Pre-Arrival Tips

(last updated on July 3, 2018)

Information for participants staying in Princeton University's Bloomberg Hall Dormitory

Information for participants staying in Princeton Theological Seminary

Information for participants staying in Institute for Advanced Study Housing 

 

 

What You Should Pack
Packing Hints

Meal Information

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Institute
Special Events
Local Restaurants
 

Institute Campus Information

Emergency Information
Information Desk
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Internet & Computer Access
Fax Services
Fuld Hall Common Room
Messages & Notices
Parking Options
Vending Machines

Other Helpful Information

Medical Information - Non-Critical Care; Emergency Room, Avoiding Lyme Disease; Local Pharmacies
Schedule of Program Events
Suggested Weekend Activities
Taxi Services
Bike Rentals
Purchasing Necessities

 

 

What You Should Pack
Packing Hints

The weather in Princeton, New Jersey at the end of July can be quite warm and humid. However, most buildings are air-conditioned.

We strongly suggest you pack the following clothing and other items that would be difficult and/or expensive to purchase locally.

  • A cell phone (with an international calling plan activated, if necessary) – there will be NO phone service available in the dormitory.
  • A cell phone charger
  • FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS: a power converter and plug adapter that is compatible with the United States’ electrical system. Click here for more information.
  • A pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes – it is about a 30 minute walk from the dormitory to the Institute campus
  • An umbrella – thunderstorms are frequent in July
  • A sweater or light jacket – the temperature in the lecture hall may be cooler than you prefer
  • A bathing suit (weather permitting – there will be a pool party one evening)
  • An alarm clock or phone with alarm clock capabilities
  • A hairdryer
  • A bath towel
  • A wash cloth

Princeton University will provide you with 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 2 sheets, 1 blanket and 2 small towels.

The dress code is informal during the program.

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Meal Information

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Institute

For participants staying in the program-arranged accommodations, PiTP will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner in Simons Hall on weekdays during the program. Breakfast service will last from 8:00 am – 9:00 am. Lunch will be served from 12:45 pm – 2:15 pm (food service will last from 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm); dinner will be served at 6:00pm It is important to make sure your name badge is visible during meals, as your badge will serve as your meal ticket.

Special Events

A Welcome Dinner will be held on Monday, July 16th. All participants are welcome.

PiTP participants are invited to join IAS Members for a Soccer Day on Saturday, July 21nd at 10am. Cold waters and soccer balls will be provided.  Participants are encouraged to bring sunblock, and a light and dark colored shirt. 

A Pool and Pizza Party will be held during the second week of the program at the Director of the Institute’s home. 

A trip to a Trenton Thunder Baseball game has been organized for the second week of the program. 

Local Restaurants

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Institute Campus Information

Emergency Information

For police, fire or medical emergencies, dial 9-911 from any Institute campus phone. Please note that if you dial 911 in error, do NOT hang up. Wait for the emergency dispatcher to come on the line and explain that it was a misdial. If you hang up before speaking with the dispatcher, emergency services will be dispatched to investigate the call.

If an individual has stopped breathing or is suspected of having a heart attack, call 911 and then:

  • Weekdays: Contact a nearby IAS staff or Faculty member
  • Evenings or weekends: Call extension 5460 from an Institute phone to reach IAS Public Safety or dial +1-609-947-5940.

The Institute has placed Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in several locations around campus. Placed on the side of each box is a list of trained users. AED locations include:

  • Fuld Hall (main lobby)
  • Wolfensohn Hall (main lobby)
  • Simonyi Hall (1st floor near lobby)
  • Dining Hall (hallway near elevator)
  • Bloomberg Hall (main lobby near elevator)
  • Historical Studies-Social Sciences Library (main lobby near elevator)

 

Information Desk

There will be an Information Desk located in Bloomberg Hall, Office 142. Katie Keith, the PiTP Program Assistant, will be available during program breaks between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday-Friday. Katie can also be reached at 609-734-8198 or pitp@ias.edu.

