Welcome to UNC! Where do you want to live? We suggest these neighborhoods! And maybe take the bus ;-)
Click here to visit the slideshow of activities on the Prospective Students tab. Now, some 'business':
CHECKLIST FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
Please contact Nicole Butera ([email protected]) if you have questions.
1. Register for Classes
You can register for fall classes on ConnectCarolina (http://connectcarolina.unc.edu/). You might have to do it yourself, or your registrar may have already done it for you (Melissa Hobgood (last names A-M) or Veronica Stallings (last names N-Z)). Regardless, once you are assigned an advisor, you should consult with your advisor about what courses you should be taking in the fall. We recommend you set up a meeting with your advisor early on, before the semester gets going! We also recommend that you try to talk to your Big Buddy or other current students for advice about courses.
2. Human subjects training (ALL STUDENTS)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. To complete the training and for more information: https://www.citiprogram.org/. Please note there are 3 separate groups of training. Modules have been grouped for (1) Biomedical Research, (2) Social and Behavioral Research and (3) Research involving Data and Specimens only. Select the group that best describes your area of research.
On the registration page, complete the question that is the best fit.
Under main menu:
Step 1:
Add a course or update learner groups
Step 2:
I would like to review the Human Subjects Protection (“IRB”) modules
Step 3:
I have not completed the CITI UNC-Chapel Hill Basic Course.
Step 4:
Please select the Group appropriate to your research activities. You will be enrolled in the Basic Course for that Group.
Once you get past the registration page you will be able to select your group. Group 3: Research Involving Data and Specimens ONLY is the group you are interested in selecting. Make sure you include Biostatistics as your department. Please send Melissa Hobgood or Veronica Stallings a copy of the completion certificate once you have completed the training.
3. Conflict of interest training (ALL GRAs and TRAINEES)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. Conflict of interest training should be completed here: https://apps.research.unc.edu/coi-training/
4. Environment, health and safety training (ALL STUDENTS)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. Environment, health and safety training should be completed here: http://ehs.unc.edu/training/neo.shtml
5. Payroll Paperwork (if you will be funded by the BIOS department)
To be put on payroll, incoming students should see Terry Link ([email protected]) in the fiscal office (3108 McGavran-Greenberg). You will need to bring with you the following:
* Direct Deposit form and a voided check or document from your bank to set up direct deposit
* Completed forms W-4, NC-4EZ or NC-4 NRA, Health Insurance Verification of Student Eligibility, and AP-2s form.
* Either an unexpired passport; or a photo id and social security card or birth certificate (there are other allowable documents but these are the most commonly used)
6. Health Insurance
While you are completing your paperwork to be put on payroll, you will also complete paperwork to enroll in your health insurance. GRAs/trainees are enrolled in the UNC Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan, which is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Information on student health insurance can be found here: https://www.bcbsnc.com/content/studentblue/uncch-ta/index.htm If you are a GRA/trainee, you will need to submit a waiver by September 12 to avoid being charged for student health insurance (you will receive an e-mail from UNC or Biostatistics student services about this).
7. Graduate School Orientation
The Graduate School’s 2016 Orientation for all new incoming graduate students will be held in the afternoon of Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the Carolina Club and the RAMS Head Recreation Center. Come to this orientation to learn about the variety of resources available to you through The Graduate School and other University units. Contact Lou Ann Phelps ([email protected]) or see the following website for more information: http://gradschool.unc.edu/events/orientation/.
8. UNC One Card (not until week before classes)
You will use something called a One Card as your UNC Student ID. You’ll use it for printing, getting into UNC events, and to prove you are a student to reap your discounts all over the country. You can’t get your One Card until the week prior to classes. Try to do this as early as possible, before the undergraduates arrive on campus. The One Card office is located in the Student Stores building, on the side of the building facing the Student Union.
