The following practical information can help you navigate your arrival in Maryland, your stay in College Park, and your attendance at the conference:
- If you have purchased a campus housing package, you have already been notified by the registration team of your residence-hall placement and the information on where and how to check in. The residence and dining halls are within the Heritage Community on campus and within walking distance of each other. Note that your on-campus package provides all three meals during the conference week and the weekends at the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall. (Other participants will be provided the lunches only.) The hours of operation are limited though, so make sure to check them out and plan accordingly. Residence halls will provide linen in each room, along with one blanket, one pillow with a pillowcase, two flat sheets, and two towels per person. There is no daily housekeeping. You will receive one travel-sized bottle of shampoo and one conditioner at check-in. If you need additional supplies, please make sure to pack them with you.
- If you have purchased a campus housing package, you have already received an email with a link that allows you to purchase an overnight parking permit for the entire week, in the event you need it. If you are staying off campus and need parking, you can purchase daily passes for any of the visitor parking lots on campus. Please note that those daily passes will not allow you to park between midnight and 7 am. The closest visitor parking to the conference site is the Union Lane Parking Garage. Those at the residence halls will park elsewhere, as noted in their overnight parking permit.
- The conference takes place in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. It is about 7 minutes walk from the Heritage Community. The check-in will take place in the Stamp lobby (information desk) on the first floor, which is accessible from the Stamp's main entrance on Campus Dr. You may enter the building through other entrances and on other levels, so make sure to find your way to the main lobby. The plenary and parallel sessions all take place on the second floor of Stamp. Check the timetable on Indico for the room information.
- We have two designated registration and check-in times: i) during the reception from 6:30-8:30 pm on Sunday, July 26 at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center lobby area, and ii) ahead of the first plenary session on Monday, July 27 from 8-9 am at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union lobby area on the first floor. The registration desk will remain operational throughout the conference to address any questions or to accommodate late check-ins.
- If you indicated your interest in attending the reception on Sunday, July 26, and you are staying in the residence halls, note that the dining hall will be closed after the reception, so you may want to have your dinner at the dining hall prior to arriving at the reception. Appetizers and small bites will be provided at the reception, which may be enough food to replace dinner, depending on your appetite!
- Here are some useful links to bookmark throughout the week as you navigate the program and campus: The conference timetable, the Stamp floor plan, the campus map, National Weather Services: College Park, and UMD Alerts. The organizers will share via Indico information about imminent threats on campus (tornadoes and thunderstorms, hazardous material spills, etc.), so make sure to not ignore emails from the organizers!
- While it is early for the weather forecasts to be accurate for the full week, it appears that no extreme heat is expected in the region, and the weather could be as pleasant as one could hope for at this time of year in Maryland! The unhealthy air quality of the past week is no longer an issue, but pollution may return if the Canadian wildfires continue. It is a good idea to pack an N95 mask in case you need it outside. Importantly, make sure to pack an umbrella, since rain and thunderstorms are always a possibility in the DC area. Finally, U.S. buildings are often heavily air-conditioned in summer, so make sure to bring a light layer!
- If you are arriving from outside the U.S., you will likely land in Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Have all your documents ready, including visa/invitation letter, a printout of the conference session in which you present, and a copy of your residence hall assignment or hotel reservation. Be prepared to answer questions about the conference, and do so calmly and patiently. If you are particularly nervous about your entry, for example if this is your first entry to the US or you hold certain passports that are subject to greater scrutiny, please get in touch with the LOC directly; we can provide personal contact information in case you need to provide it to the officer for further confirmation. IAD gets a high volume of international passengers and the officers are generally very polite and professional, so you should not anticipate major inconvenience (besides likely busy lines).
- If you arrive on campus by car (uber/lyft, taxi, rental car, etc.) during late evenings or early mornings, there may be a campus checkpoint operating at the main campus entrances. Have your ID and your on-campus residence hall confirmation with you and show them to staff if asked. This will be a light inspection and should not result in any major delay or issue.
- While the area near campus is relatively safe and lively, you should exercise caution elsewhere in College Park. Avoid walking in unfamiliar or isolated areas far from campus or after dark, and walk in groups whenever possible. Save the UMD Police emergency number, 301-405-3333, on your phone. For emergencies off-campus, call 911. In the unlikely event of a robbery, do not resist; hand over your belongings if demanded. Keep in mind that firearm ownership is more common in the U.S. than in many other countries.
- If you feel unwell during business hours, you can walk to the UMD Health Center conveniently located across from the conference venue. If you need a medical check-up at other times, you can try the urgent-care clinics with the walking distance of campus or a few bus stops away. Feel free to reach out to the organizers for any assistance. If you have symptoms, please either refrain from attending conference sessions or wear a face mask when interacting with others.
- The well-being of our participants and their positive and memorable experience are our priority. Please study our conference Code of Conduct and do not hesitate to contact us or the LDIC to report any violation, or to get advice on unpleasant situations that may arise.
As always, the local organizing committee (lattice2026@umd.edu) and the registration team (lattice2026registration@umd.edu) are here to help with any questions or concerns. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.