ResNet Symposium 2009

Frequently Asked Questions




Q: Where will the check-in/registration/information desk be located?
A: The Registration & Information Desk is located in Sherburne Hall. This is where all attendees must check-in for the symposium. Those staying in the residence halls will also check-in at the same location. There will be signs on campus directing persons to Sherburne.

Desk Hours:

If you are staying in the residence halls and know you will be arriving outside of the posted desk hours, please e-mail host@resnetsymposium.org in advance of your travels.

Q: Where will I meet the airport shuttle?
A: If you are arriving to the St Cloud Airport and have purchased shuttle service, please look for a host committee member with a ResNet 2009 sign.  Please note, we have only arranged space for those who have signed up for a shuttle.  The shuttle will bring you to your hotel or directly to campus.

If you are arriving to the Minneapolis Airport and have purchased the Executive Express shuttle, please check with Executive Express to determine where you should meet the shuttle. SCSU has partnered with Executive Express (View Flyer) to provide shuttle service related to the Minneapolis Airport. Arrangements must be made in advance with Executive Express in order to use this shuttle service. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Executive Express. You may contact them at 888-522-9899. The shuttle driver will drop you off at Sherburne Hall on campus or at your hotel. Be sure to inform the driver of where you need to be dropped off.

Q: What are the driving instructions for SCSU?
A: The following driving instructions will bring you to Public Safety (526 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301) at SCSU where you may purchase a parking pass. You will be instructed where to park on campus by Public Safety (see next question).

NOTE: If you plan to navigate by GPS, please be advised that downtown St Cloud currently has major roadway construction on Hwy 23 (division street) including the replacement of the Hwy 23 bridge over the Mississippi River. Follow posted detour signs or avoid Hwy 23 if possible. Those staying in a downtown hotel should check with their hotel to see if the hotel has an advised set of directions.

Q: Where can I park if I bring a vehicle?
A: A parking pass is required for parking in all St Cloud State University lots during the summer months. All persons bringing a car to campus will need to purchase a parking pass.

A parking pass may be purchased from Public Safety (located at Located at 526 Fourth Ave. S) once you have arrived on campus at St Cloud State University.

You will have the option to purchase a pass good for the number of days you will be on campus. Cost per vehicle is around $5.00 per day or around $25.00 for the symposium.

Note: If you are arriving to campus on Thursday, June 25th, please be aware that the SCSU campus is host to the Lemonade Concert and Art Fair, which brings over 10,000 people to campus during the day on Thursday. Please look for the ResNet 2009 signs posted near campus. All parking lots will be open during the event on Thursday so you may need to park where you can find a spot. Public Safety may request you move your vehicle in the evening.

Q: I am staying on-campus in the residence halls, what should I know and bring?
A: Those staying on campus will be staying in Lawrence or Sherburne Halls (housing page). Regardless of which residence hall you are staying in, check-in will be at the registration and information desk in Sherburne Hall. If you know you will be arriving outside of the posted desk hours (see Registration/Information Desk Information above), please e-mail host@resnetsymposium.org in advance of your travels.

Bed linens, pillow and towels will be provided in your room. In order to preserve resources, we have provided you with one set of clean towels for your stay. If you would like a fresh set, please bring your towels to the front desk in your residence hall.

Restroom facilities are shared (by gender) on each floor in the residence halls. You will need to bring your own toiletries (toothpaste, shaving cream, hair products, shampoo, soap, etc...). Hair dryers are not provided (although some Restrooms may have hand-dryers).

Coin operated laundry facilities are available in each residence hall.

Air-conditioning is only available in Lawrence Hall. Sherburne Hall is air-conditioned in the lobby and main lounge, but individual rooms are not. Rooms in Sherburne will have a box fan available.

If you are staying in Lawrence Hall, you will be able to access common areas in Sherburne such as the snack area, main lounge, information desk and symposium computer lab during building hours.