9. International Students
If you are an international student, check out the following resources:
International Students Guide (Very important!) http://sph.unc.edu/students/international-students/ http://global.unc.edu/ http://uncbsa.weebly.com/international-students.html
10. NC Residency Website: http://registrar.unc.edu/academic-services/residency/
Full Manual: http://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/documents/state_residence_classification_manual.pdf Residency guide: http://registrar.unc.edu/academic-services/residency/residency-guide/
Residency Application (look at this now, but you won’t fill it out until the summer after your first year): https://apps.research.unc.edu/grad_res/
Go to the web site and read about everything you should do before the start of class this year (i.e. mid-August):
a. NC Driver’s license
b. Register car in NC
c. Car insurance in NC
d. Chapel Hill and/or Carrboro library card
e. Register to vote in NC (and actually vote in elections!)
f. Officially change your bank account address (and credit cards) to your NC address
g. And anything else that is listed or that would have your address listed (such as a utility bill at your residence).
h. Get involved in the community outside of UNC. Any non-university activity (from kickball to music to dance classes, etc) will look really good on your residency application.
The residency review panel really wants to know: Are you coming to UNC only for school? Or are you making an attempt to become an NC resident and spend tax dollars in NC for years to come? More information can be found at http://uncbsa.weebly.com/residency.html
11. Driver’s License and Car Registration
If you bring a car from out of state, you will need to switch your registration and plates to North Carolina within 90 days. Unfortunately, this is both expensive and inconvenient. You’ll need to go to the NC DMV (the closest one is in Carrboro Plaza) to retake your written drivers’ exam (I’m not kidding) and get a NC driver’s license. After you receive your NC driver’s license in the mail, you’ll need to drive to the
east side of Chapel Hill to register your car and get a NC license plate. You will have to pay some fees along the way, and each year you need to have your car inspected and pay property tax on your vehicle. Car inspections can be done at any service station in Orange County. Car insurance is mandatory in NC. Talk to older graduate students about the best places to insure your car.
More info: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/ http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/
Here are some potentially helpful links for your upcoming Driver’s test: http://freedmvpracticetests.com/nc-north-carolina http://freedmvpracticetests.com/nc-north-carolina/new-to-state/road-sign-practice-test http://freedmvpracticetests.com/north-carolina-dmv-drivers-handbook-manual
**UNC STOR BIOS Boot Camp, Aug 8-17: storbiosbootcamp.web.unc.edu/
**If you don't already know R (free software environment for statistical computing and graphics) or LaTeX (free high-quality typesetting system - basically makes typed math look very good. You will likely write your MS paper or PhD dissertation in LaTeX), it will be very beneficial to learn them. As both are free, you may install them on your machine and begin the process of learning them. In the past, there have been R and LaTeX short courses offered at the Odum Institute on campus in the early fall semester. www.odum.unc.edu/odum/contentSubpage.jsp?nodeid=21
but you can find the tutorials from the short courses for R and LaTeX at the following link
www.odum.unc.edu/odum/contentSubpage.jsp?nodeid=665
**I have also found the following freely available ~400 page book on statistics to be a nice supplement to the assigned material in our courses. It has nice ideas about the big picture for a lot of the material we learn in the first year, and also contains a lot of easy to absorb R code, especially for figures.
http://www.math.umass.edu/~lavine/Book/book.html
**If you need software that is not free (SAS or maybe others), head to Software Acquisitions in the basement of the Undergraduate Library.
http://software.sites.unc.edu/
**Each year, some of your student fees are allocated to printing on campus. I think it is $20 per semester. While printing in the BIOS department is free, this is a great way to save our department some printing resources - it can be hectic sometimes with lots of students trying to print.
http://help.unc.edu/5965
Now that the business is out of the way, here are links to some fun things:
**For information on Tar Heel sports (including the basketball game ticket policy whenever it is finalized), refer to
http://goheels.com/
**There are free films shown in the Student Union on Fridays and Saturdays starting in late August until the semester ends. The dates/times/movies aren't posted yet but will be soon
carolinaunion.unc.edu/programs-orgs/carolina-union-activities-board/free-films
**Speaking of movies, the Media Resources Center (located in the basement of the Undergraduate Library) has movies to check out for students (free)
http://search.lib.unc.edu/filmfinder/
**Many interesting performances come to UNC's Memorial Hall. See this link
for more
http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all
Our registrar, Melissa Hobgood ([email protected]) and our student services manager, Veronica Stallings ([email protected]) are great points of reference. Again, welcome to UNC!
