WELCOMING NOTES

THE VIMS GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Introductory Comments

Congratulations on your acceptance to the graduate program at VIMS! The material in this portion of your packet was prepared by SMS/VIMS graduate students to assist you with the move to Gloucester Point, and has little to do with academic matters. Housing rental information as compiled by the SMS registrar's office is also included in this packet. If you have any questions that this material does not answer, feel free to call or e-mail any of the VIMS Graduate Student Association officers listed on the last page.

You may be wondering what exactly the VIMS Graduate Student Association (GSA) is and how it's relevant to your existence at VIMS. The VIMS GSA is just that, an association of graduate students. GSA provides a means for student input to the administration on academic, financial and professional matters, coordinates VIMS social events, administers small conference travel and research minigrant funds, and acts as a conduit for information from William and Mary's main campus and other student organizations. You are a member of GSA by virtue of the fact that you are a VIMS graduate student!

For those of you with assistantships, an urgent warning about money. As you have probably realized, the tuition you will pay (even at the in-state rates) will consume much of your paycheck. Until you are admitted to candidacy (see graduate program studies guide), you will be required to enroll in and pay for 9 credit hours in both fall and spring terms and 1 credit for each of the summer sessions for your entire tenure at VIMS. If you do not have at least $5000 in savings, be prepared to borrow money, get a loan, and/or live very, very frugally.

Gloucester Point??

Now, a bit about the area which you are preparing to inhabit. Gloucester Point is an unincorporated town in Gloucester County. The county government is situated in the town of Gloucester in the Gloucester Courthouse. All rural Virginia counties are established this way, and incorporated towns are politically separate from the counties. The Gloucester Chamber of Commerce (804-693-2425) is quite helpful for general information, but has little specific information on "the Point."

Just to the south of Gloucester Point, across the York River, is a peninsula defined by the York and James Rivers. The city of Williamsburg is on the landward (northwest) portion of the peninsula, and the cities of Newport News and Hampton fill the seaward (southeast) part of the peninsula. Locally, this area is called "The Peninsula," although in the rest of Virginia it is called the Lower Peninsula, while Gloucester is on the Middle Peninsula. Newport News and Hampton are part of the Hampton Roads metropolis, which also includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, across the James River. "Hampton Roads" comes from the name for the mouth of the James River, an important naval and commercial port. None of the five cities around Hampton Roads dominates in size, but Norfolk is the economic and cultural hub. Military and military-related industries dominate the economy of the region. Washington D.C. is only 3 hours away and within half a day's drive there is enough historical, cultural, and natural interest to occupy what little spare time you will have.

Another important tidbit to remember: the York River is a dividing line. The south side of the river is York County, the north is Gloucester County. This may make a difference for insurance purposes. For phone service, any numbers on the south side are area code `757'. When calling from the north side (area code `804'), many numbers are considered long distance calls, although Yorktown, Newport News, and some other jurisdictions are now local calls. Anyone who winds up living on the south side also gets to deal with a daily commute across the George P. Coleman Bridge and associated tolls; more on this in a minute.

Transportation

As of yet, there is no regular public transportation in our area. Greyhound Bus has a once-daily bus that stops in Gloucester Courthouse, 12 miles to the north. Greyhound also has service to Williamsburg (17 miles to the southwest, across the Coleman bridge). Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport, 11 miles to the south in Newport News, has several flights per day with several major airlines (USAirways, United, AirTran). The largest airport in the area is Norfolk International Airport, about 35 miles southeast. Richmond International Airport (about 50 miles west) is also a viable flight option. Amtrak trains stop twice daily in Williamsburg and Newport News.

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Although some students use bicycles to commute to VIMS, this is practical only if you do not have to ride along busy main roads for any significant distance. Most students have cars. The Commonwealth of Virginia charges $10.00 per year for vehicle inspection and $26.00 per year for vehicle registration (the latter applies only if you choose to register your car in Virginia). Gloucester County has a flat tax of $20.00 per vehicle annually, plus a personal property tax that can be over $100 per year for new cars. VIMS students purchase day-student parking passes from the College of William and Mary to park at the VIMS campus. Passes are approximately $52, valid for one calendar year, and available during the SMS/VIMS Orientation period. Be prepared to pay $30 per parking ticket, if you choose not to buy a parking pass. William and Mary parking officials do come (without warning!) and ticket!

In the event of car trouble, there are several reliable local service stations in walking distance from VIMS. All of the major car dealers are represented in either Newport News or Williamsburg. It's usually not difficult to find someone to drop you off or pick you up. Several dealers (notably the Honda dealer in Williamsburg) provide rental car service during vehicle servicing.

