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Our team is unable to make departing flight reservations on Sunday. Can we stay an extra day?
Yes! We also offer an additional day before and after the packages begin to accommodate teams with travel difficulties; however, you may be required to relocate to a different dorm for the additional day. This information is included on your WF Lodging and Meals Reservation Form.
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How much is the registration fee?
If your team selects Odyssey "A" type housing packages, at least one for each team member and one coach (no matter who uses the packages), it does not have to pay a registration fee. Otherwise, the fee is $2,500.
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How do we get to campus from the airport? Do you provide a shuttle?
Airport greeting service and bus transportation between Detroit Metro (DTW) or Capital City (LAN) Airports (Lansing) and Michigan State University will be available. When using this airport shuttle, bus transportation will take you to the World Finals registration site at International Center (bus driver will wait while the coach registers the team) and on to designated participant housing sites. Reservations must be made by May 1, 2013. Odyssey reservations must be booked through this link. For World Finals, please do not use the standard Michigan Flyer reservation pages. During the competition, Odyssey of the Mind will provide a free on-campus shuttle service.
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Where is team registration?
Team registration will take place at the International Center, Crossroads Classrooms.
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What do we do if we arrive on campus after registration closes for the day?
Registration is open until Midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday; however, if you arrive after registration closes, simply go to the International Center. MSU Staff will direct you to the appropriate location to check in and you can register in the morning.
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Are the dorms air-conditioned?
Residence halls are not air-conditioned, so a fan is recommended. However, the average temperature in Lansing, Michigan at this time of year is between 40 and 80 degrees. Check the weather forecast to make sure you pack the right clothes!
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Is there any place I can connect to the Internet when I'm on campus?
One computer lab will be available in each residential neighborhood for guests to check email. Printing will not be available in these computer labs.
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Can special dietary needs and/or food allergies be accommodated in the dining halls?
Yes. Many special dietary needs can be accommodated simply by choosing appropriately from the wide variety of choices that will be available at each meal and should not be listed on the Lodging and Meals Reservation Form. If you have a team member with a medically required dietary need (such as a food allergy), please contact Gina Keilen via email (keileng@rhs.msu.edu) or phone (517) 884-6416 with the team member's information and accommodation needs. Also, please list the member's full name, contact telephone number and description of requirement when you submit your Lodging and Meals Reservation Form.
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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 on a cash-only basis.
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How much are individual meals at MSU Dining Halls for those staying off campus?
Breakfast: $5.75 (plus tax), Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night: $8.99 (plus tax). Learn more here.
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What time do the dining halls open and close?
Breakfast will be available from 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM; lunch from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM; and dinner from 4:30 AM - 7:00 PM.
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What types of meals will be provided in the dining halls?
See the menus that will be offered in the dining halls here.
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Our team is arriving after the dining halls close; however, the package we purchased includes dinner that day. Will dinner be provided?
Yes, box lunches will be available during registration for teams arriving after dinner hours.
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What is the penalty if we cancel our housing reservation?
There is no penalty if you cancel your reservation by Friday, April 26, 2013. Cancellations after April 26, 2013 are subject to a 50% penalty. NO CANCELLATIONS WHATSOEVER WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 3, 2013!
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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, April 26, 2013.
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What types of rooms are used for housing?
Your team will get the actual feeling of living like college students! Most residence hall rooms are suited with two bedrooms sharing an adjoining bathroom. Suite-mates must be able to share a bathroom. Most are double-occupancy; however, some are single, triple, and quadruple occupancy rooms. Beds are single (twin) beds; many are bunked without railings.
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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, and two towels. Daily towel exchanges will be available at the service centers. Feel free to bring your favorite pillow or blanket if you wish.
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Are laundry facilities available?
Yes, coin-operated laundry facilities are available within the residence areas.
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When will we know where we're staying?
When you get to campus and register for your housing you will receive your housing assignment.
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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.
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Can anyone enter the residence halls?
Residence halls will be open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Enter the buildings from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM through the front entrances. Team members must scan their access cards to enter and will only be allowed entrance to the halls in which they are housed. If you have guests you must behave appropriately and respect other teams. Unruly behavior should be reported to the resident assistant, MSU staff, or Odyssey Information promptly.
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Our team would like to stay in a hotel. Will you help us with those arrangements?
If you wish to be guaranteed hotel lodging, here is a list of nearby hotels.
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Can teams staying off campus use the recreational facilities?
Yes, the registration fee covers all of the events and recreation opportunities at World Finals.
