Where will I live?
Am I allowed to camp?
What will I eat?
What should I bring?
Am I allowed to have guests?
What happens if I get sick?
What is the mailing address?
What is the phone number?
Can I purchase stamps from the Itasca office?
How can I make phone calls at Itasca?
What will it cost me to take a course at Itasca?
What kind of financial assistance is available?
Am I allowed to leave the Station on weekends?
Do I have to apply to take a field biology course at Itasca?
How many classes can I take?
Will my classes apply to my degree requirements?
Can I bring my car?
Can I bring my bike?
Where will I live?
Students live in bunk-style cabins. There are eight cabins for men, each
accommodating up to eight students, and nine cabins for women accommodating
six to ten students each. The women’s cabins are equipped with toilets
and sinks. A central bathhouse with laundry facilities is located near
each of these groups of cabins. There is no charge for using the laundry machines, but please remember to bring your own detergent.
Am I allowed to camp?
Students residing on-site for field biology courses are required to live in student housing.The small station campground is open only to graduate students, postdocs and researchers visiting the station. Students are welcome to arrange their own camping at either of the nearby Itasca Park campgrounds by contacting the Department of Natural Resources. The Pine Ridge and Bear Paw campgrounds are both within 1/2 mile of the station.
What will I eat?
Daily meals are served in an attractive dining hall located on the lakeshore.
All students housed in student cabins must purchase the meal plan,
as there are no cooking facilities in the student cabins. Meals are served all-you-can-eat buffet style and prices include all beverages, snacks and desserts. Vegetarian
options are available at every meal, and the kitchen staff will make
every effort to accommodate dietary restrictions. To discuss options,
contact Dawn Wannebo, Head Cook, at 218-266-3462.
What should I bring?
Students must provide their own bed sheets (twin sized) or sleeping bag, pillowcases, blankets, and towels. Since the nights are often cool, it is suggested that students bring a warm blanket. Essential
personal items include clothing for varying weather conditions (sweaters,
sweatshirts, shorts, pants, t-shirts, shoes or boots for fieldwork, a warm
jacket, warm socks, rain gear and a swimsuit), a flashlight, notebooks, writing
utensils, a calculator, sunscreen, bug repellent and laundry detergent.
Don’t forget your recreation equipment! Many opportunities exist for day hikes, canoeing, fishing, sun bathing, swimming, and wildlife photography. Bring your fishing gear, bicycle, roller blades, etc. There are sand volleyball courts, a soccer field, a basketball court, and a baseball diamond at the station, as well as canoes and kayaks. In addition, bicycles and boats are available to rent from Itasca Sports Rental, about 1/2-mile from the station. Students find it especially convenient to have a bicycle on campus for quick trips around the station, or for more extensive rides around the 17-mile Wilderness Road within the park.
Am I allowed to have guests?
Guests may find accommodations off campus in
one of the many resorts or hotels in the vicinity. They
are not allowed to stay overnight with students at the Itasca Station.
What happens if I get sick?
Medications for minor problems (e.g., colds and poison ivy) are kept
in the Itasca Program office. For more severe illnesses, emergency
service is available in Park Rapids. Outpatient emergency charges
that are not collectible from your insurance (excluding take-home drugs
and supplies) will be paid by your health service fee up to a maximum
of $100 per visit. If you are taking fewer than three credits and elect
not to pay the health service fee, all medical services are your responsibility.
In addition, everyone living at the Station is required to have hospitalization
insurance.
What is the mailing address?
Itasca Biological Station
University of Minnesota
28131 University Circle
Lake Itasca, MN 56470
What is the phone number?
The main office telephone number is 218-266-3302. Callers may leave messages
for students at this number, but will not be able to speak with students
when they call. Please let your family and friends know that it may
take time for you to receive messages, as much of your time will be
spent in the field and there are no phones in the student cabins. Be
sure to check the mailboxes in the front room of the office building
(which remains unlocked) for any messages or mail you are expecting.
Can I purchase stamps from the Itasca office?
No. You should bring your own stamps or purchase them from the Park Rapids
Post Office.
How can I make phone calls at Itasca?
Cell phone service is often unreliable within Itasca State Park. Two courtesy
phones are available at the Station and are operational with a phone card
(one just outside the office and another in the basement below the assembly
hall). The office does not sell phone cards, so please plan to purchase
one before you arrive.
What will it cost me to take a course at Itasca?
Room and board costs are paid directly to the Itasca Station and are due upon arrival on May 27. Costs for 2009 are posted on the tuition page. The Itasca Station accepts checks, cash, Visa
and Mastercard (we are not able to accept Discover or American Express) for room and board charges.
Students are billed separately for tuition and course fees through the Student Accounts Office at the U of M. Current information regarding tuition rates
What kind of financial assistance is available?
The College of Biological Sciences offers several scholarships. If you are receiving financial assistance from an outside party who will be paying your costs at Itasca, please make arrangements with the program coordinator in advance.
Am I allowed to leave the Station on weekends?
Yes. You may leave anytime, but if you are going to be absent overnight
or miss meals, please sign out on the sheet posted on the bulletin
board in the Dining Hall.
Do I have to apply to the University
of Minnesota to take a field biology course at Itasca?
No. Courses are open to all qualified graduate and undergraduate students
and to others with continuing education objectives. The general rules
for admission of graduates and undergraduates to the summer session
apply to the Itasca Biology Program. Students with previous college
work who wish to attend only the summer session may do so without filing
an application for admission to the University, provided they are in
good standing and are not degree candidates. Please see the registration page for details.
How many classes can I take?
Students may register for up to 8 credits, or two classes. If you do
register for two classes, be sure that they meet on alternate days.
Will these classes apply to my degree requirements?
Most students have no problem transferring Itasca course credits to
their school. Check with the student services office or your advisor
at your institution beforehand to be sure. If you need to get in touch with
a specific instructor about specific course content, please contact the program
coordinator.
Can I bring my car?
Students may bring their own cars, but garages and repair services are
not available. A state park entry sticker must be purchased from the
DNR at the park entrance and displayed in all vehicles. An annual pass
for $25 provides access to all Minnesota state
parks for an entire year! Students interested in carpooling should contact the program
coordinator.
Can I bring my bike?
Students are encouraged to bring bikes to explore the 17-mile Wilderness
bike trail as well as for trips around the Itasca Campus.
