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Table of Contents Letter from the Officers of GESO The Joys of New Haven Staying Put and Leaving New Haven |
to Yale & New Haven 1999
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Table of Contents Letter from the Officers of GESO The Joys of New Haven Staying Put and Leaving New Haven |
to Yale & New Haven 1999
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Letter from the Officers of GESO
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Fall, 1999 The Graduate Employees and Students Organization Dear incoming graduate student, On behalf of the membership of GESO, the Graduate Employees and Students Organization at Yale, welcome to New Haven. GESO was founded in 1990 by a group of graduate students who felt the need for an established union of teachers and scholars at Yale. We work to improve the conditions of graduate student life, to resolve issues related to our employment as teachers and researchers, and to secure these improvements in writing. We have prepared this guide in the hope that it will help you find your way around Yale and New Haven. We have tried to provide enough information to start you off on the right foot, as well as some tips that will be surprisingly handy when you re-discover this guide stuffed under a pile of books three years from now. The "GESO Guide" is not, paradoxically, the guide to GESO. A separate GESO membership handbook explains in more depth how GESO works, what we have accomplished, and how you can help us continue winning. In addition, there is a plethora of information at our web site. Go to: A GESO organizer from your department should be contacting you soon, to introduce you to GESO, Yale and New Haven. Most of the questions you have can probably be answered by your organizer. In any case, feel free to stop by or call the union office if you have any additional questions&endash; and even if you don't. Best of luck,
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GESO is the largest group that represents grad students at Yale. It may also be the most famous grad student union in the country. Last year alone, our efforts to improve grad student life at Yale -- and to focus attention on the dilemmas facing young academics -- were covered in papers like the New York Times (five times and counting), in magazines ranging from The New Republic to Physics Today, and even on National Public Radio.
GESO works by a basic rule: we ask everyone what they care about, then take action together to ensure that Yale becomes a better university, a fairer employer, and a generally more humane place. Under GESO pressure, the University has taken the following steps forward in the last few years:
GESO also operates as a kind of professional organization for graduate students, raising the issues that we face as young academics looking for a job after grad school. Last year, we published a report ("Casual in Blue") which documented how Yale and universities across the country have turned away from employing full-time tenure-track faculty and are now relying on adjunct faculty and grad students for their teaching needs. The report received favorable coverage in press outlets ranging from The New York Times to the Yale Alumni Magazine. This year, we hope to broaden this campaign against "casualization" -- the increasing use of adjunct faculty and researchers, who work with little stability and benefits, to perform the vital work of American universities.
We're still working on a host of issues, many of which could have a huge impact on the quality of graduate student life. To wit:
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The Art & Architecture Café |
Take the A&A building elevator to the top floor, 9:00-4:30 daily, to enjoy the best view of Yale, assorted Yale Dining Hall fare, and eavesdrop on art & architecture students. |
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The Cash Machine on Old Campus |
Enter Old Campus from College, through Phelps Gate, take two hard rights, and get some cash. |
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Lighthouse Point Park |
Take Exit 50 off of 95 North, or Grand Street to Ferry Street, follow signs to the park, and enjoy the antique carousel and the New England shoreline they promised you in the brochures. |
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The Sculpture Garden |
As you are coming onto campus from Chapel on High Street, follow signs to the Art Gallery Lecture Hall, go down the pathway, through an entry way, and up some steps, and you'll find yourself in one of the most peaceful spots on campus. |
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Pasta Cosí |
OK, it's not exactly in New Haven. A wonderful Italian-style bistro, near the Branford shoreline. Gourmet food -- pillowy homemade pasta, fresh seafood -- at a very reasonable price; you can bring your own wine or beer. |
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Indochine Pavilion |
A standout among the cornucopia of Southeast Asian restaurants, at the corner of Park and Chapel. There's a $5 lunch buffet, seven days a week, to help you sample the delicacies. |
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The New Haven Ravens |
A good cheap way to have beer and hot dogs, and watch (or ignore) baseball from real close-up. The season runs April-August. |
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Tweed Airport |
Why commute to JFK, La Guardia or Bradley when Tweed is a mere 15 minutes from campus? There's only one gate, and you even get to watch the plane land and its passengers disembark while standing behind a tall fence, just like in the movies . . . |
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Edgerton Park |
Up St. Ronan Street (which becomes Edgehill) until you get to a long gray stone wall, it's small, peaceful, and off of the beaten path. |
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The Crypt at Center Church. |
A bunch of dead folks from the 17th century are buried underneath the church in the middle of the green. Go on the tour and find Benedict Arnold's first wife. |
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The Bryn Mawr Bookshop. |
Tons of cheap, used books. You'll have to browse and search through a lot of stuff, though. In the alleyway off Whitney across from Audobon St. Open Tu-Sat from 11-4pm. |
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West Rock Park. |
Great views of New Haven, but unlike the more-popular East Rock Park, this one's never crowded, is bigger, and has a great network of trails too. Try the 45-minute loop that starts at a baseball field at the base of the cliff. |
Downtown: Chapel St. Area
Downtown: Spittin' Distance from Campus
Downtown: the Howe St. gourmet ghetto
Downtown: Below Science Hill
State Street/Wooster Square Area
Out of New Haven But Worth the Road Trip
Caffeine! Bagels! Scones!
Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Pastries
Theaters
Museums and Galleries
Clubs and Concerts
One look at Yale and New Haven telephone poles will tell you that there not only an active union here but an active music scene as well. Another partial selection follows, but you'll again want to consult the Advocate, its "Musicbox" in particular.
Bars
New Haven's music scene isn't just in its clubs, but in its bars as well; again, the Advocate ...
Creative Arts
Cinemas
Film Societies and other cheaper alternatives
Video Stores
Shopping for Food, Books and Other Basic Necessities
Smaller Specialty Grocers
Bookstores
Fixing Up your New Place
There are good local hardware stores:
There are also larger ones off the highway:
Getting New Stuff for your New Place
Getting Used Stuff for your New Place
The Graduate Housing Department (155 Whitney) can help you find an apartment or room to rent on or off campus:
Click here for on-campus housing
Click here for off-campus housing
Most graduate students live in the Wooster Square and Science Hill areas, bounded roughly by Whitney, State, Trumbull, and Cold Spring. Mannsfield St. is also quite nice, with a diverse neighborhood and community gardens. Westville offers a quiet, inexpensive neighborhood, but it's not on the shuttle route, so you need a bike or car.
If you prefer graduate housing the dorms provide an easy way to get to know your fellow grad students. Helen Hadley is much less expensive than HGS, because HGS includes a mandatory dining service. The houses on Prospect St. and the graduate apartments often cost slightly more than market price, so you're usually better off finding your own place, if you have the time and energy.
Safety
If you are concerned about how safe it will be to live in a particular area, you can request from the Yale police (432-4400) a crime record for area.
Navigating Yale's Libraries
Getting around On-Line
Orbis is the on-line directory that gives info on everything purchased since 1977. Much of the pre-1977 material is also on Orbis, but you might have to check the card catalog.
A book may be available in several libraries but show only one location on Orbis (that is, the libraries put materials on-line separately). SML's card catalogs show the holdings of every library, but new cards haven't been added to them in several years.
To get to ORBIS, go to: http://www.library.yale.edu/pubstation/workstat.html
Note that from here you can also get to a surprising number of search and reference tools. Explore!
Here are some little-known facts about Orbis.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
You might not find the one book you need among the 90 trillion Yale owns. If so, and always check with a reference librarian first, go to the ILL office soon. The average waiting period is supposed to be 2-3 weeks, but there are no guarantees. (They can rush if necessary.)
You can do this on-line. Go to http://www.library.yale.edu/ill/home.htm
Recently the Yale libraries, in a revolutionary step forward, decided to allow grad students to check out, or renew, all books in half-year increments. You can do this at any circulation desk, or through cyber-communication. Go to the library website at http://www.library.yale.edu/circ
Or you can send email to: smlcirc@yale.edu or cclcirc@yale.edu
In the email that you send, include your Yale ID# and the name of the library(ies) whose books you want to renew.The only problem with the new system is that, if you DO forget the six-month deadline, you'll face large fees every day. Beware.
If a book you need is checked out, you can recall it at the circulation desk. The current user will then have 10 days to return it, but don't be surprised if it is immediately recalled back from you. You may avoid this game by remembering that many of Yale's books reside in several locations, and search accordingly.
