Frequently Asked Questions about UNH and the 2007 TESSE Program: 
Where is Durham, NH, and what is the area like?
Because I’m driving, I need directions to UNH.
What is summer weather like in Durham, NH?
I heard we are going on field trips. Where are we going and how should I prepare?
What is the scheduling commitment for TESSE?
In my free time, what recreational activities in the Durham area can I participate in?
What items should I bring with me to UNH for the TESSE program?
Will the dormitory have air conditioning?
Will the dormitory have high-speed internet?
Will I have a roommate?
Where will I eat during my stay at UNH?
Is the dining hall food good? And what are the summer hours?
If I do not want to eat in the dining hall, what are the alternatives?
I have a car. Where can I park?
I have my own car. Can I drive myself to the field trip destinations?>
If I do not have a car, what transportation options are available?
I intend to take the course to earn Continuing Education Units/Credits. How much will I have to pay? And how will I register.
I intend to take the course to earn college credit. Will I have to pay, and how much?
How do I register to take the course for credit?
Where is Durham, NH, and what is the area like?
Durham is a community that deeply values the environment, the open spaces and flowing rivers that surround it, and the nearby Little and Great Bays. It has beautiful woodlands and parks that are available to the public. Durham is a scenic community that is strategically located with respect to the ocean, mountains, lakes, and several cosmopolitan areas. Portsmouth, Portland, and Boston are 20 minutes, 50 minutes, and 80 minutes away by car, respectively. Durham houses the University of New Hampshire, which is the state's premier public university. It has a bustling downtown which caters to the needs of present-day residents while still accommodating historic reminders of ages gone by. The population of Durham is ~13,000.
Because I’m driving, I need directions to UNH.
UNH is located off NH Route 4 (detailed directions)
From I-95 South (Maine), take Exit 5 (in NH) to the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16N), then take Exit 6W (Route 4 West) towards Durham to the Exit for Route 155A. Follow directions to the Visitor Information Center.
From I-95 North (Mass.), take Exit 4 (in NH) (left hand exit) to the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16N), then take Exit 6W (Route 4 West) towards Durham to the Exit for Route 155A. Follow directions to the Visitor Information Center.
From the West, take route 101 East to Exit 7 (Route 125 North). Follow Route 125 North to the traffic circle. Take Route 4 East to the Durham Exit (2 miles)(Route 155A). Follow directions to the Visitor Information Center.
What is summer weather like in Durham, NH?
(local weather)
Average Daily High Temperature for late July – 85º F
Average Daily (Overnight) Low Temperature for late July – 58º F
When dressing for New England weather, be prepared for anything. Typically, New Englanders dress in easily shed layers that may start with a T-shirt or lightweight shirt, and then a heavier long-sleeve shirt that can be taken off as temperatures rise, or put back on as temperatures dip. Short pants or skirts are preferred during daytime in the summer, but long pants, or slacks, should be kept close at hand in case nighttime temperatures drop. Lasting rain events in summer are generally rare and usually end after about a day. More commonly, a late afternoon or evening thunderstorm may deliver a hard rain lasting from a few minutes to a few hours. It is recommended that you bring either an umbrella or other rain gear. A rain coat can provide added protection from the elements on the Mt. Washington field trip (see Field Trips).
I heard we are going on field trips. Where are we going and how should I prepare?
We have three field trips planned. All three will happen rain or shine, so it is advisable that you prepare for any kind of weather. One of our field trips will be to Mt. Washington in north central NH. At 6288 feet, Mt. Washington ranks among the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River and boasts some of the worst weather on Earth. Even during high summer, it is not uncommon to encounter freezing temperatures, snow, and blowing ice. Typical temperatures range between 40-55º F, so you will definitely want to wear multiple layers, including a heavy sweatshirt and possibly a warm jacket or coat. In the adjacent valleys, temperatures will likely be in the 70-75º F range. A hat and sunscreen are recommended since it is likely we will enjoy sunny weather on this trip.
Another field trip will be a marine cruise aboard the UNH research vessel Gulf Challenger. This cruise will cover inland waters of the Great Bay Estuary, and so should make for a smooth ride. However, with potentially hot conditions and little shade, a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are highly recommended comfort items for this trip. Under no circumstances on this trip will open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip-flops be allowed. Sneakers, rubber soled shoes, or boots are required.
The third field trip is an evening excursion to the Christa MacAuliffe Planetarium. We will be indoors, so there are no special recommendations for clothing on this trip.
What is the scheduling commitment for TESSE?
In general, we are following a strict 9am-5pm contact schedule, with an hour for lunch from 12pm-1pm. There are also some additional activities, both optional and required, throughout the evenings and over the weekend. Punctuality and consistent attendance are basic expectations of the TESSE program, and are required for earning either CEU’s or credits.
In my free time, what recreational activities in the Durham area can I participate in?
Durham is home to Mendums pond, where you can kayak, canoe, swim, picnic, and/or fish.
As for nightlife in Durham, there are a few bars where you can meet and socialize.
There is a movie theater and mall in Newington, and UNH runs buses to both. Please be advised that these buses are also running on Reduced Service in the summer.
