The Dickens Universe 2009

General information for Universe participants

WEATHER AND CLOTHING
Santa Cruz has a very mild climate, although it can sometimes be rather hot during the Universe week (temps in the 80s, low humidity). A perfect day starts out foggy and cool, turns sunny and warm about mid-morning, and cools down again in the evening. Fashion mavens will layer, layer, layer. Rain in August is an anomaly, although we have had some drizzle at night in the past. It's safe to leave your umbrellas and rain coats at home, but definitely bring a sweater, jacket, or sweatshirt (or buy one of ours!).

The atmosphere at the Universe and in Santa Cruz, is very casual and comfortable. Do bring shoes that are comfortable for walking. UCSC is full of trails both paved and not, and there are few flat areas.

We host a Victorian Dance on Friday night and you're welcome to dress in costume, or just show up in light, comfortable clothes. It can be very warm during the Dance.

Participants can use the pool on the East side of campus for a small additional daily charge and there are tennis courts on both the West and East sides.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Good news! The Owl's Nest Cafe at Kresge will be open between 10 and 2 M-F. This means you may get lunch there without having to go to the Dining Hall, but you will have to purchase it as they do not accept meal cards.

You will be housed in shared apartments at Kresge proper or across the bridge in Kresge East. The configuration of apartments varies from two single rooms sharing one bath, to four single rooms sharing one bath, to a combination of single and double rooms sharing two baths. Bedrooms have Ethernet hookups (bring your own cable) and the campus also has wi-fi available to guests. Each apartment has a common living room and kitchen area. Stoves are turned off in the summer, but you may use the refrigerator and sink. We will set out coffee in a central location each morning at 8:00, but caffeine junkies should bring a small coffee maker.

This is a college, so rooms are small and efficient. Each person is issued two towels and one washcloth. We also provide bathmats. Your bed will have sheets, a pillow, and a thermal blanket. There is a limited supply of extra blankets and we have extra hangers. Apartments are heated but there is no air-conditioning on campus.

If you're driving and want to spend the week in relative luxury, bring your favorite pillow, an extra blanket (or down comforter), lots of hangers, and nice thick towels.

The apartments do not have TVs, radios, or alarm clocks.

We endeavor to fulfill your housing requests to the extent that we can, so please tell us if you're a very light sleeper, or you snore like a freight train, or are apt to converse with yourself during the night. We'll see what we can do. If you have other needs, such as a ground floor apartment or grab bars in the bathroom, please download and print the Accommodation Form. Smoking is not allowed in any of the buildings.

Anyone with mobility or breathing concerns should call the Project office (831 459-2103). There is a LOT of walking involved and there are hills.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD
If you bring a laptop, it should either have an Ethernet card, to take advantage of the E-net connection in the apartment, or you should know a local dial-up number for your internet provider. You may also ask for the guest wi-fi log in instructions at the Conference Office. Bring your own cables. We try to make two or three Macs available in a central location for everyone to use, but there can be a bit of a wait during busy times. Printing is sent to the Project's printer in our temporary office. A small photocopier is also available by prior arrangement with staff.

The Conference Office has indicated that phone service in the apartments may no longer be provided since most folks now bring cell phones. Kresge still has a pay phone available up by the Town Hall.

You may give your family the Dickens Project office number (831 459-2103), or the Kresge Satellite Conference Office number. The Project and the satellite office will take messages and post them in a central place. If you need to receive a fax while you're here you may have it sent to the Project fax (831 459-4424) at no charge.

OTHER HANDY THINGS TO BRING
There is a laundry room at Kresge proper. The washers and dryers take three quarters each (45-minute dry time). Change is usually available from the Project office, but it's probably good to bring quarters just in case. The office can also provide soap at no charge, since there are no dispensers in the laundry area.

The campus can be very dark at night, so bring a small flashlight.

By all means, bring a camera. It's beautiful here and you're bound to see interesting things and make many new friends.

Definitely bring your already-read Penguin edition of David Copperfield.

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