STUDENTS: PLEASE READ THIS LETTER CAREFULLY! THERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE!

April 2008

Dear SHINE 2007 Students & 2008 Incoming Students,

It is that time of the year again and we are excited to let you know that we will be going back to Zermatt Resort & Spa, located in the heart of Midway, Utah. Check the web site: http://www.zermatt.dolce.com

In order to apply for financial assistance, please fill out and submit the student financial support online form (click here).

Once you submit your information, your advisor will receive a notification email requesting him/her to send a one or two-paragraph e-mail stating why he/she thinks you will benefit from attending the conference to umbe@rice.edu. It is your duty to remind your advisor to send this information as soon as possible. We will notify you on the status of your application when all the required material is submitted. Once you have been granted support, please register on line by clicking here.

To get to Midway you will have to fly to Salt Lake City and then you take a Shuttle bus. It is a 45 min., beautiful drive. Shuttle reservation form will be available on line shortly. You will be in charge of faxing the form with your flight itinerary. Please let them know that you are a SHIINE supported grad student and that your fare should be on the SHINE Master bill in care of Umbe Cantú. I must approve rental cars prior to making a reservation.

Here are the names of the two travel agents that you can contact to book your flights (and please plan early to get the best fare possible). If you have a special situation, I need to approve it ahead of time.

Elaine and Lynn, Pulse Travel, Houston, TX

elaine@pulsetravel.com or lynn@pulsetravel.com

Tel: (281) 531-9500, 1-800-531-2512

Elaine and Lynn will have the SHINE credit card number to charge your ticket directly to Rice.

Please check the following sites to find cheaper fares:

http://www.travelocity.com

http://www.orbitz.com

http://cheaptickets.com

http://www.expedia.com

If you find something cheaper than what the travel agency finds for you, (it really doesn't take that much time to look), call me (weekends only) on my cell phone:  (713) 825-9505 during the week at (713) 348-4939 and we can purchase the tickets on line. This way your ticket gets charged directly to Rice and I do not have to reimburse anyone. PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR OWN TICKET!!

As in past years, I will make your lodging reservations and will let you know at a time (closer to the conference) what your confirmation number is and who your roommate will be.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Umbe Oliveira-Cantu

SHINE’08 Conference Administrator

umbe@rice.edu