All SCSU residence halls rooms are equipped with data jacks and have wireless access. Common areas are also wireless enabled. Information on how to connect will be in your conference materials when you arrive.

Q: I am staying off-campus, how do I get to the symposium from my hotel?
A: ResNet 2009 will not be providing shuttles from area hotels. If you are planning on staying off-campus, please be prepared to arrange your own transportation to and from the campus.

NOTE: Please be advised that downtown St Cloud currently has major roadway construction on Hwy 23 (division street) including the replacement of the Hwy 23 bridge over the Mississippi River. Follow posted detour signs or avoid Hwy 23 if possible. Those staying in a downtown hotel should check with their hotel to see if the hotel has an advised set of directions.

Q: What should I expect for food and meals?
A: The majority of meals as well as breaks will be covered by the symposium excluding Sunday afternoon and where noted on the schedule.

The SCSU host committee has worked hard to ensure we have a selection of quality foods that will suit the needs of our attendees while maintaining our budget during these tough economic times. During registation, attendees were asked to note any special food needs such as vegitarian needs or food allergies. If you did not specify a need or allergy during registration, please contact us at host@resnetsymposium.org. We will try to accomodate you within reason, but may be limited in what we can provide with the proximity to the symposium start.

Additionally, there will be a light snack bar on the first floor of the Sherburne Residence Hall near the registration and check-in desk. The snack bar will be open during building hours. Feel free to stop in and grab a snack, but we ask you take only what you need in order to provide for everyone and keep costs down.

Q: What should I expect for the weather?
A: The weather this time of year is a bit unpredictable. Highs can range from the upper 60s to over 90 degrees fahrenheit, but on average the weather is sunny and about 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Temperatures may drop to near 60 degrees fahrenheit overnight so a sweater and a light jacket are good to bring along with you.  It is also common to have rain and thunderstorms this time of year and we recommend you have an umbrella or a rain coat/jacket.  All symposium activies (aside from a few breaks) are indoors, but there will be some walking between buildings.

If you're going on one of the outdoor afternoon activities, bring comfortable shoes and clothes as well as sunscreen. 

You may view current and extended St Cloud area weather forecasts here.

Q: What is the dress attire for the symposium?
A: Dress is casual throughout the symposium.

Q: Will there be a lot of walking at this symposium?
A: All of the primary symposium venues (keynote/closing location, presentation rooms, meal locations and on-campus housing) are directly adjacent to one another.

Q: What is the policy on alcohol on the SCSU campus?
A: Alcohol is not allowed on the SCSU campus including the residence halls. Please do not bring alcohol onto the campus or into the residence halls.

There are many nightlife options within walking distance of the campus. See the area attractions and things to do page for more information.

Q: What technology services will I have access to at the symposium?
A: If you are bringing your own laptop, you will be provided with access to the Internet via wireless services. The SCSU campus is fully wireless enabled. Additionally, those staying in residence halls will have access to the Internet via wired and wireless services.

Attendees will also be able to use general access computers and printers in Miller Center, Atwood and Stewart Hall during regular scheduled open hours.

ResNet 2009 will have a small computer lab available in the main floor of Sherburne with printing available for those not bringing a computer to the symposium.

Q: Where will the closing event be held?
A: The official closing ceremony and Vendor Raffle will take place on campus (see schedule for details) on Monday afternoon from 4:00pm to 5:00pm in Ritsche Auditorium.

The closing event reception and dinner will be from 6:00pm to 8:15pm Monday and will be held at the stunning Mi Famiglia, an Italian restaurant and event center located in historic downtown St. Cloud.

After dinner we will be heading across the street to the Paramount Theater and Visual Arts Center. This historic theater was renovated in the 1990s and is the cultural centerpiece of downtown St. Cloud.

At the Paramount we will be entertained by C. Willi Myles. This comedian and graduate of St. Cloud State, will have us in stitches. C Willi was born and raised in Alabama and has many funny stories and anecdotes about the culture shock of moving to Minnesota.