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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 Odyssey Information Booth 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.]
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Will I need a vehicle to get around campus?
Campus will operate a free local shuttle service throughout the competition connecting the residence halls, central campus and the International Center. Since parking is very limited on campus, we highly encourage teams and spectators to utilize the shuttle whenever possible.
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Do drivers need a parking permit?
Teams living in residence halls on campus will be able to park in lots 93, 89, and 91 free of charge. Maps to these lots will be available at check-in. Volunteers and spectators may also park in lots 66A, 75, 83, 89, and 91. Permits are required to park in lots 62 West (except during registration), 63 East, 63 West, lot 65, lot 79, ramp 1 faulty/staff spaces, and ramp 3 visitor section. Permits can be purchased at the MSU Police Station located on Red Cedar Road. A maximum of 200 of these permits will be sold. Permits are not valid at meters or other locations except for those specified above. Other university lots are assigned to university staff and are restricted areas. Please Note: Parking is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please plan ahead so you do not receive a citation.
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Can I get a handicapped parking permit?
Only state-issued handicapped parking permits will be honored in the unrestricted lots.
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We would like to drive our RV to campus. May we park on campus?
Individuals are not permitted to stay in RVs and Campers on campus.
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When can we check on our props? If we are driving our props to campus, where do we deliver them?
After May 3 you can check the University Stores to see if your shipment has been received. To track your shipment, enter the tracking number in the "U-Track It!" field and submit. Be sure to follow size restrictions on the crates you use to ship your props! Props will be grouped according to problem category and be delivered to a storage area near the competition site between May 13-17. A University Logistics representative will be available at an information booth during registration at MSU on May 21 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM and May 22 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Coaches may inquire here for information concerning props. If you are driving your props to campus, you should deliver them directly to the prop storage room for the competition site. It is listed in the WF Program you receive at registration. Please inquire at the prop information table with questions. For additional information and a shipping label, click here.
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How do we arrange to ship our props home?
All teams are responsible for arranging for prepaid or COD shipments of any materials requiring return. All returns must be properly packaged and have a pre-paid label attached to each item being shipped. Contact University Logistics at (517) 884-6082 to arrange for pickup of pre-paid return items. Props requiring pick-up should be left in the prop storage rooms. Props left behind without making arrangements will be discarded. For additional information, click here.
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When will the competition schedule be available?
The tentative competition schedule will be available on Tuesday, April 30th until Thursday, May 2nd at 2:00 PM. The final competition schedule will be posted on Monday, May 6th.
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How do I contact my child once the team arrives on campus?
Most cell phones work on campus and in the residence halls. During the competition, parents or family members may call in an emergency to contact their son or daughter. The phone number, (517) 355-1855, will be answered 24 hours a day. This is the campus operator. They have instructions on how to forward your call. It is important that you mention you are looking for someone with the Odyssey of the Mind competition. Please remember that this is for emergencies only.
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Is there a health center on campus in the event of an emergency?
The University Physician's Office, (517) 884-6546, is located on the third floor of the Olin Memorial Health Center, East Circle Drive on the north edge of the MSU campus. Sparrow Urgent Care Center, (517) 333-6562, is located at 2682 East Grand River in East Lansing. Medical care is also available through the emergency room of the E.W. Sparrow Hospital, (517) 364-1000, located at 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI.
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Where do I turn in my team's Medical Release Form?
Every participant must have a form completed and signed by his or her parent/guardian. Forms will be kept in possession of the team coach and must accompany the student to any medical intervention. Please bring your team's completed forms with you to registration. Forms are required and participants will not be allowed to register without the completed forms. Download a Medical Release Form here.
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Will any of the events be broadcast online?
The Opening Ceremonies and the Awards Ceremony will be broadcast as a live web cast during the ceremony as it occurs. They will also be made available to view shortly after the event. Check the WF website to see if additional ceremonies are added to the live broadcast.
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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. Not all photos will be posted in the gallery. Team photos are provided by Premier Portraits Studio and you can get more information with them while having your team picture taken.
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Who is eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony?
If you are missing your graduation ceremony because you are attending the Odyssey of the Mind 2013 World Finals, you are invited to participate in the graduation ceremony. Due to time and space restrictions, we cannot invite all students to participate. To participate in the graduation ceremony, please register for graduation online or complete the graduation form in your winner's packet and return to CCI before April 26, 2013. 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!
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Will the graduation ceremony be broadcast online?
Yes, the ceremony will be broadcast online.
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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.
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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 online during the event.