There will also be Institute staff assisting during lectures and meals. They will be wearing nametags with “Staff” on them. The Reception Desk in Fuld Hall is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week either by a receptionist or a Public Safety Officer.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

If participants need access to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) while on the Institute campus, there is one located in the basement of Fuld Hall. PLEASE NOTE: Only plan to use this machine for SMALL withdrawals for unexpected expenses. It will not be able to support large cash withdrawals. In addition, the machine only allows withdrawals if the user’s financial institution is a member of one of the participating networks below. Please be aware that banks may charge additional fees for this service, including currency conversion fees.

There is also an ATM located in the WaWa on Alexander Street in Princeton.

Participating Networks:

  • AFFN
  • American Express
  • Cirrus
  • Diners Club Entertainment
  • Discover
  • The Exchange
  • Maestro
  • MasterCard
  • NYCE
  • Quest
  • Plus
  • Pulse
  • Star
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

Internet & Computer Access

Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop for the program.

If participants cannot bring a laptop or experience problems with their laptop during the program, there are 4 systems running OS X available in the IAS Bloomberg Hall Physics Library.

NOTE: Participants coming from outside the US must be sure to bring a power converter and plug adapter that is compatible with the US electrical system.

 

WIRELESS

Use of a laptop or other personal computing devices on the IAS network requires the completion of a small registration procedure. It is not necessary, or even possible, to register before your visit. When you arrive, select IAS from the available wireless SSID's. The registration page will automatically appear when an Internet browser is launched. Click "Continue as Guest." Your system will be registered (this process may take a minute or two). If participants encounter any difficulty, instructions can be found here.

 

 

Fax Services

 

There is a fax machine in the Reception Office on the first floor of Fuld Hall. The incoming fax number is +1-609-924-8399. If a participant is expecting to receive a fax during the program, please ensure that the participant’s name is clearly indicated along with “in care of: Katie Keith.” Please note that faxes received in the evening will not be distributed until the following business day. Please do NOT have any faxes sent later than Thursday, July 26th.

A receptionist is also available to send faxes out for participants between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm. A fax cover page must accompany all requests for transmittals. A supply of cover pages can be found at the Reception desk. There is a charge for outgoing faxes.

Fuld Hall Common Room

The Common Room in Fuld Hall is open to PiTP participants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is an excellent selection of domestic and foreign newspapers and periodicals in this room. Participants are welcome to enjoy these publications, but note that they are NOT to be removed from the Common Room.

Messages & Notices

There will be PiTP bulletin boards positioned in the IAS Bloomberg Hall Common Room and the Wolfensohn Hall lobby. Messages to participants about special activities and the day’s events will be posted there. Please be certain to check the bulletin boards a few times a day. Program schedule changes or other important announcements will also be posted on the PiTP webpage, the Institute’s Twitter page (@the_IAS) and the PiTP Facebook group. 

Parking Options

Participants will find free parking in Lots A and B  on the Institute campus. No parking sticker is required.

Vending Machines

Vending machines with beverages and snacks are located on the lower level of Fuld Hall and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

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Other Helpful Information

Medical Information - Non-Critical CareEmergency RoomAvoiding Lyme DiseaseLocal Pharmacies

Non-critical Care

 

If a participant falls ill or experiences a minor injury while on the Institute campus, and it is a weekday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Human Resources Staff (located in Fuld Hall) can be consulted. They will be able to explain the medical treatment options available through the University Medical Center at Princeton Plainsboro Occupational Health Office. Please note that the Medical Center’s hours end at 3:00 pm.

The Medical Center does not deal with any insurance companies, so participants are advised to bring a credit card, as they will be responsible for payment at the time of services. The Medical Center will issue a receipt, which can be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement from an out-of-network provider, if possible. 