Medical Library
This is in the Sterling Hall of Medicine on Cedar Street, a few blocks past New Haven Green, in the building where the Med School films are shown. Take a Yale shuttle bus there to save time. You'll need your Yale ID to enter.
Special features include a computerized citation index called MiniMedline, photocopiers that only take Med School copycards (available at the circulation desk), and an odd layout fathomable with the help of wall maps. This is considered one of the best libraries for studying. Go at lunch time and take advantage of the ethnic food vendors that serve the Med School complex.
Sterling Memorial Library & Cross Campus Library.
SML is the main library. CCL, connected to Sterling by an underground tunnel, houses a small collection of heavily used books. You can borrow Sterling and CCL books for six months.
Beneath the nave of Sterling is Machine City. You can find candy, soda, juice, cookies - in short, packaged versions of the foods you crave. The low ceiling and stale air can make it a bit grim, but Machine City is still a good place to meet with study groups, hold office hours, socialize, etc.
SML and CCL have many lounges and reading rooms. In SML, the clubby L&B room is so comfortable and quiet that dozing is a hazard. Across the nave is the periodical reading room whose buzzing lights won't bother you until someone points them out. Oops. (Not all periodicals are there, so check Orbis and the card catalogs. Also, note that it has its own mini-stacks off to one side.) Near the circulation desk is the immense main reading room. It's long tables and hard chairs discourage loafing, snoozing, and good posture. Walk past the copiers to find the newspaper reading room, featuring a selection from around the globe. When weather permits you can study in the courtyard.
CCL's stacks are open, but for SML's you'll need to show your ID before gaining access to the stairwells and elevators. The shelving system at SML is tricky, so use one of the maps available on the main floor. Make sure to check if you need to be on a floor or on the mezzanine of that floor to get to 3M from 3, take the staircases inside the stacks. Also, watch carefully for a "+" or '(LC)' in the call number. The first means oversized materials, that are shelved separately. LC books are also shelved apart from those in the 'Yale' classification system. While you'll probably want to retrieve your own books, you can also page them, which means a staff member finds it for you and takes them to the circulation desk in about a half an hour.
The Law School Library
It's always open. No joke. This haven for red-eye study is on the third floor of the law building. You'll need to show a Yale ID to gain entry, and there's no readmittance after midnight.
It's surprisingly quiet given its heavy use, with a lofty main reading room, open stacks, and a room of copiers that take - you guessed it - only Law School copycards. Of course services aren't available 24 hours a day, so plan accordingly. Please note that the Law School has both Orbis terminals, which show Law titles but not whether they're checked out, and its own system (Morris) which shows only Law titles and holdings.
The Art & Architecture School Library
Located on the ground floor of the A&A building (you enter above it), it isn't just the fantastic collection you'll die for.
The A&A Library is considered a reserve library, so you can check out only one book at a time, for a single day only, and the overdue fines are a draconian $3.00 an hour. You may want to check Sterling's collection first, then, which has a large art collection, including many older books also held by A&A
All in all, you may want to plan to use A&A books in house.
The Divinity School Library
OK, it's not located on the main campus, but this sure ain't a Science Hill library. When you've got a book from DIV, you'll have a trek, or at least a shuttle-ride, ahead of you. Just go up Prospect, and keep going ... and going (about 20-25 minute walk from main campus; the shuttle takes 5 minutes).
Once you get there, though, the Divinity School Library is a lovely and quiet place to work. The Day Missions Room is one of the most wonderful spaces on campus.
Kline Library
This is the general science library, found in the basement of Kline Biology Tower. It has the most common science periodicals. The six terminals in the front are an easy way to check email or read news from the web. The black sofas in the back are a decent place to crash when you're sleep-deprived.
After hours, you can use the library to access the main underground tunnel which connects all the main buildings on Science Hill: Sloane, Kline, Gibbs and Bass. When it's cold or rainy, everyone uses this tunnel to get around. You can lock your bike in the tunnel, and then you can be sure it'll be safe.
Becton Library
This is the main engineering library, located at 15 Prospect Street, across from the imposing wall of Grove Street cemetery.
The Social Science Library
SSL is located in the basement of 140 Prospect, across from the School of Management. Enter via the ramp on the left. It's blessedly quiet and air-conditioned, although the stacks can be stifling. There are several CD-ROM citation indexes available. Often you can just sit down and use them, but at busy periods the library enforces the advance sign-up requirement. It's a handy place to study, since Mudd library, Donaldson cafeteria, and the science libraries (including Kline) are all nearby.