Busses will be available to transport attendees to and from the closing event downtown. Busses will depart for the event at 5:30pm and will return to campus at 9:30pm.

Q: Will I be able to use recreation facilities on campus?
A: You will have the option to purchase a $15 fitness center pass that includes use of the facilites located in the Student Recreation Center during regular scheduled hours. The pass is valid Friday, June 26 - Tuesday, June 30. Passes must be purchased at the Student Recreation Center. Individual pay passes are also available for $6 per day. Passes include: fitness center, pool, field house, raquetball/wallyball courts, locker rooms, and a brief orientation to facilities. You must present your name badge and symposium swipe card at the desk.

There are also many other no charge recreational activites listed on our Area Attractions and Things To Do page under the recreation, entertainment and sports section.

Q: Will there be places to run, hike or bike on or near campus?
A: Starting on the south end of campus is the Beaver Island Trail. The Beaver Island Trail is a constructed bike trail and pedestrian path from the north end of the regional Beaver Island Trail system, through the SCSU campus along the Mississippi River, ending with a connection to a bike route to the downtown area. It is runs along the upper portion of the bluff with incorporated scenic overlooks to take advantage of the spectacular views.

Within a short drive from campus is the Lake Wobegon Trail, a 46 mile long 10 foot wide paved pathway named for the fictional boyhood town of Garrison Keillor, host of "A Pairie Home Companion" radio show and 2006 film of the same name. Lake Wobegon is modeled after freeport, a city along the trail and within a 20 minute drive of St Cloud.

There are also many other recreational activites listed on our Area Attractions and Things To Do page under the recreation, entertainment and sports section.

Q: What is there to do in St Cloud and Minnesota?
A: St Cloud is a major center of tourism in central Minnesota. St. Cloud and its neighboring cities of Waite Park, Sauk Rapids, and Sartell offer a wide variety of recreation and entertainment as well as shopping opportunities.

St Cloud's local Granite City Days will be occuring during the symposium. On Thursday, June 25th, the SCSU campus hosts the Lemonade Concert and Art Fair which turns the SCSU campus into a large art and craft fair including many food and entertainment options. An outdoor concert is held later that evening. Granite city days also includes a block party, river run and the taste of St Cloud.

To see additional things to do in St Cloud and Minnesota, please see the Area Attractions and Things To Do page.

For those not signed up for a Sunday afternoon activity or not having already made plans for Sunday afternoon, if you are interested in local fishing, visiting a favorite State Park or trying your luck at a nice casino, you may consider a drive up to Lake Mille Lacs. Mille Lacs is famous for its walleye's and daily launch fishing trips on boats ranging in size from 30 to 72 feet long which can accommodate up to 48 people. These trips are primarily bobber fishing for walleye and perch. Cost is around $35 for the 4 hour launch plus fishing license (non-resident 24hr $8.50) and all equipment and bait is included. One launch service is located next to Kathio State Park ($5 daily vehicle pass) and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. So if a few ResNetters are interested in carpooling a trip to this location, there are multiple options. The drive is about 60 miles and would take about an hour and fifteen minutes. Launches run 1-5pm and 6-10pm daily and accept reservations or walk-on's if space available. A sample afternoon might include the 1-5pm launch trip followed by dinner at the casino followed by a climb up the 100ft fire tower at Kathio S.P. Or flip the schedule and do the 6-10pm launch and watch a beautiful sunset on the lake. Anyone looking for more information about this area or wanting to organize a carpool to head up to Lake Mille Lacs, contact Darrin Printy dprinty@stcloudstate.edu. Darrin fishes Mille Lacs and visits Kathio S.P. regularly. Also see links below for information.

Q: Does St Cloud have a mass transit system?
A: Yes. Travel around St. Cloud by Metro Bus. Fixed route service provided for the cities of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park, Monday through Saturday.

As an attendee or guest of ResNet 2009, you are able to use the Metro Bus system at no additional charge. You will need your symposium swipe card when boarding the bus.