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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) For WF Teams
- What's the best resource for information about Odyssey of the Mind 2009 World Finals for participating teams?
The coaches letter in the packet has information about ISU, housing, and the events that take place during World Finals. You can see these documents on line here.
- I've heard a lot about pin trading, what is it?
Odyssey of the Mind Associations offer their teams pins to trade while at World Finals. Pin trading is a great way to meet new friends from all over the world and to create a collection to help you remember your World Finals experience the rest of your life.
Pin Trading Rules
- Can anyone other than the team and coaches, like parents and siblings, stay in housing with us?
Yes! Parents are encouraged to stay with teams in the dorms. While filling out your Team Housing Registration Form simply add anyone wishing to stay in the dorms in the allotted space.
- Can we select different housing packages?
Yes, your team is allowed to mix housing packages.
- How much is the registration fee?
Your team will not be required to pay the registration fee if your team selects Odyssey "A" type housing packages and the number of people staying in Odyssey-provided housing is equal to the number of team members plus one coach. Otherwise, the registration fee is $2,500.
- How do we get to campus from the airport? Do you provide a shuttle?
Iowa State University is providing an affordable round trip shuttle option from the following airports: Des Moines, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Minneapolis, MN and Chicago, IL. When using this airport shuttle, bus transportation will take you to the World Finals registration site at the Iowa State Center (bus driver will wait while coach registers the team) and on to designated participant housing sites. The shuttle schedules vary so be sure you confirm your reservation with ISU. During the competition, Odyssey of the Mind will provide a free on-campus shuttle service.
Airport Transportation Form provided by Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Where is team registration?
Team registration will take place at the Iowa State Center Scheman Building.
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- What do we do if we arrive on campus after registration closes for the day?
If you arrive after registration closes on Tuesday or Wednesday just go to the ground floor of the Iowa State Center Scheman Building. ISU Staff will direct you to the appropriate location to check-in and you can register your team in the morning.
- Are the dorms air-conditioned?
Some residence areas have air-conditioning; however, the average temperature in Ames at this time of year is between 60 and 70 degrees. Check the weather forecast to make sure you pack the right clothes!
- Is there any place I can connect to the Internet when I'm on campus?
There are some locations where you can connect to the Internet; however, you'll be so busy practicing, pin trading and having fun that you won't have time to go on line.
- Can parents staying off-campus eat in the same dining hall as the team?
Of course! Individual guest meals can be purchased at the entrance of most dining centers.
- What is the penalty if we cancel our housing reservation?
There is no penalty if you cancel your reservation by Friday, May 1, 2009.
- Can we make changes to our housing reservations if we reserve our space now?
Absolutely! Please enter your information as quickly as possible. You can modify your housing reservations through Friday, May 1, 2009.
- What types of rooms are used for housing?
Your team will get the actual feeling of living like college students! As usual for university housing, most rooms are double-occupancy with twin beds and the majority of housing areas have group bathrooms (separate for males and females). If a medical condition requires you to get special housing, please note it on your housing registration and we'll do our best to accommodate the request.
- Will I be provided linens?
Yes! In an effort to make your stay easier, each person will be provided with a pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, 2 towels, 1 washcloth and soap. Daily towel exchanges will be available at a centralized location. Feel free to bring your favorite pillow or blanket if you wish.
- Are laundry facilities available?
Yes, laundry facilities are available within the residence areas.
- When will we know where we're staying?
When you get to campus and register for your housing you will receive your housing assignment.
- Who will I room with?
When you fill out your Lodging and Meals Reservation Form you can request your roommate. We will do our best to accommodate you.
- Can anyone enter the residence halls?
Only ISU staff and Odyssey of the Mind teams and coaches assigned to the residence will have keys to the residence areas. If you have guests you must all behave appropriately and respect the other teams. Unruly behavior should be reported to the resident assistant, ISU staff, or Odyssey Information promptly. (Don't lose your key! There is a fine for lost keys.)
- Can teams staying off campus use the recreational facilities?