Mudd Library
This is the overflow storage library, found on Sachem Street, across the street from the ice rink.
It also houses Yale's government depository documents. Despite an ever-burgeoning collection it has few staff and limited weekend hours. The stacks are open for registered students. (You can also page Mudd books from Sterling, for next day delivery.)
Everyone uses email, so you better start now. It's how parties and events are advertised. It's how many professors set-up appointments. It's the most hassle-free way for a TA to communicate with undergrads (much better than calls at 2am the night before something is due!). It's how all your friends will mock you if you don't get an account.
E-mail is free to all registered grad students. To get an account, click on the "SMART" icon on any networked computer, and follow the directions. Everybody gets an account on "The Pantheon", a set of machines named Minerva, Morpheus, Mars and Mercury.
Most people's email address is: firstname.lastname@yale.edu. Once in "pine," Yale's mail program, you can type someone's name in the "to:" field and it will automatically search for the e-mail address. You can also send mail to username@minerva.cis.yale.edu, but it's usually a lot harder to remember someone's username than to remember their firstname and lastname. If you want to look up someone's email address, type from the minerva% prompt: 'ph firstname lastname' and various permutations thereof. You can also try 'ph firstname curriculum=xxxxxxx'.
From most networked computers, you can try three ways to access minerva and the pantheon:
1. Click on the "email" and then the "pantheon" icons.
2. On a Mac, scroll down to "minerva" from the apple in the upper left corner.
3. From any web browser, replace the 'http:...' with 'telnet://minerva'The dorm rooms have direct ethernet connections, so they don't have to worry about modems. If you want to access email from home, you have two options:
- You can just dial-up normally, and you'll have nothing but a raw text-based connection to the pantheon (Dial-up # = 764-9506). If you don't have communications software, you can download 'Tincan' for free from any networked computer.
- You can pay for PPP access. This will give you full graphic access to the WWW, Orbis, FTP, etc. It's pretty expensive, however: about $10/month. They'll provide all the software. Go to YCC.
Located at 175 Whitney, the YCC is the braincenter of Yale's computing facilities, with computer classes, administrative offices, and a computer repair shop out back. The computer store (MCSC) has moved into the Yale Bookstore.
CCL
The most popular branch of YCC is located on the lower floor of Cross Campus Library. It features Macs and PC's, several laser printers, and a scanning station (also available by sign-up only). While these computers are conveniently located, there is often a line to get on one.
Connecticut Hall
Open 24 hours, this location features a Desk Top Publishing Station (with appropriate software and laser printer) available to all graduate students (undergrads must be affiliated with an organization to use it). There are usually CAs on duty, but also a campus phone in case you need to call a CCL or YCC.
McDougal Center
This is a small cluster, with only five computers, but since it exists solely for grad students it is not usually very crowded. It's in HGS, next to the financial aid office. There are both Macs and PC's, a DeskTop Publishing Station and a laser printer.
Unfortunately, you're also much more likely to be distracted by finding people you know to chat with.
Phelps
Located above Phelps gate on Old Campus, this recently renovated classroom is available when computer classes are not in session.
Dunham Lab
A good cluster, located at 10 Hillhouse, Rm 107. There's also a very convenient place to check your email at terminals outside the cluster, just inside Dunham off of Hillhouse Ave. There are some more terminals around the corner, next to Davies Auditorium.
There are many classes offered, most of them free of charge. Some of Payne-Whitney's facilities, the weight room for example, will require you to take such a course. At the beginning of each semester Payne-Whitney has a registration period for these classes. If you think you might be interested, go pick up a schedule of classes and a list of registration hours as soon as you can, as popular classes can fill up in a matter of hours:
Free day lockers are available, as well as a locker and towel service, relatively affordable if you plan to use the gym, say, twice week.
Yale also has outdoor athletic facilities across town practice fields, a track, tennis courts, the football stadium, and the golf course. Golf at Yale is extremely inexpensive to use (though you'll need at least a shirt with a collar to play) given the high quality of the course.