Click here to visit the slideshow of activities on the Prospective Students tab. Now, some 'business':
CHECKLIST FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
Please contact Nicole Butera ([email protected]) if you have questions.
1. Register for Classes
You can register for fall classes on ConnectCarolina (http://connectcarolina.unc.edu/). You might have to do it yourself, or your registrar may have already done it for you (Melissa Hobgood (last names A-M) or Veronica Stallings (last names N-Z)). Regardless, once you are assigned an advisor, you should consult with your advisor about what courses you should be taking in the fall. We recommend you set up a meeting with your advisor early on, before the semester gets going! We also recommend that you try to talk to your Big Buddy or other current students for advice about courses.
2. Human subjects training (ALL STUDENTS)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. To complete the training and for more information: https://www.citiprogram.org/. Please note there are 3 separate groups of training. Modules have been grouped for (1) Biomedical Research, (2) Social and Behavioral Research and (3) Research involving Data and Specimens only. Select the group that best describes your area of research.
On the registration page, complete the question that is the best fit.
Under main menu:
Step 1:
Add a course or update learner groups
Step 2:
I would like to review the Human Subjects Protection (“IRB”) modules
Step 3:
I have not completed the CITI UNC-Chapel Hill Basic Course.
Step 4:
Please select the Group appropriate to your research activities. You will be enrolled in the Basic Course for that Group.
Once you get past the registration page you will be able to select your group. Group 3: Research Involving Data and Specimens ONLY is the group you are interested in selecting. Make sure you include Biostatistics as your department. Please send Melissa Hobgood or Veronica Stallings a copy of the completion certificate once you have completed the training.
3. Conflict of interest training (ALL GRAs and TRAINEES)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. Conflict of interest training should be completed here: https://apps.research.unc.edu/coi-training/
4. Environment, health and safety training (ALL STUDENTS)
All training must be completed within 30 days of arrival. Environment, health and safety training should be completed here: http://ehs.unc.edu/training/neo.shtml
5. Payroll Paperwork (if you will be funded by the BIOS department)
To be put on payroll, incoming students should see Terry Link ([email protected]) in the fiscal office (3108 McGavran-Greenberg). You will need to bring with you the following:
* Direct Deposit form and a voided check or document from your bank to set up direct deposit
* Completed forms W-4, NC-4EZ or NC-4 NRA, Health Insurance Verification of Student Eligibility, and AP-2s form.
* Either an unexpired passport; or a photo id and social security card or birth certificate (there are other allowable documents but these are the most commonly used)
6. Health Insurance
While you are completing your paperwork to be put on payroll, you will also complete paperwork to enroll in your health insurance. GRAs/trainees are enrolled in the UNC Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan, which is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Information on student health insurance can be found here: https://www.bcbsnc.com/content/studentblue/uncch-ta/index.htm If you are a GRA/trainee, you will need to submit a waiver by September 12 to avoid being charged for student health insurance (you will receive an e-mail from UNC or Biostatistics student services about this).
7. Graduate School Orientation
The Graduate School’s 2016 Orientation for all new incoming graduate students will be held in the afternoon of Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the Carolina Club and the RAMS Head Recreation Center. Come to this orientation to learn about the variety of resources available to you through The Graduate School and other University units. Contact Lou Ann Phelps ([email protected]) or see the following website for more information: http://gradschool.unc.edu/events/orientation/.
8. UNC One Card (not until week before classes)
You will use something called a One Card as your UNC Student ID. You’ll use it for printing, getting into UNC events, and to prove you are a student to reap your discounts all over the country. You can’t get your One Card until the week prior to classes. Try to do this as early as possible, before the undergraduates arrive on campus. The One Card office is located in the Student Stores building, on the side of the building facing the Student Union.