There is a large Department of Motor Vehicles office on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, another office at the intersection of Capitol Landing Road and Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg, as well as a licensing center on 17 North heading towards Gloucester Courthouse. There are also two AAA offices located in Hampton and Williamsburg.

Auto insurance is about average for the US; about $700 per year for liability only for a male, single student under 25, with an average record. As in most states, liability insurance is required. There are local branches of many of the major national insurance companies (State Farm, Allstate, etc.)

Shopping

Shopping in Gloucester County is relatively limited. There are several small department stores (Peebles, Wal-Mart) between VIMS and Gloucester Courthouse. Most shopping opportunities are found across the York River in Newport News. There are three major shopping malls; Patrick Henry (12 miles), Coliseum Mall (18 miles), and Newmarket Fair (20 miles). In addition, there are many smaller shopping centers, especially along Highway 17, Warwick Boulevard, and Mercury Boulevard. North of Williamsburg on Richmond Road there are numerous factory outlet malls, of which the largest is the Williamsburg Pottery.

The major local grocery chains are Farm Fresh and Food Lion as well as a Winn Dixie up near Gloucester Courthouse. Food Lion and Winn Dixie usually have the best produce selections, but Farm Fresh has a bakery, a fish market, and a meat department that's competitive with Winn Dixie. There is also a Super K-Mart in Newport News that has a surprisingly good produce section (recommended by at least one vegetarian!). A closer option may be the super Wal-mart in Newport News, near the Patrick Henry Mall. The Fresh Market in Williamsburg also provides some gourmet foods, but be prepared to pay more. There are several options for international food stores across the bridge in Newport News and Hampton.

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Banks

Two of Virginia's largest banks, Crestar and First Union, have branches near VIMS, and many students have their accounts at those places. Crestar is located at the VIMS stoplight, and First Union is two miles north, past the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Other potential banking options include First Virginia (across from Food Lion) and Chesapeake Bank (near McDonalds and Farm Fresh) and several other smaller banks and Savings & Loans. Perhaps underutilized are two local credit unions, Naval Weapons Station and Langley Federal Credit Union. The credit unions do not require a minimum checking account balance, as opposed to some of the other banks in the area, which may require a minimum balance of $500-$1000. For further convenience, the College of William and Mary has a direct deposit option with virtually any bank you choose to do business with.

Medical

Student health insurance from Trigon Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available annually through the College of William and Mary for about $600. This option is less expensive than most local insurance policies and allows a student to see a local physician. If you get injured while working on your assistantship at VIMS, you will be covered by worker's compensation. The Student Health Center at William and Mary has many inexpensive services, although it may be a hassle to actually take advantage of them. Before you make the trek over to Williamsburg (20+ minutes), be sure to call ahead to make an appointment and find out clinic times — they are limited and often changing. If you miss or do not cancel a scheduled appointment, you may be fined $5-$10.

The closest hospital is Mary Immaculate on Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News, but if the Coleman Bridge is clogged, the next closest hospital is Riverside on HWY. 17 just north of Gloucester Courthouse. If you swallow a crab whole or get bitten by a toadfish, Riverside is where the ambulance will take you.

Fitness

There is a large health club, Riverside Fitness Center, near the hospitals in Newport News, and a smaller club by the same name next to the Gloucester hospital. Both of these have swimming pools, as does the Rec Center at William and Mary. Rec Center schedules are available from the Office of Recreational Sports and your student ID will get you in for free. There is also a Bally's near Patrick Henry Mall, in Newport News.

Cultural Attractions or

"What to do when relatives visit?"

A. Museums

Yorktown National Historic Park: Across the York River in Yorktown, within sight of VIMS. There is a small free museum at the park headquarters, on the east side of Yorktown, and a re-creation of a military camp, complete with actors (seasonally), on the west side of Yorktown. In addition there are miles of roads and trails through the former battlefields, which make a pleasant drive or bicycle trip. Biking is now permitted across the Coleman Bridge, but it may be safer to drive your bike over. The battlefields are also an excellent place to fly kites and watch the deer come out to feed at dusk.

Jamestown Island National Historic Park: 18 miles; at the end of Colonial Parkway. Guided tours, active archeological digs, some re-creations, detailed trails, industry demonstrations (glass-blowing), and gift shops. Seasonal. There is a per person charge of $5 to enter the Island.

Yorktown Victory Center: 2 miles; across the bridge, west of 17 south. Main museum with period exhibits, videos and gift shop. Periodic re-enactments and period demonstrations.