Also, about 45 minutes away, in Old Lyme, Yale has an Outdoor Education Center, which all students, faculty, and employees can use. It has lots of fun stuff like hiking trails, a lake, playing fields, and cabins. You must pay a small fee to use the cabins overnight, but it is free to use for the day.
After a decade of grassroots efforts by graduate students to make health insurance more affordable, the university announced during the summer of 1998 that it would subsidize 100% of the hospitalization fee for grad students, and would subsidize 50% of the cost of insuring dependents. Hallelujah!! This means:
After a successful GESO campaign in 1994, the university began considering same-sex domestic partners as dependents.
Prescription Coverage
Note that the above coverage does not include any sort of prescription coverage. That goes under "supplemental" coverage, and here's how it works: You pay about $120/year for supplemental coverage (single, more for dependents). You then have a $100 deductible, which you have to pay off before you receive any benefits. Once you've paid the deductible, YHP will cover 80% of your prescription costs, and you'll pay the other 20%.
This coverage is only worth it if you buy an awful lot of prescription medicine. You start breaking even only after you've bought about $300 of medicine in a given year, and if you buy $150 or less you lose a lot of money.
Payment
Any fees that you have to pay appear on your bursar bill. If you don't want to pay it all up front, you can pay for them using "payroll deduction". The bursar's office will show you how to do this.
Primary providers
The best way to use the plan is to choose a primary provider. This is a physician or nurse practitioner whom you will call for appointments and will usually contact first with health problems and questions. By establishing an on-going relationship with you, your provider will be able to manage your care effectively. In addition, women may choose a primary provider in gynecology, and parents may choose pediatrics providers. A nurse will schedule appointments, depending on what your need is (routine or urgent). Be warned: the wait for routine appointments may be two or three months. If you have problems getting a needed appointment, call the patient advocate.
You choose a primary provider by filling out a form available at Member Services. They have a list of primary providers, with brief histories of their training. Word-of-mouth recommendations are helpful. You can always switch to a new provider.
Walk-in
Even if you have a primary provider, you can use the walk-in service at Graduate Medicine on the second floor, which is open weekdays, 8:30-11:30 am and 1:30-4 pm. First go to the main desk on the first floor. The receptionist will give you a form to fill out. Bring the form to the Graduate Clinic, place it on a stack, and wait to see a provider.
Outside of emergencies, it's best to wait to see your primary provider. If s/he is unavailable, there are triage nurses in Internal Medicine who can see you, often the same day. They can also obtain expedited appointments for you with your primary physician.
Emergencies
From 5pm until 8:30am on weekdays, and on weekends, go to the 24-hour Urgent Visit Clinic on the first floor. You must go there first for anything other than life-threatening emergencies. Call 432-0123.
Referrals
For most specialty clinics (e.g., dermatology, allergy, etc.), you need a referral from your primary provider. No referral is necessary to go to the gynecology clinic or for routine eye care.
You can get a free eye exam, but the wait for an appointment may be two to four months. YHP will write eyeglass prescriptions, but does not fill them. It does, however, fill contact lens prescriptions.
Dentistry
YHP does not provide or cover dentistry. A list of dentists can be obtained by calling the New Haven Dental Association at 787-0036.
Pharmacy
YHP has a pharmacy, located on the first floor, that will fill YHP and outside prescriptions for members. This pharmacy is slightly more expensive than other area pharmacies, but if you have supplemental coverage it's much more convenient because you don't have to pay up-front.
Your best source of information on life in the U.S. is probably friends and students in your department. If you need help understanding the arcane ways of Yale's administration, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of your department is a good place to start. If this is your first extended stay in the U.S., a terrific source of information and advice is the International Center, 442 Temple.
The International Center publishes an orientation guide that provides straightforward explanation of topics such as American clothing sizes, driving licenses and laws, how to obtain telephone service, and US social customs. It's indispensable. There are also programs for students, spouses and children, most held in the International Center's House on Prospect. Give them a call for quick help, or for a very small fee become a member and take part in the many programs they offer. Note that the International House is also residential. The number is 787-3531.
The Center is not part of Yale and should not be confused with two Yale entities that also assist foreign students. The Office of the Adviser to Foreign Students and Scholars, on the one hand, can help with legal questions such as taxes and US visas. The International Teaching Fellow program, on the other hand, provides an intensive, short introduction to the US and to Yale, as well as classes for those whose proficiency in spoken English needs improvement for the purpose of teaching.
