HOUSING

[tara]

we're working on seeing if a limited number of people can stay on our campus, in dorms, lounges, common spaces, with hosts, etc.

we're also researching places in Amherst that will let groups crash in their space - churches, community centers, etc.

there's also the possibility of hosts at some of the other close schools - UMass, Amherst, Smith, etc.

but some people will be needing to stay at local motels, hotels, b&b, etc. so be prepared everyone! more info coming...

[bluehairsar]

I could probably put a few folks up in my apt.

And this is going to be in the spring... any possibility of camping? Would hampshire allow "camping" to happen on it's grounds?

[tara]

the official word is that we can't arrange on-campus housing for conference guests as a student-run conference. and no camping allowed on Hampshire grounds!

HOWEVER we can arrange to have Hampshire students volunteer to register a limited number of conference attendees as their guests (as per normal Hampshire College housing policy). This will be a very limited number, though! Mostly likely these arrangements will be on a first-come-first-served basis once we open registration.

We're now researching reserving rooms at a nearby hotel on the bus route about 10 minutes away, and trying to find local organizations (churches, community centers, etc.) who are willing to volunteer floor space if conference attendees would rather a free place to crash with sleeping bags...

And we'll definitely keep updating as we know more!

[simplycircus]

Most hotels will not only reserve a block of rooms, they will usually give a discount and even offer shuttle service from the hotel to the conference in exchange for being named as the official hotel.

Churches are unlikely to make such arrangements unless you have a member of your group that is also an active member of the church. On the other hand, if you have a member of your group that is an active member of a local church, you can usually ask the churches membership for home-stay host families.

Oh, you may want to ask the college specifically about housing presenters. Sometimes colleges will make a limited number of rooms available specifically for presenters.

[Ringmaster]

We've found a hotel who will be reserving a block of rooms for us (details will be available on the registration site, when that's running).

[tara]

Presenters are being housed in hotels, but we'd love for students to use this thread to hook up with Hampshire students they can stay with - then we can all make friends, too!