Virginia Living Museum: 13 miles; at the junction of Hwy. 17 and Jefferson Ave. This museum includes a planetarium, interesting displays, and an outdoor mini-zoo with foxes, beavers, etc.

Mariners Museum: 15 miles; take Hwy. 17 into Newport News where it becomes J. Clyde Morris Blvd.; keep going until the road dead-ends at the museum. This has interesting displays on ships and shipbuilding, and is well worth the visit. It also has a scenic, paved five-mile walking trail.

Jamestown Historic Park: 16 miles; at the end of Jamestown Road, which begins on the south side of W&M. Like the other historic parks in the area, this has actors and re-created period architecture and artifacts. Seasonal, and also free to VIMS students with ID.

Chrysler Museum: about 35 miles; downtown Norfolk. This is the largest and best art museum in the Hampton Roads area. Also in Norfolk are botanical gardens, a small zoo, the Waterfront Mall, and various waterfront activities. Do not stray from these designated areas, however, because the neighborhoods quickly deteriorate in some areas.

Nauticus Maritime Center: about 35 miles; downtown Norfolk. This museum specializes in naval history, with several exhibits on historic and modern naval artillery. Occasionally, tours are given of ships docked at Nauticus.

Virginia Marine Science Museum: about 50 miles; in Virginia Beach, two miles south of the main oceanfront hotel strip. This is a fairly long drive, but it is the best museum in the area for general coverage of ocean sciences. It is a good place to entertain ocean-illiterate friends or relatives for an afternoon. Also, there are seasonal whale watches run from the museum!

B. Amusement Parks

Busch Gardens: 12 miles; follow signs from I-64 near Williamsburg. Amusement Park, gift shops. VIMS has discounted tickets for students, staff and faculty, but they sell out quickly. One can also get free tours of the Busch brewery adjacent to the amusement park as well as two free beers at the Hospitality House, at the same location.

Water Country: 10 miles; follow signs from I-64 east of Williamsburg. Water slides, rides, many pools, various gift shops. VIMS has discounted tickets for students, staff and faculty, but they sell out quickly.

Paramount's Kings Dominion: 60+ miles, off I-95 north of Richmond. Amusement park, gift shops. VIMS has discount tickets available through the cashier's office.

C. Restaurants

Gloucester Point: Pizza Hut (1/2 mile north of VIMS) and Sal's Sicilian Pizza (which also serves burgers and sandwiches, located next to Farm Fresh 4 miles north of VIMS) are the main VIMS hangouts for lunch. There is a Chinese restaurant, Hong Kong, a Taco Bell, a Burger King, a Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a Subway Station in the Food Lion shopping plaza a couple miles north of VIMS. McDonalds and Wendys are located a few miles further north. When Dominoes set up a store near Pizza Hut in December 1994, it was big local news for weeks. A more recent addition, is Johnny's Country Western Bar which just opened near Pizza Hut. A Subway is located in the East Coast gas station, about 2 blocks north of VIMS. For fine dining, there is the River's

Gloucester Courthouse: Goodfellows (on 17 south of Gloucester) has good food and prices (steak/seafood). Seawell's Ordinary is located just north of the Farm Fresh and serves tavern-style food (slightly pricey). A great new deli, The Deli Bred is located just off 17 N, heading into the courthouse, and offers great sandwich lunches (with chips and a pickle) for about $5. Kelswick Gardens (Main Street, Gloucester) is sort of a yuppie up-scale place for lunch with great sandwiches and soups for about $6 each. The Merry Toad (previously known as Capers) is one of the best restaurants in the county, although a bit pricey ($8-$16 per entree); it is on Main Street in Gloucester. The Courthouse Restaurant (also on Main Street) serves a hearty breakfast fare, complete with great home fries and grits (if you're looking for the complete southern dining experience!).

Yorktown: The Yorktown Pub is a favorite hot spot with the VIMS crowd. It's a fun place to go for drinks or food (ask for a Pub Cheeseburger or Jalapeno Poppers), but quick service is not a Pub specialty. Nick's Seafood Pavilion, right off of Hwy. 17, is somewhat of a local landmark. The decor is deplorable and the prices are high, but the food is good. Waterstreet Landing, located between the Pub and Nick's, just opened and serves a mean gourmet pizza at a fairly reasonable price.