9. International Students
If you are an international student, check out the following resources:
International Students Guide (Very important!) http://sph.unc.edu/students/international-students/ http://global.unc.edu/ http://uncbsa.weebly.com/international-students.html
10. NC Residency Website: http://registrar.unc.edu/academic-services/residency/
Full Manual: http://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/documents/state_residence_classification_manual.pdf Residency guide: http://registrar.unc.edu/academic-services/residency/residency-guide/
Residency Application (look at this now, but you won’t fill it out until the summer after your first year): https://apps.research.unc.edu/grad_res/
Go to the web site and read about everything you should do before the start of class this year (i.e. mid-August):
a. NC Driver’s license
b. Register car in NC
c. Car insurance in NC
d. Chapel Hill and/or Carrboro library card
e. Register to vote in NC (and actually vote in elections!)
f. Officially change your bank account address (and credit cards) to your NC address
g. And anything else that is listed or that would have your address listed (such as a utility bill at your residence).
h. Get involved in the community outside of UNC. Any non-university activity (from kickball to music to dance classes, etc) will look really good on your residency application.
The residency review panel really wants to know: Are you coming to UNC only for school? Or are you making an attempt to become an NC resident and spend tax dollars in NC for years to come? More information can be found at http://uncbsa.weebly.com/residency.html
11. Driver’s License and Car Registration
If you bring a car from out of state, you will need to switch your registration and plates to North Carolina within 90 days. Unfortunately, this is both expensive and inconvenient. You’ll need to go to the NC DMV (the closest one is in Carrboro Plaza) to retake your written drivers’ exam (I’m not kidding) and get a NC driver’s license. After you receive your NC driver’s license in the mail, you’ll need to drive to the
east side of Chapel Hill to register your car and get a NC license plate. You will have to pay some fees along the way, and each year you need to have your car inspected and pay property tax on your vehicle. Car inspections can be done at any service station in Orange County. Car insurance is mandatory in NC. Talk to older graduate students about the best places to insure your car.
More info: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/ http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/
Here are some potentially helpful links for your upcoming Driver’s test: http://freedmvpracticetests.com/nc-north-carolina http://freedmvpracticetests.com/nc-north-carolina/new-to-state/road-sign-practice-test http://freedmvpracticetests.com/north-carolina-dmv-drivers-handbook-manual
**UNC STOR BIOS Boot Camp, Aug 8-17: storbiosbootcamp.web.unc.edu/
**If you don't already know R (free software environment for statistical computing and graphics) or LaTeX (free high-quality typesetting system - basically makes typed math look very good. You will likely write your MS paper or PhD dissertation in LaTeX), it will be very beneficial to learn them. As both are free, you may install them on your machine and begin the process of learning them. In the past, there have been R and LaTeX short courses offered at the Odum Institute on campus in the early fall semester. www.odum.unc.edu/odum/contentSubpage.jsp?nodeid=21
but you can find the tutorials from the short courses for R and LaTeX at the following link
www.odum.unc.edu/odum/contentSubpage.jsp?nodeid=665
**I have also found the following freely available ~400 page book on statistics to be a nice supplement to the assigned material in our courses. It has nice ideas about the big picture for a lot of the material we learn in the first year, and also contains a lot of easy to absorb R code, especially for figures.
http://www.math.umass.edu/~lavine/Book/book.html
**If you need software that is not free (SAS or maybe others), head to Software Acquisitions in the basement of the Undergraduate Library.
http://software.sites.unc.edu/
**Each year, some of your student fees are allocated to printing on campus. I think it is $20 per semester. While printing in the BIOS department is free, this is a great way to save our department some printing resources - it can be hectic sometimes with lots of students trying to print.
http://help.unc.edu/5965
Now that the business is out of the way, here are links to some fun things:
**For information on Tar Heel sports (including the basketball game ticket policy whenever it is finalized), refer to
http://goheels.com/
**There are free films shown in the Student Union on Fridays and Saturdays starting in late August until the semester ends. The dates/times/movies aren't posted yet but will be soon
carolinaunion.unc.edu/programs-orgs/carolina-union-activities-board/free-films
**Speaking of movies, the Media Resources Center (located in the basement of the Undergraduate Library) has movies to check out for students (free)
http://search.lib.unc.edu/filmfinder/
**Many interesting performances come to UNC's Memorial Hall. See this link
for more
http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/genres/all
Our registrar, Melissa Hobgood ([email protected]) and our student services manager, Veronica Stallings ([email protected]) are great points of reference. Again, welcome to UNC!
