May Workshop FAQ

Return to Overview or Calendar.

Registration and Arrangements

1. What is the cost?
2. What are the workshop dates?
3. How do I register?
4. Can I bring a guest?
5. When should I plan to arrive and leave?
6. Do I need a car?
7. How can I get to and from the airport?
8. How do I get access to the Student Recreation Center (SRC)?
9. How do I get a student ID card?
10. Where should I go once I arrive (map)?

Items to Bring (return to top)

1. What special clothing and incidentals should I pack?
2. What should I bring for my classes?
3. Are there any other academic materials I should bring?
4. Do I need to bring a computer? What peripherals should I bring?

Places to Go (return to top)

1. What are the local taxi companies?
2. Where is the nearest drug store?
3. Where is the nearest convenience store?
4. Where is the nearest Wal-Mart (notice: there's a new one that's much closer than the old one).
5. Where can I do my laundry?
6. Where can I attend religious services?
7. What type of recreation is available?

Sneak Peek (return to top)

1. What is the new class like?
2. What will we be our schedule?
3. What does the campus look like?
4. What are the new accommodations like?
5. What are the Student Recreation Center facilities like?

Answers: Registration and Arrangements (return to top)

1. What is the cost?
   
   The base cost is $1500. This includes accommodations, meals, speaker fees, and all other scheduled activities. You will have a day of unscheduled time, so you may wish to bring some spending money to take advantage of the day however you see fit.  (return to top)
    
2. When is the workshop?


2008: Sunday afternoon, May 11th (activities begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday) - Saturday evening, May 24th (8:00 p.m.)  We encourage you to stay Saturday night, and that night's lodging is included. (return to top)


3. How do I register?


Go to TechSIS (online registration for students). Once you have logged in, select English 0007 (under the First Summer 2007 term) and register for section 470. You will register for zero (0) credit hours. If you are having trouble logging in, wait a few minutes and try again. (return to top)


4. Can I bring a guest?


While you are not prohibited from bringing a guest, we recommend against it for the following reasons:
 
• You will have to arrange for separate accommodations. On-campus housing facilities do not allow mixed-gender sharing of rooms or apartments, even if the couple is married. You will also have to arrange for separate dining. Almost all meals are catered, so we cannot add individuals to meals on the fly.
• Your activities will be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on most nights, and you will have class work to complete in the remaining time.
   
If you do choose to bring a guest for a short visit, consider the middle weekend. Sunday, May 18, is the day with no scheduling. (return to top)


5. When should I plan to arrive and leave?


You can arrive on Sunday, May 111, and leave on Sunday, May 25. Your accommodations are covered for this period to allow you to arrive and leave with ease. (return to top)


6. Do I need a car?


No. Your housing is within walking distance to the Department of English, and there will be additional department people around for off-campus events, so these people can provide transportation. You might elect to have a car if you'd like to take full advantage of your free time on Sunday, May 20, and don't feel like carpooling. Otherwise, you can take a bus call a taxi. (return to top)


7. How can I get to and from the airport?


E-mail the student assistant, Susan Youngblood, with your flight numbers and arrival/departure times. She will arrange to either meet you at the airport herself or have another friendly face pick you up. (return to top)


8. How do I get access to the Student Recreation Center (SRC)?


Your student ID card will be your SRC pass. When you arrive and receive your ID card, meet with Susan to check whether or not your card has been activated for use at the SRC. If it has not, she will make the final arrangements.

More details about the SRC are posted below. (return to top)


9. How do I get a student ID card?


Although you can go into the ID office to have an ID made, you will not have much free time during business hours, especially at the beginning of the workshop. You might be better off ordering your ID card in advance; make sure you have it held at the university so it you don't risk having it arrive at your home after you leave for the workshop.