Williamsburg: If you're looking for the local college deli, you have several options: Paul's and the College Deli (directly across from William and Mary's Stadium), the Cheese Shop, and the Downtown Shortstop Cafe. The Green Leafe Cafe fits the bill for a more up-scale college hangout with an excellent beer selection. Almost all of the chains known to man are represented along Richmond Road (e.g. Uno's, Red Lobster, Outback Steak-house, Ruby Tuesday's, The Olive Garden). Some of the smaller, non-chain restaurants are often better/cheaper options. If you're looking for local Mexican cuisine, La Tolteca is a good option. The Mongolian Barbecue off of the Route 60 bypass, near K-mart, is also a reasonable choice. For a more ethnic experience, try Chez Trinh for some great Vietnamese food at respectable prices. It's right near the Williamsburg Community Hospital.

When someone else is treating, you might recommend Berret's, the Trellis, the Whaling Company, or the Williamsburg Inn (all near or in Colonial Williamsburg). Sakura Japanese Seafood and Steak House (and sushi!), just off Richmond Road across from the College, offers discount prices for students. Be sure to ask at other restaurants, as many establishments do give student discounts.

For those of you that love ice cream, there are TWO Ben and Jerry's locations in Williamsburg (off Richmond Road near the outlets and off Route 60 near Busch Gardens). There's a Baskin Robbins store near downtown Colonial Williamsburg, too.

Newport News: Warwick Boulevard in Newport News has a high concentration of Asian restaurants. The best of these is Thai Erawan, located down near Oyster Point Road. It is a tiny place, but the food is excellent. Yang Ming House, about 1.5 miles south of the Denbigh/Warwick intersection next to Food Lion, serves authentic Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices (and less spiciness). In the same area is an excellent Italian restaurant, Carmela's. For Mexican cuisine, El Mariachi and Don Pablo's is popular. For sushi, try Kappo Nara or Sushi Yama. There is also a fast food style Japanese sushi bar at the Patrick Henry Mall. Patrick Henry Mall also boasts a Ruby Tuesday's, Outback Steakhouse, and a variety of other chains.

Hampton: The Hampton Coliseum Mall has a varied selection of chains associated with it including an Olive Garden and Chili's. Local eating establishments abound as well including Fire and Ice (a bit pricey) with unique beers, salads, and entrees.

D. Pubs

The Yorktown Pub on the waterfront in Yorktown (see restaurants) is the drinking establishment most frequented by VIMS students. As mentioned above, the River's Inn has a seasonal crab deck, which makes a great evening on the water. Both Cruiser's (Ark, VA) and Dawson's (just south of Yorktown) are local drinking establishments full of color, but not recommended for groups of less than three or four. In Williamsburg, the favorite student bars are the Greenleafe Cafe and Paul's Deli, next door to each other

E. Coffee, Bagels, and Such

For you javaholics, there are numerous coffee shops sprouting up in the area. The new Barnes and Noble, near the Patrick Henry Mall, features a Starbucks cafe. In Williamsburg, there are at least two options: Prince George's Cafe (located on Prince George Street) and the Meridian Cafe, located right next to Parking Services (on S. Boundary St.). Manhattan Bagels is located in Williamsburg, off Richmond Road. There is also another Manhattan Bagels located in Newport News and a Chesapeake Bagel Company near the Super K-Mart at Kiln Creek. The Carrot Tree (Jamestown Road in Williamsburg) and The Trellis (Colonial Williamsburg) are popular choices for fantastic desserts.

F. Movie Theaters

The closest and largest cinema in the area is Regal Cinemas 8-plex theater, located right next to Food Lion. You may never have to cross the bridge for entertainment, again! Another option is at the Patrick Henry Mall, with seven theaters and a student discount. In Gloucester Courthouse there is a small Hill Side Twin Theaters,

F. Concert Halls

A surprising number of musical groups tour through the area. In Norfolk, many groups play at the Boathouse (a relatively small venue) and Chrysler Hall. The GTE Amphitheater in Virginia Beach also hosts big-name bands and entertainers from around the country. There are many outdoor concerts for free at the Town Point Park during the summers. The College's Phi Beta Kappa Hall hosts both an annual Concert Series and numerous other plays and festivals. In Virginia Beach, there are outdoor concerts on the beach. The Abyss also has many bands. In Hampton, big name groups play at the Hampton Coliseum. There is also an outdoor concert ground at Strawberry Banks near Hampton. The Richmond Coliseum is also a potential concert spot.

G. Local Sports Teams

The Norfolk Tides baseball team have an extensive schedule and Tides games are frequent VIMS impromptu outings during the summer. The Hampton Admirals Hockey Team provides similar opportunities during the winter months.

H. Radio

There is no shortage of local radio stations that play "both kinds of music, Country AND Western". There are others, but the following non-country radio stations, which can be received most of the time, appear to be the most popular with VIMS students.

WHRV 89.5: Jazz, folk music, National Public Radio, Garrison Keillor, etc.; a public radio station.