This section was written to assist incoming students in the Statistics and Operations Research department. Hopefully, your transition to living in Chapel Hill and being a graduate student at UNC will go smoothly. To help you get settled, we’ve prepared a bit of advice for some common issues.
Getting Around, Getting What You Need
1. Airport Pickup
If you will be arriving by plane, Raleigh-Durham (RDU) is the closest airport to Chapel Hill. From there, you may take a taxi to Chapel Hill. We recommend Time To Go Taxi
2. Temporary accommodations
We hope that you will find an apartment and move in before the summer course begins. If you have complications, please contact us and we will do what we can to help.
3. Bank Account
You’ll want to set up a bank account after you arrive. There are a few options on Franklin St (Wachovia 165 E. Franklin St., or Bank of America 137 E. Franklin St.), and the State Employees’ Credit Union is on 310 Pittsboro St.
4. Drivers License and Car registration
If you bring a car from out of state, you will need to switch your registration and plates to North Carolina within 90 days. Unfortunately, this is both expensive and inconvenient. You’ll need to go to the NC DMV in Carrboro Plaza to retake your written drivers’ exam (I’m not kidding) and get a NC drivers’ license. Then, you’ll need to drive to the east side of Chapel Hill to register your car and get a NC license plate (210 S. Estes Drive, Suite 137 – it’s in this little shopping mall). You will have to pay some fees along the way, and each year you need to have your car inspected. This can be done at any service station in Orange County. Car insurance is mandatory in NC. Talk to older graduate students about the best places to insure your car.
5. UNC One Card (not until week before classes)
You will use something called a One Card as your UNC Student ID. You’ll use it for printing, getting into UNC events, and to prove you are a student to reap your discounts all over the country. The UNC One Card office will not open until the week prior to classes. It is located in the Student Stores building, on the side of the building facing the Student Union.
6. Chapel Hill/Carrboro Bus System
Go here: http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=1176. The bus system in Chapel Hill and Carrboro is completely free. Please note there are different schedules on weekends and holidays.
7. Parking (short answer - there isn’t much)
Parking is very limited and very expensive at UNC. On weekends, or after 5:00 PM on weekdays, you can often park on campus for free. There is a lot near the SPH in the FedEx building, and there are also 20-minute 'quick drop' locations outside of the SPH on Columbia ave. Please refer to this map: http://www.dps.unc.edu/maps/campus/Guide.pdf
On weekdays before 5:00 PM, there are metered locations on Cameron Ave west of campus, on South Road east of the Student Union, and on Franklin St. There are also two private parking ramps on Rosemary St. just east of Columbia St. In all cases, expect to pay about $1 per hour. The town of Chapel Hill will waive your first parking ticket, but after that you will pay a fine for parking illegally.
8. Biking
Chapel Hill and Carrboro have good bike lanes on many roads. The weather is also very good for biking (maybe not in August, but otherwise it’s ok). Biking is the cheapest, fastest way to be able to park right next to the SPH. Unlike with a car, you will not need to go to 2 separate offices to register it, nor will you need to pass a test or pay numerous fees.
On Campus
1. Lost on campus? http://www.maps.unc.edu/
2. Student Health Center http://campushealth.unc.edu/
The Student Health Center is located west of the football stadium
3. University Bookstore http://www.store.unc.edu/
The University bookstore is located at “The Pit” on campus, and is only a 10 minute walk from the SPH. You can buy textbooks, all office supplies, UNC Tar Heel stuff, other books, coffee, computer equipment, and there is a post office in the bookstore. It’s very convenient.
4. Food on campus
Very few graduate students bother to get a meal plan for the dining halls at UNC. The closest dining hall is The Beach, across the road from the SPH. Most students go to Franklin St. to find something to eat.
5. Food off campus
There are many options on Franklin St. Take a walk up and down Franklin one day to get a feel for what is available.
