Where is the Simons Center located?
What are the local attractions?
How close is the Simons Center to NYC?
Can I visit the Simons Center without an invitation?
Who do I contact for more information about the Simons Center and for an invitation to visit the Simons Center?
I received an invitation to visit the Simons Center. What do I do next?
I need a Visa in order to visit the Simons Center. Who do I contact about this?
I will require housing assistance for my visit. Who do I contact about this?
I am receiving travel reimbursement. What does that entail?
How do I arrive at the Simons Center and what transportation is best?
What are the bus and train schedules for Stony Brook?
What are the Simons Center’s building hours?
What are the Simons Center Café hours?
How do I access the Simons Center parking lot?
How do I obtain an office key and is there a deposit due?
Who do I see when I arrive at the Simons Center and how do I obtain a Simons Center house key?
Where are the hotels located?
Are there daycare options available?
Click here for additional practical information
Where is the Simons Center located?
The Simons Center is located on Stony Brook University’s campus near the mathematics and physics buildings. There is a bridge linking the Simons Center directly to the mathematics building. Directions to the Simons Center can be found here: Directions to the Center
Maps of campus: http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/maps
What are the local attractions?
Stony Brook Village is a 5 minute drive from the University and offers several shops, restaurants and events throughout the year.
For information on Stony Brook Village visit: http://www.stonybrookvillage.com/.
While visiting the Simons Center, we recommend visiting Port Jefferson Village. Port Jefferson is located on the North Shore of Long Island and is home to many restaurants and unique shops. For more information on the events going on in Port Jefferson during your visit, please see: http://www.portjeff.com/.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is located about 30 miles east of Stony Brook University, and offers public tours as well as organized scientific visits.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bnl.gov/world/.
Cold Spring Harbor Lab is located about 30 miles west of Stony Brook University and offers public lectures and other events throughout the year.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cshl.edu/.
The Staller Center for the Arts is located on the Stony Brook University campus and offers cultural events throughout the year.
Please see the following for schedule of events and ticketing information: https://www.staller.sunysb.edu/index.html.
How close is the Simons Center to NYC?
The Simons Center is located approximately 60 miles east of Manhattan. During your visit, you can easily take the Long Island Rail Road to Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. Please visit the Long Island Rail Road website for a train schedule. http://lirr42.mta.info.
Can I visit the Simons Center without an invitation?
Unless it is a special circumstance extended by the Director and/or the Chief Administrative Officer, all academic visitors to the Simons Center must apply and be officially accepted to participate in a program, workshop, or event. You may apply to visit the Center on our website here: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/science/apply.
Who do I contact for more information about the Simons Center and for an invitation to visit the Simons Center
Please email contact@scgp.stonybrook.edu for information. You may also call (631) 632-2800.
I received an invitation to visit the Simons Center. What do I do next?
Please reply to the invitation as soon as possible with the dates of your visit and all other required information. Program space is based on a first come, first serve basis, so it is imperative that you choose your requested arrival and departure dates as soon as possible. If you will require a J-1 visa in order to visit the Center, you must let us know the dates of your visit at least three months in advance – we cannot guarantee your visa paperwork will be complete if we do not know your dates at least three months ahead of time.
I need a Visa in order to visit the Simons Center. Who do I contact about this?
Please contact Melissa Wessler with any visa related questions at mwessler@scgp.stonybrook.edu.
Check to see if your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program. A list of Visa Waiver countries can be found here.
If your country is not part of the visa waiver program, see if you qualify for a B (business) visa. Information on B visas can be found here.
For payment purposes, we strongly recommend that you apply for either a WB (waiver-business) or B (business) visa. You may not be eligible to receive the payment/reimbursement specified in your letter of invitation if you arrive on a tourist (B-2) or WT (waiver-tourist) visa.
I will require housing assistance for my visit. Who do I contact about this?
Please contact housing@scgp.stonybrook.edu with any housing related questions. Please click here for information about SCGP visitor housing.
I am receiving travel reimbursement. What does that entail?
If you are receiving travel reimbursement, your max allotted amount will be stated in your invitation letter; this does not mean that you are going to receive the max amount, but that you may receive up to that amount.
Only transportation-related expenses will be reimbursed (Uber/Lyft, taxis, flights, trains, rental cars, gas, buses and/or personal mileage). No meal receipts will be accepted unless otherwise stated in your invitation.
E-tickets are acceptable for flights and any tickets purchased online. It is important to keep all original receipts of tickets purchased in person; if you do not save the originals, you may not be reimbursed for these expenses. Proof of payment must be presented for all expenses.
If your travel consists of a multi-destination flight, please print out a comparison roundtrip flight at the time of your flight purchase. If a comparison flight is not printed at the time of your flight purchase, reimbursement will be up to our discretion based on future travel arrangements.
Payment will be made via check (free of charge) or wire transfer. There is a $15 fee for domestic wires and a $30 fee for international wires. Payment usually takes between 10-12 weeks, regardless of the method of payment.
The individual/entity purchasing the travel expenses will be the one receiving reimbursement. If your institution is paying for your expenses, your institution will be reimbursed directly.
Please note that the payment office does not reimburse visa fees or travel insurance.
*** Reimbursements must be submitted within 2 months of the program/workshop you are attending. Any reimbursements submitted after this deadline will not be accepted. ***
If you have any further questions, please contact Melissa Wessler at mwessler@scgp.stonybrook.edu
How do I arrive at the Simons Center and what transportation is best?
Please follow this link for directions to the Simons Center: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/about/directions
What are the bus and train schedules for Stony Brook?
You can search LIRR train schedules here: https://new.mta.info/schedules
You can find information on the Suffolk Transit (bus) here: https://scgp.stonybrook.edu/bus-information
What are the Simons Center’s building hours?
The Simons Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once visitors receive an access key, they can enter the building before and after hours, and on weekends.
What are the Simons Center Café hours?
Please follow this link for the Simons Center Café information and hours of operation: https://simonscenter.lessings.com
How do I access the Simons Center parking lot?
If you are driving to the Simons Center, please contact Melissa Wessler at mwessler@scgp.stonybrook.edu, prior to your arrival for the gate code.
How do I obtain an office key and is there a deposit due?
In order to obtain an office key, you must see Melissa Wessler in office 408 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please note that you must bring a $20 deposit with you, which will be given back once the key is returned upon your departure.
Who do I see when I arrive at the Simons Center and how do I obtain a Simons Center house key?
Please see Melissa Wessler in office 408 when you arrive for a photo, office assignment and office key.
Where are the hotels located?
Danfords Hotel and Marina is located at 25 East Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY. For more information about the hotel, please follow this link to their FAQ page: https://www.danfords.com/faqs/
The Hilton Garden Inn is located on the Stony Brook University campus and is within walking distance to the Simons Center. For directions to this hotel, please follow this link: http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-garden-inn-stony-brook-ISPSBGI/maps-directions/index.html
Parking is free at both hotels.
Are there daycare options available?
Short-term daycare in the Stony Brook area is on a first-come first-serve basis. You must contact the daycares and complete a registration/application. Space may be limited, depending on the time of year.
The following are local, recommended daycares:
Kiddie Academy of East Setauket – (631) 941-2100 – https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/east-setauket/
Stony Brook University Daycare – (631) 632-6930 – https://www.stonybrook.edu/childcare/