According to Dolores Harper, manager of the ID office and TechExpress (the system that allows students to put money on ID cards), here's how to order your ID online to have it ready for your arrival:


1. Have a friend take a digital photograph of you.
   • Frame the photo so you appear from the mid-chest up. See the sample ID picture with Raider Red (our university mascot) on the ID/TechExpress Web site. If you can't frame the photo quite right, leave extra space. The ID office can easily crop your photo a bit more, but it's difficult for them to add space around your head.
   • If possible, take the picture against a solid background. The background normally used by the ID/TechExpress office is blue, but another color will work as well.
   • Use a jpg format to capture the photo, or convert the photo to a jpg.
2. Send the picture, your name, and a brief request for an ID--explaining that you are a part of the English Online Ph.D. May Workshop--to raidercard@ttu.edu. Let them know that you need their office to either:
   • Hold onto your ID for you (you'll then have to have someone let you in and out of the residence hall until you pick up your ID on Monday), or
   • Send the ID to English (send to Susan Youngblood, Department of English, Box 43091) -- this would ensure that your ID is ready for you when you get here (rather than ending up at your house in the mailbox shortly after you arrive at Texas Tech)

Either option (mailing to English or keeping the ID at the ID/TechExpress office for pick up) is workable, but you'll have your ID (which is also your residence hall access card) on Sunday if you have it sent directly to Susan. (return to top)




10. Where should I go once I arrive?


When you get to campus, check into the residence hall. The main desk will be open from 1:00 to 6:00. If you arrive earlier or later, call Susan.

Map of Campus & Student Packet - This is a link to the quick reference handout. The second page has two maps (one of the entire campus and one close up of the area around Carpenter/Wells); they may take a second to appear when you open the document. I've labeled this map to help you find Carpenter Wells and other important locations. Ignore the dark lines: they're lines that label different zones of campus. You can enter the Carpenter/Wells parking lot using the Flint St. entrance.

Answers: Items to Bring (return to top)

1. What special clothing and incidentals should I pack?
   
   If you're not familiar with Lubbock area, you may be in for a surprise in terms of weather. A common expression in this area is, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute: it'll change." It's hard to predict what the weather conditions will be like during the workshop, but you can keep watch at Yahoo Weather (forecast for Lubbock).
   
   You will attend at least one outdoor event, attend many events in air-conditioned rooms, and walk across campus to change venues. Spring here can have wild temperature variations. We are at approximately 3250 feet above sea level, and the area is high plains, so the temperature can change 30 plus degrees over the course of the day.
   
   The average low for May is 56 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average high is 83 degrees. This is what you can generally expect. But the record low for May (long ago) is 29 degrees, and the record high is 105 degrees. (Note: Go to the online temperature converter to be wowed by these temperatures in Celcius). We can't say with certainty that we won't experience some unusual highs or lows.
   
   Also, almost all restaurants, museums, and facilities on campus are heavily air conditioned, but the residence halls can be a bit unpredictable, so be prepared for the shifts. Consider bringing the following to make your stay more pleasant:
   
   
   • "Low business casual attire" for most days at the workshop (e.g., Dr. Carter will be wearing khakis and a short sleeve shirt on most days)
   • Shorts and lightweight shirts for excursions and outdoor events
   • Comfortable shoes for summer walking
   • A light sweater or jacket if you get cold in air conditioning
   • A lightweight overshirt for sunny days (the sun is strong here because of the latitude and altitude).
   • A warmer jacket or something you can add to your lightweight jacket for evenings (temperatures might drop as low as 40 degrees)
   • Sunscreen (if you are prone to sunburns).
   • Moisturizer (if you are prone to having dry skin).
   • Lip balm
   • A hat (if you are prone to sunburns)
   • Rain-safe shoes -- It doesn't often rain, but Lubbock has had a wet year, and the drainage on campus doesn't always keep up with the volume of rain.
   • Sunglasses
   • Glasses (rather than or in addition to contacts): on a windy day, the wind will pick up sandy soil. Blowing dirt can cause problems for contact wearers on these days.
   • A cell phone. Housing no longer provides phones in each room. There is a corded phone on each floor of the facility you're staying in, but you may prefer to have a cell phone for privacy.
   
   Tip: You will have laundry facilities available where you stay, so pack accordingly.
   