Finally, there are also several student organizations for people of various ethnic/national origin.
(See Useful numbers below.)
Financial Aid Office
The Graduate School Financial Aid Office is located in HGS 128, and can be reached at 432-2770, T-F, 10 - 4.
This office puts out helpful informational sheets about stipend checks, taxes, etc., so the following is just basic information. Take any of your real questions to them.
Paychecks
Graduate students are supposed to be paid bi-weekly. Checks are sent to your department (unless you indicate a home address or direct deposit to a bank) no matter where it is that you happen to work. (You may have occasion during your time at Yale to be hired as a temporary, casual employee and for this will submit weekly time sheets.)
The Payroll Office is located at 155 Whitney. Should you ever need to call, the Payroll Assistant for all graduate students can be reached at 432-5412. If you are receiving a fellowship, the first check should be available at registration. Thereafter, checks will be sent to the address that Financial Aid has on file. You can also arrange with Financial Aid to have them sent somewhere else.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit to local banks is available. To arrange this, just stop by the Financial Aid and fill out a form. Not only does this save you the hassle of getting to the bank, but your money will be available a day or two earlier, and at some banks direct deposit entitles you to free checking. There are many banks to choose from in New Haven, so you may want to consider what ATM systems they use, what benefits you would gain from having direct deposit, minimum balance requirements, etc. in making your decision.
Taxes
Taxes are not withheld from your stipend checks if you are a US citizen. (Although the University maintains that TAs are not employees and only receive a fellowship, the IRS demands that taxes be withheld from TA and RA pay.) You will have to pay taxes on that portion of your fellowship which does not directly cover tuition and books and supplies. Connecticut has an income tax for those earning over $12,000 a year.
Various kinds of student loans are available through the Financial Aid Office. If you have outstanding loans from a previous degree, and you wish to defer payment on them, you must fill out a deferment form at the beginning of every semester (the Registrar will only certify that you are enrolled in school one semester at a time). Requests for deferment are made at the Graduate School's Registrar's Office, HGS 119.
Emergency Loans
Also, if you are currently registered and in good standing with the bursar's office, you can receive up to $350 interest-free for up to sixty days. It's not much, but it may be the difference between whether you can pay rent in a given month.
Child care questions can be directed to the free telephone information service Infoline at 867-4150. Ask for a Child Care Consultant. Infoline has information on various child care options, including family child care homes, in-home day care, and child care centers. Infoline can also advise you about what qualities to look for when seeking child care. Infoline also has a pregnancy health line, as well as providing basic information about community activities and services.
You can also obtain a Yale University Day Care Directory by contacting the Child Study Center at 785-2513. Requests should be made M/T/Th, 9-12.
Founded in 1637, New Haven was one of the first planned cities in the US, organized around nine original squares which now constitute the downtown area. Many of these blocks have been developed in the past decade, and the process of renewal continues. Located on a harbor, New Haven has the largest port in New England after Boston. The city has a diverse population and strong neighborhood identities.
Connecticut has 6 Congressional reps (5D, 1R). New Haven's representative is:
Connecticut's two Senators are:
Connecticut's current governor is:
Closer to home, New Haven's current Mayor is:
John DeStefano (D).
There is also a 30-member Board of Alders, one for each ward in the city of New Haven, and a variety of Civil Services (check the phone book's blue pages for details).
New Haven's Registrar of Voters (200 Orange, 787-8035) can tell you in what ward you'll be voting. GESO will be registering voters at Graduate School registration again this year.
New Haven struggles, with insufficient revenue, to serve a population beset by poverty, homelessness, hunger, illiteracy, and HIV/AIDS. There are many opportunities for volunteerism in the city. At Yale, Dwight Hall (both the name of the building and the organization) is the center for volunteer activities.
One program for graduate students in particular is the Michael G. Cooke Program which organizes volunteers to tutor at Hillhouse High School. Other New Haven volunteer opportunities are available through the Volunteer Action Center (785-1997). In addition, the New Haven Collaborative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between the graduate and professional students at Yale and the New Haven community. The program serves graduate and professional students involved in outreach programs at the various schools and the New Haven community.
The American Red Cross holds several blood drives on campus and also has a drive every Friday at the Bethesda Lutheran Church on Whitney. You can call 800-433-1879 to make an appointment to donate.