What items should I bring with me to UNH for the TESSE program?
Bring basic toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush/comb, soap, shampoo and whatever else you may require. Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are a must for the field trips. If you forget an item, there is a Brooks drugstore a short walk from campus. There are laundry facilities in every building, so you do not need to bring clothes for two weeks. However, only a blanket and pillow will be provided, so you will need to bring your own sheets and towels. Don’t forget to bring the rubber-soled shoes or boots for the cruise field trip as well as warm outerwear for the Mount Washington hike. You can also see the other sections on weather in Durham and suggested clothing for a more complete description of what clothes are necessary.
Will the dormitory have air conditioning?
Yes.
Will the dormitory have high-speed internet?
The entire campus is wired for high-speed internet, and some areas of campus (e.g., library) have wireless internet available. In your dorm room, you will need to provide your own Ethernet cable (or purchase one).
You will be staying in a single sex suite, where you will have your own room, but will share a common room and bathroom with the other occupants of the suite.
Where will I eat during my stay at UNH?
You will be given your own personal meal card that gives you swipe access to the UNH dining halls. Your meal plan provides three meals per day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are certain meals for which we have made special arrangements, but otherwise your meals will be served in the dining hall.
Is the dining hall food good? And what are the summer hours?
Our dining halls have recently won several awards, and most of our off campus visitors are very impressed by the quality of food and dining experience. Summer hours are as follows:
Breakfast 6:30am-8:30am
Lunch 11:30am-1:30pm
Dinner 4:30pm-6:30pm
If I do not want to eat in the dining hall, what are the alternatives?
There are several restaurants in town that you can choose as alternatives. For breakfast there is Young’s Restaurant, Breaking New Grounds, or the Bagelry. For lunch and dinner options you can go to Durham House of Pizza, Libby’s, Pauly’s Pockets, and others. The restaurants are mostly clustered on a short stretch along Main Street, but there is also a shopping strip next to the main drag that has the bagel shop and a Chinese restaurant, among others.
I have a car. Where can I park? (UNH parking page)
As a TESSE participant, your parking is being paid for. However, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the UNH parking rules and regulations. Failure to do so will likely result in a hefty fine. The TESSE Program and the Leitzel Center will not reimburse parking fines. Please revisit this question at a later date for more information on picking up your parking pass when you arrive, as well as some information on suggested parking lots or visit the link above.
I have my own car. Can I drive myself to the field trip destinations?
Under most circumstances, no! We want to keep our group together as much as possible to reduce the possibility of inefficiencies in communication and scheduling. You may miss important information if you do not travel with the group. However, if circumstances require you to drive, then we will attempt to come to a mutually agreeable solution.
If I do not have a car, what transportation options are available?
When traveling on the field trips, transportation is provided. However, if you want to visit the surrounding towns in your free time, the schedule for the UNH bus system can be found at www.unh.edu/transportation. Once there, click on “Wildcat Transit” and routes for buses to Dover, Portsmouth and Newmarket appear. Since we are on summer schedule, the service is Reduced, so please check the schedules accordingly to avoid being stranded.
Also there is Amtrak train service to Boston and to Portland as well as towns in between. Tickets must be booked in advance, either by phone, electronically, or at the ticket kiosk located in the Whittemore Center (by the pool and Dairy Bar). If booked by phone or online, tickets must be printed at the kiosk before boarding the train.
For emergencies, there are a few cab companies that service the Durham area. These are:
Lilac City Taxi (from Dover, NH) (603) 740-0080
Exeter Taxi (from Exeter, NH) (603) 778-7778
I intend to take the course to earn Continuing Education Units/Credits. How much will I have to pay? And how will I register.
You will not have to pay anything for Continuing Education Units/Credits. Costs will be paid for using grant money we have received. After you have completed the program satisfactorily, the TESSE administration will submit your name, address, telephone number, and social security number to the UNH Office of Professional Development and Training. You may substitute your DOB for your SSN if preferred. Once received, a permanent transcript documenting your CEUs will be created in your name.
I intend to take the course to earn college credit. Will I have to pay, and how much?
We are not able to pay tuition using money from our grant, so you will have to pay the published UNH tuition amount for a four credit course. The tuition cost is based on your state residency and whether you will be earning undergraduate or graduate level credits. We are able to pay any additional fees, so you are only responsible for paying your tuition. The amount you will have to pay can be determined by the following rubric:
Undergraduate Credit, In-State - $268/cr. x 4cr. = $1072
Undergraduate Credit, Out-of-State - $295/cr. x 4cr. = $1180
*Graduate Credit, In-State - $312/cr. x 4cr. = $1248
*Graduate Credit, Out-of-State - $344/cr. x 4cr. = $1376
*You can only earn graduate credit if you have earned a four year degree.
Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, and/or credit card.
How do I register to take the course for credit?
On the first day of the TESSE program, you will be given a registration form to complete and sign. This form and the full payment of your tuition will register you for the course. The TESSE administrative staff will assist you with this process. A check made payable to UNH must accompany your registration form.