Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA
Photo credit: kgradinger on Flickr

Pennsylvania Department of Education Hearing Information

By plane, train, or automobile, Wilson alumnae are traveling to Harrisburg to attend the hearing at the Pennsylvania Department of Education on June 16. Be part of this remarkable event! Alumnae who are arriving on Sunday, June 15 will gather for dinner. There will also be time set aside to ask questions about the hearing. After the hearing Monday, we will again eat together.

The Hearing

The public informational hearing before the Pennsylvania Department of Education on the College's application for authority to amend its charter to permit coeducation in the residential undergraduate college and make other changes will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 in Harrisburg, PA.

The hearing is open to everyone, including the general public and the press. We encourage you to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. The hearing will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. Seating will be provided for everyone in attendance. There are restaurants within walking distance of the hearing location and local alumnae will have advice on where to get a quick bite. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Monday, June 16
PA Dept. of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
(map)
Honors Suite, 1st Floor
9:00 a.m.

Dining

Sunday, June 15

Wilson College Women have reserved a private dining room at Stocks on Second. Just ask to be seated with the Wilson College Women party. Stocks is within walking distance of the downtown hotels. Parking should be fairly easy on Sunday evening.

Following dinner, everyone is welcome to re-group at the Comfort Inn Riverfront. We will be gathering in the breakfast dining area off of the hotel lobby as well as the patio around the outdoor pool. Riverfront Park is right across the street. If you would like, please bring a dessert or snack to share.

Sunday, June 15
Stocks on Second
211 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(map)
6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 16

Breakfast is on your own. The Comfort Inn Riverfront, our primary hotel, offers a complimentary full hot breakfast. There is a Starbucks at 222 Market Street. You will likely pass right by it on the way to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

We expect an hour-long lunch break during the hearing. Strawberry Square (diagonally across the street from the hearing) has a number of food court options.

Immediately following the hearing, alumnae and supporters will relax and grab a bite to eat at El Sol, which is located right around the corner from the hearing. There is no set time for this event.

Monday, June 16
El Sol
18 South 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(map)
TBD

Hotels

Located along the shore of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg is a small city that doubles its population during the work week as thousands of state employees enter the city to work in and around the capitol. To avoid being stuck in traffic, we are listing rates at the three downtown hotels all of which are located within walking distance of the PDE hearing location.

We have negotiated a special Wilson College Women rate at our primary hotel, the Comfort Inn Riverfront. This is where the Limited Participants will be staying. Still within walking distance of the hearing, this location will give our group a bit more privacy than the other downtown hotels.

Primary Downtown Hotel

Comfort Inn Riverfront
525 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 233-1611
http://www.comfortinnriverfront.com/

Walking distance to hearing: About 1 mile, 15 minute walk.

Special Wilson College Women room rate: $85.99/night. Rate includes 2 double beds, 2 queen beds, or 1 king. Free parking. Free breakfast. In-room refrigerator and microwave. Free wi-fi. Fitness center and outdoor pool. No airport shuttle.

To get the special $85.99 rate you must reserve the room by calling the hotel directly at (717) 233-1611. Make sure that you ask for the Wilson College Women rate. Book soon, as this rate expires May 23.

Other Downtown Hotels

Harrisburg Hilton
One North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-6000

Walking distance to hearing: About .4 mile, 5 minute walk.

$22.00 for valet parking. $10.00 for self parking. Breakfast buffet $14.95. Airport shuttle $12.00 each way and must be reserved in advance.

Crowne Plaza Harrisburg
23 South Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 234-5021

Walking distance to hearing: About .4 mile, 5 minute walk.

$9.00 for valet parking. Breakfast buffet $13.00. No airport shuttle.

Not Downtown but in Harrisburg

Staybridge Suites Harrisburg
20 Wildwood Park Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 233-3304

All rooms are suites with 2 doubles or 1 queen or king. Breakfast included. Free onsite parking. Free shuttle to downtown.

Driving and Parking in Harrisburg

Keep in mind that the hearing is at the start of the work week. You and thousands of state employees will be parking in Harrisburg. Make sure you leave plenty of time to find parking. The Chestnut Street Parking Garage is the closest parking facility to the PDE at 333 Market St. It will cost you about $18.00 to park for 10 hours or less. On-street metered parking is available for short-term parking only.

Chestnut Street Parking Garage
322-226 Chestnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

In addition to the Chestnut Street Garage, the city also maintains several other downtown parking facilities as well as public parking on City Island where you can either walk across the bridge or take a shuttle to downtown. More information on this as well as other parking options can be found on the Harrisburg Parking Authority Website.

Carpooling

Need a lift? Do you want to help bring alumnae from your area to the hearing? Drivers and passengers can join our ride share network by visiting our unique site at http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/5hgu4d. Once you log onto the site, please follow the instructions below.

To Be A Driver

  • Click “Add” on either the blue Car or the blue “Add” at the top of the page
  • Fill out pop-up screen

Please note that only the items with an * are required. For your privacy, there is no need to put your street address.

Name: Jane Alumna
Email: JaneAlumna@gmail.com
Seats: enter 1-12
City: Location from which you are (New York, Philadelphia, Chambersburg, Boston, etc.)
Departing Time: Enter the time you plan to leave including Date/Time
Returning Time: Enter the time you plan to return including Date/Time
Notes: Please include anything of importance (e.g., willing to pick up travelers from PHL airport on my way)

You will receive an email from the website confirming your information and every time someone is added to your vehicle

To Join a Carpool

  • Click “Join” on either the green car, the green figure or the green “Join”
  • Fill out popup screen

Please note that only the items with an * are required. For your privacy, there is no need to put your street address.

Name: Jane Alumna
Email: JaneAlumna@gmail.com
What kind of ride do you need (i.e., round trip, departing trip, returning trip)?

Click on “JOIN CAR” and you will find your listing on the site. You will receive an email from the website confirming your information and if a change is made to your vehicle

To Join the Waitlist

  • Click “Join Waitlist” on the right side of the screen (peach color)
  • Fill out popup screen

Please note that only the items with an * are required. For your privacy, there is no need to put your street address.

Name: Jane Alumna
Email: JaneAlumna@gmail.com
City/State: Location from which you are traveling
Notes: Any special needs you might have (nonsmoker, have to bring a wheelchair, etc.)

Click on “JOIN WAITLIST” and you will find your listing on the site. You will receive an email from the website confirming your information and when you are matched with a ride

Drivers and riders are responsible for working out details of ride by email or phone.

If you have any questions or problems, please email: WilsonCarShare616@gmail.com

Airport

Harrisburg is served by the Harrisburg International Airport - MDT. Both the hearing and the Comfort Inn Riverfront are about a 15 minute drive from the airport.

Amtrak & Greyhound

Conveniently located across a side street from 333 Market Street and the PDE hearing, the Harrisburg Transportation Center is the station for both Amtrak train and Greyhound bus service.

Megabus

Megabus has routes from around the region that stop at the Harrisburg Mall parking lot. Let us know when your bus arrives and we'll make sure you get downtown.

Map of downtown Harrisburg, PA