Air
Folks either fly through Tweed (New Haven), Bradley (Hartford), or JFK/LaGuardia (New York).
Tweed Airport, New Haven's very own, is located in the East Shore section of the city (take Exit 50 off I-95 and follow the signs). Currently, US Air is the only carrier that services Tweed. The airport also has a long-term parking. Watch out for fog and snow, however, as they often have to close the airport.
Bradley International Airport, located north of Hartford (take Exit 40 off I91), JFK and LaGuardia Airports in New York, and Newark Airport in New Jersey, can all be reached using CT Limo.
Rail
New Haven has a beautiful, recently renovated train station designed by Cass Gilbert. Called Union Station, it's located on Union Street. You can take a taxi or drive and park in the building (or ask nice friends for rides). There is frequent Amtrak service to Boston, Springfield, and New York (and beyond). Call (800) USA-RAIL.
Metro-North is the commuter train service into New York. Off-peak Metro-North tickets are relatively inexpensive, so this is a good way to get to New York, as well as Connecticut points. There is a connection to the NYC airports, but it's very inconvenient (though cheap!).
There is also the Shoreline East Commuter Service, a rail service connecting New Haven to eastern shoreline communities. Call (800) METRO-INFO for information.
Bus
Connecticut Transit provides local bus service. Call 624-0151. For traveling by bus to other cities, there is Peter Pan Bus Service, out of the Connecticut Limousine terminal, (800) 343-9999, and Greyhound, 45 George, 772-2470.
The Connecticut Limo Service is located at 10 Brewery (Exit 46 off I95), and can be reached at 878-2222. Frequent limos (which are actually vans) go to Bradley International and to the New York and New Jersey airports, and also has long-term parking.
Also, Prime Time shuttle offers service to JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Often they have special deals at Christmas, Spring or Summer breaks, with pick-up at Phelps Gate.
Taxi
For getting around New Haven, call Metro Taxi (All You Need is 7) at 777-7777. Be on your guard, however. This is not the most reliable company. Also, if you get a taxi at the Train Station you are not obligated to share, but if you do share, the meter should be running, and the passengers should split the meter. There are other Taxi companies, though Metro has something of a monopoly on New Haven business.
Shuttle Bus
Yale has both daytime (432-2150) and nighttime (432-6330) free shuttle bus service. At night you can take the shuttle directly to your home. After midnight or so, you must call to be picked up. Otherwise, the buses will drive right by you without stopping.
Bike
There aren't too many bike racks around Yale or New Haven, but street signs do the job. You can register your bike with the Yale Police. Helmets are recommended.
On Foot
Avoid walking alone after dark, and stick to lighted paths. You can call 432-WALK for orange-vested student patrollers to walk you around campus.
Car Talk
It's expensive to own a car in New Haven - your local address will make insurance rates high, and you'll pay a city property tax on your car - but very useful to have one. The nearest DMV is located in Hamden at 1985 State ((800) 842-8222). (IMPORTANT: To get a license you will need to bring a passport or birth certificate. If you forget this they send you away.) Call (800) 842-2000 for information on Connecticut's mandatory annual auto emissions testing.
We highly recommend that you use a steering wheel club or alarm system to protect against auto theft.
Parking on New Haven streets can be tight and the tow trucks come out in full force weekdays on the dot of 4 pm. Note that they tow from private lots at night as well, even empty, innocent-looking ones. Beware! In other words, you might get parking tickets and/or get towed, and if you don't or won't pay your tickets your car can eventually be impounded, but it's worth it.
Also, if there is a Snow Emergency, listen to the radio to see if your car is parked in the area designated by the emergency. If it is, move it, or it will be moved for you.
Finally: pay your tickets. Why? In addition to the fact that Yale students are notorious scofflaws, and the city needs the money, last year the city swept through and towed any cars with outstanding tickets.
Instead of paying for the meters, you can save a bit of money by purchasing vouchers. You pay 20¢ for what would cost 25¢ on the meter. You can buy vouchers at many downtown shops.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Some spaces at Yale are wheelchair-accessible and some unfortunately are not. Yale has a van equipped with a lift, which you can call at 432-2788.