Yes, the registration fee covers all of the events and recreation opportunities at World Finals. These include the Creativity Festival, NASA E-Theater, swimming, volleyball, ping pong, billiards, basketball, foosball, bowling and ice skating.
- Who can attend the competitions and ceremonies on campus and how much are the tickets?
Everyone is welcome to attend, and the event is free to the public. For the Opening and Awards Ceremonies you need a ticket to enter. Participating teams will get their tickets when they sign in at the Odyssey of the Mind registration desk. Spectators who are not staying in Odyssey housing may pick up their complimentary tickets on the day of the event at the Information Booth located at Memorial Union or at the Arena Box Office the evening of the event. [Only one ticket per person will be distributed. This helps prevent over-distribution of tickets by giving mass quantities to more than one person from the same group.]
- Do drivers need a parking permit? Where do we pick them up?
Teams living in residence housing on campus will be able to park in assigned areas adjacent to or within easy walking distance of their living area at no charge. Those not staying in the residence halls should park at the Iowa State Center south of the main campus. There is no charge for parking in this area and a free shuttle is provided to central campus. Additional parking adjacent to central campus is available at the Memorial Union parking ramp, although there is an hourly charge. Other university lots are assigned to university staff and are restricted areas.
- When can we check on our props? If we are driving our props to campus, where do we deliver them?
After May 1 you can check ISU's Distribution Services Web Site to see if your shipment has been received. Be sure to follow size restrictions on the crates you use to ship your props! A shipping and receiving clerk will be available when you arrive at registration. If you arrive on Thursday or Friday, a prop information table will be set up in Memorial Union. Coaches may inquire at either of these locations for information concerning your props. Cartons correctly sized and marked will be delivered directly to the competition site where participants will load and unload their own props and carry them to the appropriate storage area. Oversized containers might not be accepted. Be sure to follow the dimension limits! If you are driving your props to campus, you should deliver them directly to the storage room for the competition site. Please inquire at the prop information table. For additional information, click here.
- When will the competition schedule be available?
The tentative competition schedule will be available on Thursday, May 7th, at 5 PM until Saturday, May 9th, midnight. The final competition schedule will be posted on Monday, May 11th.
- How do I contact my child once the team arrives on campus?
Most cell phones work on campus and in the residence halls. Team members should call home and give family members their residence hall name, room number, and the 24-Hour Conference Desk number for that area. In the event of an emergency at home, the number for family members to call is the ISU Police at 515-294-4428. ISU Police will assist in locating the participant.
- Is there a health center on campus in the event of an emergency?
The Thielen Student Health Center is located on the corner of Union Drive and Sheldon (West edge of campus, directly west of Beyer Hall, across the street from State Gym). Medical care is also available through the emergency room of Mary Greeley Medical Center located at 12th Street and Duff Avenue.
- Will any of the events be broadcast online?
Opening Ceremonies, the Graduation Ceremony and the Awards Ceremony will be broadcast as a live web cast during the ceremony as it occurs.
- How soon will I be able to view my child's picture online?
The photo gallery will begin on Wednesday and be added to throughout the event and after World Finals. Team photos are provided by Premier Portraits Studio and you can get information while having your team picture taken.
- Who is eligible to participate in the Odyssey of the Mind Graduation Ceremony?
If you are missing your graduation ceremony because you are attending the Odyssey of the Mind 2009 World Finals, you are invited to participate in the graduation ceremony. Due to time and space restrictions, we cannot invite all students to participate. Graduates are encouraged to wear caps and gowns for this ceremony. However, everyone is encouraged to attend the event in order to support their fellow participants and see Dr. Sam and OMER!
- When will we see the team's scores on the website?
The team's scores will be available on the website immediately after the Awards Ceremony ends on Saturday evening.
- What is OMER'S News and where can I find it?
OMER's News is the daily Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Newsletter. The first edition is available when you arrive on campus and new editions are distributed each day starting Thursday morning. OMER's News can be found in the residence halls, at locations throughout campus, and on line.
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World Finals