   Also consider bringing the following:
   
   
   • Something like a blazer to dress up your wardrobe for your presentation and for meeting with First-Year Review or Annual Review committees (if it would make you feel more comfortable--up to you)
   • Work-out clothing (including sneakers) if you plan to use the Student Recreation Center (there will be an extra fee, and this will take a day to set up).
   • A hair dryer (if you consider this item a necessity)
   • Laundry detergent (if you are driving and don't want to pay the high Laundromat prices for detergent)
   • An extra pillow and blanket (Housing provides one blanket and pillow per person but has agreed to make up the extra bed in each bedroom, so you should have the extras you need. If you really like your own pillow or you tend to get cold easily, though, consider bringing these items).
   • A small desk lamp (each desk has a fluorescent light built in, but you may prefer a more warmer, more direct light source to work by).
   • If you're driving, you might bring a few kitchen supplies. Although appliances are provided, other kitchen supplies (pans and utensils) generally are not.  (return to top)
    
2. What should I bring for my class?
   
   
   • Your textbook, if you already bought it online. The textbook will also be available in the campus bookstore if you can't get it in advance.
   • A notebook and pencil/pen if you'd like to take notes. (return to top)
    
3. Are there any other academic materials I should bring?
   
   
   • A conference presentation for the "mini-conference" the second week (or the 1st week if you're in the Frodos cohort).
   • A storage device for your presentation materials (USB or CD if you aren't using online storage). Alternatively, you can use your TechDrive (100 MB of free storage). You can activate your TechDrive at Raiderlink (see the Raiderlink Portal tab).
   • A laptop and peripherals, like an Ethernet cable, are optional.  (return to top)
      
4. Do I need to bring a computer? What peripherals should I bring?
   
   Computer: Optional but recommended. You might want to bring a laptop for in-bedroom computer access 24/7.
   
   Computers are available at a number of places on campus. You can work on the computers at, among other places, the Department of English, in the Carpenter/Wells, Chitwood/Weymouth, and Sneed Residence Hall Complex computer labs (which are available to you 24 hours a day: use your conference card to gain access), or at the University Library. For more labs (and information about lab hours), see the ATLC's Computing Labs page. Be aware that the university and its labs are open for limited hours during the workshop, and Sneed Hall, which ordinarily would be the most convenient to Gordon Hall (where you're staying), will be temporarily closed. See the notes about accommodations and inconveniences below.
   
   If you prefer working on your own computer, having a computer in your room, or having easy 24 hour access, consider bringing a laptop. (return to top)
   
   Peripherals: If you bring a laptop, you should bring a wireless card and Ethernet cable.
   
   The campus is rapidly moving toward campus-wide wireless access (except for the residence halls). The English/Philosophy building is one of the many places with 100% wireless coverage, but it can be tricky to set up. Instructions for setting up your wireless access are available from IT Help Central. Links to instructions are located on their TTU Campus Wireless Project page; this also includes a list of buildings that have wireless coverage.
   
   There is no wireless access in the residence hall, but there are Ethernet ports. If you want to use your own computer in this facility, bring an Ethernet cable (Chad, our IT guru, recommends bringing one that is at least 12 feet long). (return to top)

Answers: Places to Go

1. What are the local taxi companies?
   
   
   • City Cab, 806-765-7474
   • Sexton Enterprises, Inc., 806-765-5456
   • Yellow Cab, 806-765-7777 (return to top)
    
2. Where is the nearest drug store?
   
   The closest drug store is the CVS Pharmacy on the corner of 19th Street and Memphis Ave.
   
   
   • Store hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
   • Pharmacy hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.,   Sat. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.,   Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
   
   According to Yahoo's directions to CVS from the intersection nearest the English/Philosophy building, CVS is 1.2 miles away. If you're looking for a store that's closer open 24 hours or is closer to the residence hall, see the directions to the new Wal-Mart below. (return to top)
    
3. Where is the nearest convenience store?
   
   There are several Sam's Place convenience/dining stores on campus.  (return to top)
    
4. Where is the nearest Wal-Mart?
   
   There is a new Wal-Mart near campus. It's located at 1911 4th Street. It's about 1.4 miles from the Department of English according to Yahoo's directions from the intersection nearest English/Philosophy (Yahoo sends you around the campus) or 1 mile from the Gordon Hall parking lot according to Yahoo's directions from 8th St. and University Ave.  (return to top))
    