6. Do you like bluegrass live music?
The Carolina Inn on Cameron Ave. (5-10 minute walk from the SPH) hosts live music on their front lawn each Friday afternoon in the warmer months.
7. Carolina Performing Arts (http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/)
There are many great performances in Memorial Hall, right next to Hanes Hall. Tickets are only $10 for students.
8. UNC Athletic Events http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/
You will surely notice basketball is popular, but there are many other sports as well. Tickets are often free to students.
Stuff that’s close:
1. Southpoint Mall in Durham
It’s huge. If you need to buy something, chances are it is here. Take Hwy 54 East, then I-40 East to Fayetteville Rd (exit #276). Turn right. All will be revealed.
2. Parks in Chapel Hill and Carrboro http://carrboro.com/parks.html
3. Duke University http://www.duke.edu/
4. North Carolina State University http://www.ncsu.edu/
5. SAMSI (Statistics and Applied Mathematical Sciences institute) http://www.samsi.info/
6. Research Triangle Park
RTP houses many technology companies, including SAS. Our students often find internships with companies located here.
7. Raleigh
It’s North Carolina’s state capital. It has all the opportunities of a big city.
8. Durham
Durham is the closest city to Chapel Hill.
Stuff that isn’t close (hours driving time listed in parentheses):
1. Beaches (3-4 hours)
The closest beach is Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, NC. It’s about 3 hours drive. You can also go to the Outer Banks, which is an amazingly narrow strip of sand several hundred miles long off the coast of NC. This takes roughly four hours to get to. The Outer Banks has large sand dunes and a bit of American history (Roanoke Island is where the English first landed in 1585, and Kitty Hawk is where the Wright brothers flew the first airplane).
2. Washington D.C. (4.5)
Many museums and attractions in D.C. are completely free.
3. Asheville NC and the mountains (4)
Asheville is a city up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it serves as a convenient gateway to many outdoor activities (hiking, rafting, or rock climbing).
4. Great Smoky Mountain National Park (5.5)
America’s most visited National Park, and it’s free! It has lots of hiking and biking trails, along with great views of the Smoky Mountains; and, more species of trees than all of Europe! Who knew?
5. New York City (10-11)
It’s far, but has a lot to offer.
6. Alaska (91)
Just thought you should know.
Getting Around, Getting What You Need
1. Airport Pickup
If you will be arriving by plane, Raleigh-Durham (RDU) is the closest airport to Chapel Hill. From there, you may take a taxi to Chapel Hill. We recommend Time To Go Taxi
2. Temporary accommodations
We hope that you will find an apartment and move in before the summer course begins. If you have complications, please contact us and we will do what we can to help.
3. Bank Account
You’ll want to set up a bank account after you arrive. There are a few options on Franklin St (Wachovia 165 E. Franklin St., or Bank of America 137 E. Franklin St.), and the State Employees’ Credit Union is on 310 Pittsboro St.
4. Drivers License and Car registration
If you bring a car from out of state, you will need to switch your registration and plates to North Carolina within 90 days. Unfortunately, this is both expensive and inconvenient. You’ll need to go to the NC DMV in Carrboro Plaza to retake your written drivers’ exam (I’m not kidding) and get a NC drivers’ license. Then, you’ll need to drive to the east side of Chapel Hill to register your car and get a NC license plate (210 S. Estes Drive, Suite 137 – it’s in this little shopping mall). You will have to pay some fees along the way, and each year you need to have your car inspected. This can be done at any service station in Orange County. Car insurance is mandatory in NC. Talk to older graduate students about the best places to insure your car.
5. UNC One Card (not until week before classes)
You will use something called a One Card as your UNC Student ID. You’ll use it for printing, getting into UNC events, and to prove you are a student to reap your discounts all over the country. The UNC One Card office will not open until the week prior to classes. It is located in the Student Stores building, on the side of the building facing the Student Union.
6. Chapel Hill/Carrboro Bus System
Go here: http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=1176. The bus system in Chapel Hill and Carrboro is completely free. Please note there are different schedules on weekends and holidays.