For assistance in the evening, or when participants are on Princeton University’s campus, the options are:

  • Princeton Primary and Urgent Care Center – 707 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction, +1-609-919-0009.
    • Hours:
      • Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
      • Sunday: CLOSED

Walk-ins are welcome, but it is recommended to call the office before going. The center is about a 10-minute car ride away. Participants should bring a credit card in case the Urgent Care Center is unable to directly bill the patient’s insurance plan or does not accept the insurance plan.

 

  • Minute Clinic at CVS Pharmacy – 881 State Highway 206, Princeton, NJ (NOTE: This is not the CVS on Nassau Street in the Center of Princeton. This CVS is approximately a 10-minute car ride away.), +1-609-683-3680.
    • Hours:
      • Monday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
      • Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
      • Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
      • Thursday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
      • Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
      • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

NOTE: The last patient sign-in is 15 minutes prior to the clinic closing. However, the clinic will stop accepting new sign-ins earlier if the number of patients waiting extends beyond the clinic closing time.

The Minute Clinic is a walk-in medical clinic staffed by nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants who provide treatment for common family illnesses and injuries. Patients are responsible for either their insurance co-pay or the price listed on the Minute Clinic menu of fees. Patients are requested to contact their insurance provider before visiting to verify coverage. If a patient is uninsured or prefers to pay out of pocket, a credit card or sufficient cash is required.

 

Emergency Room

The nearest hospital emergency room is located at the Penn Medicine for Princeton Medical Center. The hospital is located at One Plainsboro Road in Plainsboro and can be reached by calling +1-609-853-7700. NOTE: Emergency room visits can be very expensive and any costs incurred will be the responsibility of the participant or his/her insurance company. Participants should bring a medical insurance card and information, as well as a credit card, if a visit to the emergency room is required.

 

Avoiding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected deer ticks. Deer ticks are very prevalent in New Jersey. To avoid exposure, it is best to avoid sitting in grassy areas or walking around without shoes. Lyme disease is often recognized by a bulls-eye rash. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain and other flu-like symptoms. While the rash is a classic symptom, Lyme disease does not always present with the rash. Thus, if a participant experiences flu-like symptoms, it is recommended to consult a physician. More detailed information on Lyme disease can be found here

 

Local Pharmacies

The Princeton Pharmacy is located at 36 University Place, just up the street from the Princeton Train Station.

  • Hours:
    • Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    • Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 

There is also a CVS Pharmacy in downtown Princeton at 172 Nassau Street. The store is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, but the pharmacy hours are:

  • Monday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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Schedule of Program Events

All lectures will be given in Wolfensohn Hall. Any unexpected or last minute changes will be posted on the PiTP webpage, the PiTP Facebook group and on a flyer on the PiTP bulletin boards. A schedule is available on the PiTP website under "Program Information."

Suggested Weekend Activities

For individuals staying in the dorms or local lodging over the weekend of July 21-22, a list of local area activities is available here.

Taxi Services

The following local taxi services are familiar with the Institute and Princeton:

AAA Taxi - +1-609-921-1177

Associated Taxi Stand - +1-609-924-1222

Bike Rentals

Princeton has recently joined with Zagster to establish a bike share and rental program in the town. For a $20 membership fee and a charge of $2 per hour for any trip lasting longer than two hours, members can stop by one of the bike share kiosks and pick up a bike. Kiosks are located throughout the downtown Princeton area and the university campus and are a convenient and inexpensive way to get around.

You can learn more by visiting the Zagster website. 

 

Purchasing Necessities

There are two stores very close to the dorm where participants can buy basic items. The Princeton University Store is located at 36 University Place. It is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm and on Sundays from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. The store sells pens, paper, basic toiletries, laundry detergent, makeup and makeup remover, some over-the-counter medications, snacks and drinks.

There is also a Wawa Convenience Store located on Alexander Road, just south of the circle and University Place. It is located in the parking lot of the train station. Wawa is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It sells sandwiches and snacks (both hot and cold), drinks and a limited variety of fruits. Wawa also has an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

 

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