5. Where can I do my laundry?
   
   There is a Laundromat in the residence hall. Costs per load:
   
   
   • Washing: $1.00
   • Drying: $0.75
   
   Other laundry supplies, like detergent and fabric softener, are available at a nearby CVS pharmacy (19th and Memphis) or nearby Wal-Mart.  (return to top))
    
6. Where can I attend religious services?
   
   Lubbock has places of worship for Protestant, Catholic, Unitarian, Jewish, Muslim, and Baha'i worshipers. Look in the Yellow Pages (available to use in the office) if you're interested in attending a religious service.
   
   A sample of Lubbock's religious congregations (those with Web sites) is listed on the Dallas Magazine posting about Lubbock.
   
   If you are having trouble finding what you are looking for, please contact the graduate coordinator, who will be happy to look into other denominations/religions if you need help finding an appropriate religious service.  (return to top)
    
7. What type of recreation is available?
   
   Recreation?  What's that? (return to top)

Sneak Peek

1. What is the new course like?
   
   The relatively new course, New Media and Rhetoric, will be taught by Dr. Rich Rice. Last year, it delivered a fascinating look at new media. To learn more about the idea of the course (some of the teaching details have changed), download last year's course sneak peak podcast (MP3 format; 16.8 MB, 14:41 min).  (return to top)
    
2. What will we be our schedule?
   
   To see an overview of activities, go to the May Workshop Calendar. More detailed information will be available shortly. (return to top)
    
3. What does the campus look like?
   
   To get an overview of the campus, look at the Clickable Campus Map. The clickable map does not have a  legend with a scale, but it is approximately one mile from 4th Street to 19th Street (the main east-west streets displayed on the map). Here are a few useful landmarks and the clickable zones they are located in:
   
   
   • English/Philosophy Building (NW corner of Zone 11)
   • University Library (NE corner of Zone 11)
   • Gordon Hall, where you will be staying (E part of Zone 9)
   • Student Recreation Center (South-central part of Zone 6)
   • Merket Alumni Center, where free parking is available (SE part of Zone 12) -- note the distance to the Department of English and to Gordon Hall.
   
   The PDF parking map doesn't have as much detail, but it has a legend that lists all of the campus buildings.
   
   To view photos from all over campus, go to the TTU Sites and Sounds page.    (return to top)
    
4. What are the accommodations like?
   
   For a list of amenities, links to floor plans, and a selection of photos, go to Housing on Campus page and select Carpenter/Wells Complex from the drop-down list. For a few better photos of the outside of Carpenter/Wells, go to the Carpenter/Wells map page. 
   
   The rooms at Carpenter/Wells do not have bookcases. If you plan to bring many books, consider bringing a pair of sturdy bookends so you can line the back of your desk with books.
   
   The beds in Carpenter/Wells are extra-long twins. If you plan to bring linens, make sure you have the right size sheets.   (return to top)
   
   Linen Service:  You will have linen service, which includes sheets and towels. With this service, the university will change your sheets and towels every four days and supply your bathroom with toilet paper. If you like to change your linens more frequently than once every four days, consider bringing extra sheets, and make sure you have the right size sheets--the beds in the residence hall are extra-long twins--or bring two top sheets (one of which you can tuck around the mattress in lieu of a fitted sheet). (return to top)
    
5. What are the Student Recreation Center facilities like?
   
   The Student Recreation Center is a newly-remodeled and well-maintained facility. Browse the site. We've been looking for the virtual tour the site used to have; if you find it, please let Susan know so she can add a link. Thanks!
   
   The facility will be on an "Interim Schedule" during your stay. These hours have not yet been posted to the SRC Web site. The interim hours have not yet been posted by the SRC, but they are usually as follows:
   
   
   • Saturdays and Sundays: noon - 6:00 p.m.
   • Weekdays: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
   
   Be aware that the rock wall requires special training, and it is unlikely that you can have previous training approved during your stay or have time for a scheduled training course.  (return to top)
    

Last Update: May 03, 2008