2008 Program Logistics -As of 02/05/2008 - Please check frequently for updates-
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Travel to and from Boulder
It's time to make your summer travel arrangements!
First, you need to decide if you will be flying or driving to Boulder. Second, consider your arrival and departure dates and times. Third, make your reservations. If you are flying, refer to Part A. If you are driving, refer to part B.
No protege may arrive after May 27th or leave before August 8th without Raj Pandya’s approval (for SOARS) or Susan Eriksson’s approval (for RESESS).

Part A: Flying
SOARS proteges make their own airline reservations by calling- Jean Ann at Boulder Travel, 303-449-9050 ext. 1441 RESESS proteges should call Tania Down at 303-449-9050 ext. 1334. When you book your flights through Boulder Travel, SOARS/RESESS pays for the ticket.

• Deadline for making Flight Reservations: Monday, April 14, 2008
• When you call Jean Ann at Boulder Travel, tell her that you are a SOARS/RESESS protege who is calling to book your airline reservations. SOARS protégés will need to give Jean Ann their Travel Authorization number and Account key before booking.
  
• Boulder Travel will book the least expensive, round-trip ticket  available at the time you call.  Jean Ann will walk you through the process of making your travel reservations. Tickets over $400 must be approved by the SOARS office.
• Electronic tickets (E-tickets) will be issued whenever possible.
• Your tickets are non-refundable, which means ANY changes you make to your reservations after the tickets have been issued will result in an increase in the cost of the ticket.  The initial "ticket-change" fee is $130... costs increase from that point.  You will be responsible for any fees associated with changing your ticket after the initial purchase.
• Many of the airlines are now charging extra for the second piece of checked luggage each way. The charge may be $25. SOARS will reimburse for only for 1 (one) additonal piece of luggage, you will be responsible if you choose to bring more than 2 pieces of luggage. Please ask for a receipt of payment for the 2nd piece when you check in your luggage.

Please keep the following in mind when you determine your ARRIVAL time:

• Protégés must arrive by 6pm on May 27th and will then take the Boulder Super Shuttle from DIA to the apartments.  The Super Shuttle departs hourly from DIA at 10 minutes after the hour every hour. Link to Super Shuttle

Please keep the following in mind when you determine your DEPARTURE time:

• Be sure that you allow yourself enough time to clean and pack your apartment.  Leaving on Saturday will give you Friday for packing, cleaning and farewells. 
  
• The Super Shuttle route from Boulder to DIA begins picking up passengers at 4:00 am (arriving at DIA 5:30 – 5:45 am) with the last pickup time at 9:30 pm (arriving DIA 11:00 – 11:10 pm). Allow yourself AT LEAST 3.5 hours from the time you leave your apartment to the time your plane departs from DIA if you are using Super Shuttle.

Part B: Driving
SOARS will reimburse you for mileage at $.505/mile UP TO the cost of the least expensive, round-trip, non-refundable airline ticket flying into Denver International Airport (DIA) and departing from DIA.

• You need to determine if it’s more cost effective for you to drive or fly.  Check with Jean Ann or Tania at Boulder Travel (see above for contact information) to determine the least expensive, round-trip, non-refundable ticket price departing on Tuesday, May 27, to DIA, returning to the airport closest to your home on August 8 from DIA. 
• Please request to have Boulder Travel send Lena (SOARS) or Jamie (RESESS) an e-mail that states what the airfare would be if you were flying.   If you are going to drive, please let Lena or Jamie know by Monday, April 14, 2008.

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Leadership Training and Orientation
Before you dive into your research project and a 40 hour work-week, SOARS provides a mixture of team building and leadership development training. All proteges must attend the 3 day training.

• Proteges Training Dates: Wednesday May 28th - Friday, May 30th.

Work Information
Every protege will soon be matched with a science research mentor and will conduct original research over the course of 10 weeks.

• Proteges will have their own workspace in their division at UCAR/NCAR/UOP, including a computer, phone, and email.
• You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis. If you would like information about your salary, please contact the SOARS Office.
• Proteges are expected to write a paper about their research by the end of the program.
• View a map of UCAR/NCAR facilities.

Writing & Communication Workshop
All proteges take part in a weekly writing workshop to improve their scientific writing and public presentation skills. These classes will be held on Thursdays and will be taught by Rolf Norgaard.

Mentors
Each protege will be matched with a science research mentor and a writing mentor. New proteges will also be paired with a community mentor and a peer mentor (a returning protege).

What to Wear
For the most part, UCAR has a pretty casual working environment.   We suggest bringing a balanced wardrobe with some regular outdoor summer clothes as well as some casual office clothes.  You will be making a presentation to UCAR/NCAR/UOP/UNAVCO staff at the end of your 10-week session and you may be invited to several receptions throughout the summer.   It is expected that you wear a formal “business” outfit for those occasions (i.e. shirt and tie or skirt or slacks).

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Apartment Information
All proteges will be living in four bedroom, fully furnished apartments at Bear Creek Apartments, in Boulder.
The apartments are located at 3275 Apache Road off of 30th Street, south of Baseline road.
The mailing address is Student's Name, SOARS -RESESS, Bear Creek Apartments, 9000 Bear Creek, Boulder, CO, 80310.

Basic apartment furniture such as bed, sofa, etc. is provided. Items SOARS-RESESS will provide: linens, pillow, blanket, towels, shower curtain, kitchen utensils, dishes, cups, silverware, pots, pans.
Items you will need to provide: bath mat, cleaning supplies, clock, telephone and hangers for the closet.

Each apartment is equipped with a telephone line. Resident will need to provide the phone. To make a long distance phone call, you must use a calling card. Also, each apartment is equipped with internet access. The resident will need to provide own Ethernet cable. SOARS-RESESS will distribute log-in and passwords. Pets are not allowed unless certified for medical assistance.

Check-in: The office is located in building A, the west building. If you arrive after 7pm: please notify SOARS!

Click here to download the complete apartment information. For questions, please contact Rebecca.

Life in Boulder
The city of Boulder, home to about 103,673 residents, is situated in a valley against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  The average summer temperature reaches 80 to 90 degrees during the day, but tends to cool off at night. On rare occasions it gets as hot as 100 degrees, but the low humidity makes it bearable.  If you’re coming from a humid climate, you may need to drink lots of water, use gallons of hand/body lotion, and carry chapstick as you get used to our arid climate.  Bring an umbrella/raincoat as we can get afternoon thunderstorms that are real soakers!

Boulder is a university town. The nearest metropolitan area is Denver, approximately 30 miles from Boulder.  The art museum, natural history museum, zoo, and the Colorado Rockies baseball stadium in Denver are all easily accessible using the bus system.   

Boulder is nicknamed the “People’s Republic of Boulder” because of its reputation for political and social liberalism.  Fast food restaurants are hard to come by and many people commute to work via bike.  Boulder is known for its laid back atmosphere and well educated population.

For more information on things to do in Boulder visit-http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/index.cfm

What to Bring
Download a Word document listing everything you need to bring.

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Protege Summer Handbook
The SOARS/RESESS Protege Summer Handbook contains all the information found on this page and more. Click here for download. New proteges will also receive a copy of the handbook in the mail. Please bring the handbook with you, you will need it during orientation and we will add information to it during the summer.

If you have any questions about this information please contact SOARS Program Assistant, Lena Miller by email or phone: 303-497-8622.