discount offered only at meetings. 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 would like to discuss with the AMS, please stop by the book exhibit.

Parking

A very good campus map is available. Gambrell Hall, where the meeting will be held, is building 51. The parking lots labelled B2, B3, B5, B6, and B7 will be available for parking at no charge. Parking places in these lots are on a first-come first-served basis. The university will be on Spring Break, so many spaces should be available. Parking in reserved or handicapped spaces is not permitted. Those desiring handicapped parking should get in touch with George McNulty, Mathematics Department, mcnulty@math.sc.edu, so that appropriate parking decals can be sent in advance of the meeting.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting will the held at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. The registration desk will be located in the lobby of Gambrell Hall and will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Registration fees (payable on site only) are \$40/AMS or CMS members; \$60/nonmembers; \$5/emeritus members, students, or unemployed mathematicians. Fees are payable by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Travel

The following specially negotiated rates on USAirways are available exclusively to mathematicians and their families for the period March 13 - 21, 2001. Discounts apply only to travel within the continental U.S. Other restrictions may apply, and seats are limited. Receive a 5% discount off First or Envoy Class and any published US Airways promotional round-trip fare. By purchasing your ticket 60 days or more prior to departure, you can receive an additional 5% bonus discount. Or you may receive a 10% discount off unrestricted coach fares with seven-day advance purchase. For reservations call (or have your travel agent call) US Airways Group and Meeting Reservation Office toll-free at 877-874-7687 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Refer to Gold File number 88111579.

Columbia lies at the intersection of I-26, I-20, and I-77. See an overview map of how to drive to the campus. From I-77 or I-20 take I-277 into Columbia. I-277 becomes Bull Street. Follow Bull Street to where it terminates at Pendleton Street. Turn left on Pendleton. Cross the next street, Pickens. Parking Lot B3 is on the left.

From I-26 take I-126 into Columbia. At the termination of I-126, take the Elmwood exit. Follow Elmwood until it terminates at Bull Street. Turn right on Bull. Follow Bull Street to where it terminates at Pendleton Street. Turn left on Pendleton. Cross the next street, Pickens. Parking Lot B3 is on the left.

The taxi fare between the airport and the university is about \$20. The Holiday Inn Coliseum, and the Clarion Town House Hotel provide a free shuttle service.

Car rental: Special rates have been negotiated with Avis Rent A Car for the period March 9 - 25, 2001. All rates include unlimited free mileage; the weekend rates quoted are available from noon Thursday until Monday at 11:59 p.m. Rates do not include state or local surcharges, tax, optional coverages, or gas refueling charges. Renter must meet Avis's age, driver, and credit requirements. Make reservations by calling 800-331-1600 or online at http://www.avis.com/. Nonweekend and weekly rates are also available. Please quote Avis Discount Number J098887 when making reservations. Daily weekend rates are subcompact, \$21.99; compact, \$22.99; intermediate, \$24.99; full-size (2-door), \$27.99; full-size (4-door), \$29.99;premium, \$31.99; luxury, \$63.99; minivan, \$63.99; and sport utility, \$63.99.

Weather

March is generally very pleasant. The daytime temperature should be in the 75 - 80 degree range. The low temperatures should be in the 40s. This is the time that many trees and shrubs are in flower. The campus and the city should be beautiful; however, some people are troubled by all the pollen.