What to Wear in Potsdam

The weather in Potsdam is unpredictable...just like everywhere else in NY. As of today, Monday, we are expecting it to be mostly in the mid-70's, mostly sunny, 20% chance of rain. That of course can change at any moment!

The dorm rooms (Draime) are not air conditioned (bring a fan?), and the air conditioning in Kellas Hall is unpredictable. We suggest you dress for warm weather and bring a sweater or jacket in case the air conditioning in Kellas decides to be robust.

Don't forget:
The registration bags are lime green, so make sure your ensemble doesn't clash!
The BBQ is in the park by the river, and black flies and other un-invited guests may show up!

Attention fiber artists!

(I was going to title this "Attention Knitters", but I spent last evening crocheting afghan squares and I don't want to disenfranchise the crocheters, weavers, or whatever-else-you-do-with-string-ers among us!)

If you play with string and sticks to make fabric-like objects, please join us in the Knitter's Lounge during the conference. In addition to a nice place to stop and catch up with colleagues, we will also be doing a stash swap and a raffle. We are giving away a felted slippers knitting kit (pattern, yarn, and needles, and I've knit the pattern about a dozen times so I can testify to its fantastic-ness), and if you'd like, bring your surplus yarn for a stash swap -- offer up whatever yarn you can't seem to find a great pattern for, and trade it for something new-to-you. I know I'll be bringing a bag of miscellaneous skeins and balls to offer to anyone who wants to give them a good home!

This is a reprise of last year's super-successful knitting lounge at SUNY Maritime, and I hope that it proves just as much fun. I'm sorry to say there will be no wireless in our lounge, which means that we'll lose the cheerful and charming company of one Bill Drew, who, laptop in hand, braved a room full of swishing needles and hooks and chatter about swatching and Entrelac in order to surf the web in comfort last year.

The Knitter's Lounge will be in the Draime Lounge on the first floor of the dorm, in a nice bright room with big windows and comfy chairs.

Late Night Arrivals

If you are registered to stay in the dorms on Tuesday or Wednesday and you planning to arrive late ...

Although the registration desk will probably close around 8:00pm, late arrivals can pick up their registration packets and dorm keys at the University Police Department in Van Housen Extension. You can park for 15 minutes in LOT 21 while you pick up your packets and dorm keys.

Dorm Rooms

Dorm room prices are confirmed:

Single: $28.50 first night. $14.25 for each subsequent night.
Double: $19.00 per person first night. $9.50 for each subsequent night

OK to bring family members (spouses, kids, etc. but no pets). Only two people per room, same rates apply per person. No triples.

There are 90 singles in Draime Main.
There are 25-35 doubles in Draime Extention.

If registration exceeds the Draime capacity, overflow will be into Knowles Hall. Knowles has not been renovated recently like Draime, but is adequate. I would encourage folk to register early.

There is a kitchenette on each floor with a microwave, mini-fridge and sink. The Local Arrangements Committee plans to make hospitality baskets for each kitchenette with popcorn, snacks, tea, etc.

There is also a small lounge area on each floor...most have a TV with cable. The lounges would make good impromptu meeting spaces for small groups (i.e. 10 or so people).

There are coin operated laundry facilities in each dorm.


Each dorm room comes with:

• High speed internet connection, no charge (bring your own ethernet cable).
• There is no wireless in the dorms.
• One pillow
• Bed linens, a blanket, towel and washcloth. There is an additional fee for extra linens ($6.25)
• Cable hookup if you want to bring a TV, no charge
• Single bed, desk, closet.

Things you might want to bring:

• A fan (there is no air conditioning)
• Reading lamp (the only light is a floor lamp)
• Extra blankets, pillows, etc.
• Stuffed animals
  

Draime Knitting Lounge: Think you might need to take a break, or relax in the evening with other busy bees? The Knitting Lounge will be in the Draime Lounge on the first floor of the dorm. Sorry there is no wireless in the dorms.