WHRO 90.3: Classical music and opera; a public radio station.

WNOR 98.7: Pop rock, with a heavy component of 60's and 70's hits.

WWDE 101.3: Pop rock, with a heavy component of 60's and 70's hits.

WAFX 106.9: Classic rock station

93.7: The Coast, World Class Rock; a little bit of everything, with some

acoustic and alternative shows

96.1: 96X, Alternative/progressive music

94.9: The Point, Modern alternative

Social Activities at VIMS

The VIMS Graduate Student Association puts a significant part of its money and effort into social activities. About once a month there are GSA-sponsored TGIF seminars, followed by beer and chips at Page House. The annual Fall Pig Roast and Spring Party are social extravaganzas complete with bands, excellent food, and plenty of beverages. There are other regularly scheduled functions at VIMS and on the main W&M campus throughout the year which GSA advertises.

The VIMS Sail and Paddle Club provides an opportunity to take advantage of the local water. The Club owns a Laser and has had access to College canoes, windsurfers, and day sailers. Annual dues are $15 and

The College's intramural sports program (soccer, softball, floor hockey, basketball, volleyball, football, etc.) are also fun ways to meet people outside of your lab and are very popular at VIMS. Most of the games are located on the William and Mary main campus. Some students have participated in musical, athletic, etc. organizations based on the main campus as well. Community groups may also offer dance and art classes for people of all skill levels.

Climate and Local Flora and Fauna

From May to September the temperature almost never drops below 80 degrees F, and humidity hovers around 70%. You should not leave your car windows open, however, because thunderstorms come up suddenly, often dropping more than an inch of rain in a few minutes. The lightning accompanying thunderstorms has been known to damage computers and cable TV switch boxes, so if possible, leave these things unplugged when not in use. From December to March there will be, at irregular intervals, Arctic episodes cold enough to freeze the you-know-whats off a brass monkey, but winter temperatures are equally likely to rise above 70 de

rees for days at a time. Fortunately, spring and autumn are pleasant and fairly predictable. In April, the dogwoods and redbuds bloom, and in October the fall colors are at their peak.

Never go into the woods unprepared in Virginia. The predominant undergrowth seems to be green briar and poison ivy, which are equally potent all seasons of the year. From April to October, if the plants don't get you, the bugs will. Large ticks are common, and smaller ticks can carry Lyme's disease. Learn what these ticks look like and remember to do a tick check after a day in the woods. In the spring and fall, minute

Be prepared with clothing for all possible types of weather and plenty of insect repellent and hydrocortisone, but don't worry, Virginia's beauty and abundance of other benign life forms should compensate for the small inconveniences that the bugs and weather create.

Pronunciation, or

How Not to Sound Like You Just Arrived

As you may have discovered by now, "Gloucester" is pronounced "GLAW-ster." It is OK to pronounce Yorktown the way it is spelled, although the locals say "YAWK-town." Norfolk is "NAW-fick" or "NAW-fuck," and Portsmouth can be "PORTS-muth" or "PAWT-smith." Denbigh is pronounced "DEN-be," not "Den-BYE." Virginia, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Smithfield are all pronounced as you would in any other part of the US.

There are a number of names derived from American Indian terms. "Rappahanock" is pronounced like it looks, with an accent on the third syllable. "Poquoson" is pronounced "po-KO-sun." The two rivers that join to form the York River are the Pamunky ("Pa-MUN-key") and the Mattaponi ("Matta-pon-EYE"). A common place name in Virginia and Maryland is "Wicomico," pronounced "Wy-KO-miko." For others, ask someone before embarrassing yourself in front of the locals.

"Watermen," never "fishermen," is the correct collective term for people who harvest fish, crabs and shellfish from the Chesapeake Bay. Oysters or "AR-sters" are available from September through April. Virginia, like Pennsylvania or Massachusetts, does not call itself the "State" of Virginia, but the "Commonwealth." Don't worry, you'll catch onto the local ways of speaking quite quickly!

Booklet Written By:

Shelby Walker

VIMS GSA Officers

Teresa Lewis, President (804) 684-7238

Shelby Walker, Vice President (804) 684-7597

Rebecca Countway, Treasurer (804) 684-7439

Jason Goldberg, Secretary (804) 684-7673

Important Numbers

General (804) 684-7000

Security (804) 642-7844 (pager)

College of William & Mary

General (757) 221-4000

Financial aid (757) 221-2420

Student Health Center (757) 221-4386

Bursar (757) 221-1217

Parking Services (757) 221-4764

Recreation Center (757) 221-3310