7. Parking (short answer - there isn’t much)
Parking is very limited and very expensive at UNC. On weekends, or after 5:00 PM on weekdays, you can often park on campus for free. There is a lot near the SPH in the FedEx building, and there are also 20-minute 'quick drop' locations outside of the SPH on Columbia ave. Please refer to this map: http://www.dps.unc.edu/maps/campus/Guide.pdf
On weekdays before 5:00 PM, there are metered locations on Cameron Ave west of campus, on South Road east of the Student Union, and on Franklin St. There are also two private parking ramps on Rosemary St. just east of Columbia St. In all cases, expect to pay about $1 per hour. The town of Chapel Hill will waive your first parking ticket, but after that you will pay a fine for parking illegally.
8. Biking
Chapel Hill and Carrboro have good bike lanes on many roads. The weather is also very good for biking (maybe not in August, but otherwise it’s ok). Biking is the cheapest, fastest way to be able to park right next to the SPH. Unlike with a car, you will not need to go to 2 separate offices to register it, nor will you need to pass a test or pay numerous fees.
On Campus
1. Lost on campus? http://www.maps.unc.edu/
2. Student Health Center http://campushealth.unc.edu/
The Student Health Center is located west of the football stadium
3. University Bookstore http://www.store.unc.edu/
The University bookstore is located at “The Pit” on campus, and is only a 10 minute walk from the SPH. You can buy textbooks, all office supplies, UNC Tar Heel stuff, other books, coffee, computer equipment, and there is a post office in the bookstore. It’s very convenient.
4. Food on campus
Very few graduate students bother to get a meal plan for the dining halls at UNC. The closest dining hall is The Beach, across the road from the SPH. Most students go to Franklin St. to find something to eat.
5. Food off campus
There are many options on Franklin St. Take a walk up and down Franklin one day to get a feel for what is available.
6. Do you like bluegrass live music?
The Carolina Inn on Cameron Ave. (5-10 minute walk from the SPH) hosts live music on their front lawn each Friday afternoon in the warmer months.
7. Carolina Performing Arts (http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/)
There are many great performances in Memorial Hall, right next to Hanes Hall. Tickets are only $10 for students.
8. UNC Athletic Events http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/
You will surely notice basketball is popular, but there are many other sports as well. Tickets are often free to students.
Stuff that’s close:
1. Southpoint Mall in Durham
It’s huge. If you need to buy something, chances are it is here. Take Hwy 54 East, then I-40 East to Fayetteville Rd (exit #276). Turn right. All will be revealed.
2. Parks in Chapel Hill and Carrboro http://carrboro.com/parks.html
3. Duke University http://www.duke.edu/
4. North Carolina State University http://www.ncsu.edu/
5. SAMSI (Statistics and Applied Mathematical Sciences institute) http://www.samsi.info/
6. Research Triangle Park
RTP houses many technology companies, including SAS. Our students often find internships with companies located here.
7. Raleigh
It’s North Carolina’s state capital. It has all the opportunities of a big city.
8. Durham
Durham is the closest city to Chapel Hill.
Stuff that isn’t close (hours driving time listed in parentheses):
1. Beaches (3-4 hours)
The closest beach is Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, NC. It’s about 3 hours drive. You can also go to the Outer Banks, which is an amazingly narrow strip of sand several hundred miles long off the coast of NC. This takes roughly four hours to get to. The Outer Banks has large sand dunes and a bit of American history (Roanoke Island is where the English first landed in 1585, and Kitty Hawk is where the Wright brothers flew the first airplane).
2. Washington D.C. (4.5)
Many museums and attractions in D.C. are completely free.
3. Asheville NC and the mountains (4)
Asheville is a city up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it serves as a convenient gateway to many outdoor activities (hiking, rafting, or rock climbing).
4. Great Smoky Mountain National Park (5.5)
America’s most visited National Park, and it’s free! It has lots of hiking and biking trails, along with great views of the Smoky Mountains; and, more species of trees than all of Europe! Who knew?
5. New York City (10-11)
It’s far, but has a lot to offer.
6. Alaska (91)
Just thought you should know.