COMET Classroom Logistical Information

COMET^® The Cooperative Program for Operational
Meteorology, Education, and Training

Logistical Information

Date: 5 September 2007

To: Climate Variability 08-1 Workshop Attendees

From: COMET Classroom Staff (303) 497-8470

Subject: Important Information

For information on COMET courses contact cbet@comet.ucar.edu .

We have included some very important logistical information, linked at the left, that you will need to know. Please read the information carefully.

NOTE: Each of you is responsible for making your own hotel reservation.

As soon as you know your travel plans, please make your lodging reservations at the Homewood Suites, (303) 499-9922, no later than 6 October 2007. Students, please refer to the code CVS when making your reservation. More specific details on housing can be found on the COMET lodging page.

COMET STUDENT CHECKLIST

Travel Arrangements - You will need to make your own travel arrangements. Your travel authorization code is 20-02-0000-06-93-00-00 F8M5J10 P5M . You are now required to send in the front page of your travel orders and the front page of your final voucher either by e-mail to: orlando.epps@noaa.gov or by fax to: 301-713-1598 ATTN Orlando Epps.
Hotel Reservation Information - Please make your hotel reservations by 6 October 2007.
Reservations can also be made at the following link: Homewood Suites Reservations
Enter your dates of stay, room prefrence and the Group/Convention Code (CVS).
Student Registration - Please register by 6 October 2007.
Transportation - It is important that we know how many students will require the use of the COMET vans, so that we can make the necessary arrangements before you arrive. Please note on the Participant Registration questionnaire whether you will be using the COMET vans for local transportation, or if you have other transportation. Please read the Van Usage Policy.
Van Drivers - COMET provides minivans for the students who need transportation. The driver's responsibility is primarily to shuttle students to and from class each day. However, the vans are available for use locally for such things as dinner and short outings. All use of the vans after class is at the discretion of the drivers who have committed to driving to and from class each day. If you are willing to be a volunteer driver, please fax a legible copy of your driver's license and a signed Van Usage Policy form to Michelle Harrison at (303) 497-8346. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
First Day Information - Plan to meet your driver in the lobby of the hotel by 7:30 am on Tuesday 6 November 2007. It is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that everyone is in the van before it leaves for class. In addition to the online Van Pool lists, a printout of the list will be left at the Homewood Suites to be picked up when you arrive. If you do not plan to ride in the van, please notify your driver.
Last Day Information - You are required to attend the entire course. The class is scheduled to end at 5:00 pm on Thursday, 8 November 2007. The earliest you can get to the airport (DIA) leaving on the 5:30 pm shuttle from COMET (or from Homewood Suites between 5:30-5:50 pm) is 7:10 pm. You then need to allow 1.5 hours for check-in and security screening. Therefore, it would be difficult to leave on the 8th for many. If you are planning to fly home on the 8th, we suggest that you schedule your flight for after 8:40 pm.

Keep in mind that Friday, 9 November is a designated travel day. The earliest you would be able to leave the Homewood Suites using the Boulder SuperShuttle on Friday, 9 November would be between 4:30-4:50 am, arriving at the airport around 6:10 am. Airport officials recommend up to 1.5 hours for check-in and security. We suggest that the earliest departures from DIA be 7:40 am or later.
Registration Fee - A registration fee of $20 will be collected on the first day of class. Please be prepared to pay this registration fee with cash or a check made out to UCAR. This fee covers the cost of miscellaneous items provided by COMET. A receipt will be provided that you can submit on your travel voucher.
Cancellation - If you find that you will not be able to attend the course as scheduled, please notify us as soon as possible.

We in the COMET Program hope you enjoy your visit to Boulder and that your experience in the course is worthwhile. If you have any questions, concerns or problems, please let us know. The COMET main phone number is (303) 497-8470. You should give this number to your co-workers and family so they can leave messages or contact you in the case of an emergency. Messages will be delivered to you as quickly as possible.