African American Cultural Center 432-4131
Athletics:
Bursar's Office 432-2700
Student Billing 432-2700
Student Loan Payments 432-2727
Casa Cultural Julia de Burgos 432-0856
Chicano Cultural Center 432-2931
Communications 432-2001
Computer Center 432-6629
Internet Information Center 432-5116
Microcomputer Sales Center 432-8410
Technical Services/Repairs 432-6650
Co-op, Yale 772-2200
CT Transit (public bus) 624-0151
Corporation, Yale, Fellows of 432-7874
Disabilities, Resource Office on 432-2324
Dwight Hall 432-2420
Escort Service, Student 432-WALK
Grad Employees & Students Organization (GESO) 624-5161
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
Information/Front Desk 432-2770
Admissions 432-2770
Career Services 432-8850
Dean (Susan Hockfield) 432-2733
Deans, Associate 432-2770
Financial Aid 432-2739
Graduate-Professional Student Center (GPSCY) 432-2631
McDougal Center 432-8273
Registrar 432-2750
Teaching Preparation and Development 432-7377
Transcript/Dossier Service 432-2770
Working at Teaching 432-1198
Handicapped Student Transportation 432-2743
Health Services:
Emergency (Yale Security) 432-0123
Information (Yale) 432-0246
Grad Student Walk-in 432-7529
Inpatient (Infirmary) 432-0001
Contact Lens 432-0279
Internal Medicine 432-0037
Member Services 432-0246
Mental Hygiene 432-0290
Obstetrics & Gynecology 432-0222
Billing 432-0240
Claims 432-0250
Pharmacy 432-0033
Medical Records 432-0062
Patient Advocate 432-0109
INFORMATION (Yale) 432-4771
Libraries:
Cross Campus 432-1870
Divinity School 432-5274
Kline Science 432-3439
Medical School 785-4356
Sterling (Circulation) 432-1852
Parking and Transit Service 432-2150
Pathways (Gay/Lesbian/Bi Peer Counseling) 432-1585
Physical Plant, Emergency 432-6888
Police, Campus 432-4400
President, Office of (Richard Levin) 432-2550
Provost, Office of (Alison Richards) 432-4444
Racial and Ethnic Harassment, Committee on 432-4619
Rape Crisis Hotline 624-2273
Religious Ministry:
Church of Christ in Yale 432-1128
Baptist Campus Ministry 432-7035
Black Church at Yale 432-4131
Episcopal Church at Yale 432-1140
University Lutheran Ministry 432-1139
Slifka Center / Yale Hillel 432-1134
St. Thomas More Chapel 777-5537
Sexual Harassment Board 432-2907
Shuttle Bus, Day 432-2150
Shuttle Bus, Night 432-6330
Towed Vehicle Information 432-2150
Women's Center 432-0388
Yale-New Haven Hospital 785-4242
Useful Web Sites and Email Addresses
Chinese Students & Scholars at Yale www.yale.edu/acssy
Computing at Yale
Info & Technology Services (ITS) www.yale.edu/its
Internet Information Center (IIC) www.yale.edu/iic
Foreign Students & Scholars Office www.yale.edu/foreign
GESO Web Site www.yale.edu/geso
The Chair's email address: curtis.mitchell@yale.edu
Graduate School www.yale.edu/gradsch/grad
Assembly www.yale.edu/assembly
Career Services www.yale.edu/mcdougal/career
The Dean's email address: susan.hockfield@yale.edu
Housing www.yale.edu/graduatehousing
McDougal Center www.yale.edu/mcdougal
Working At Teaching www.yale.edu/wat
Libraries www.library.yale.edu/
Inter-Library Loan www.library.yale.edu/ill/home.htm
Orbis webpac.library.yale.edu/webpac/orbis.htm
Recall and Hold www.library.yale.edu/circ/recalls.htm
Renewals www.library.yale.edu/circ/renew.htm
Research Workstation www.library.yale.edu/pubstation/workstat.html
Local Press
The Advocate www.newmassmedia.com
Yale Daily News www.yaledailynews.com
Yale Herald www.yale.edu/herald
New Haven Web www.newhavenweb.com
Yale Front Door www.yale.edu
Yale Calendar of Events www.yale.edu/opa/ybc/calendar.htm
YaleInfo www.yale.edu/yaleinfo
Yale Phone Book www.yale.edu/cgi-bin/ph
