Coming to Fermilab

In the first part of this page we have collected relevant information for newcomers. You can find an introduction to life at and around Fermilab, covering items like visa and Social Security Number, housing and health insurance, money, banking and taxes, cars and driver's license (Proposed schedule, Useful Links). In the second part of this page you can find also some additional (mostly) DØ-specific information, like numbers and addresses, office space and printer queues.

Section 1 - Guide to Life

Proposed schedule

Before you arrive in the U.S

Visa - Get the necessary paperwork from Fermilab, if applicable, and obtain your visa at the U.S. consulate. You should start this process at least two months before joining Fermilab.
  

	Go to http://travel.state.gov/ to get informed about different visa types; download and fill in the forms required for the visa appropriate to you.
	Contact the Fermilab Visa Office (visaoffice@fnal.gov) to get the form DS-2019 (former IAP-66, mandatory for e.g. J-1 visa).
	You may need an invitation from Fermilab - please contact the spokesman (T. Wyatt, twyatt@fnal.gov or D. Denisov denisovd@fnal.gov) or the Assistant Director (R. Rubinstein, royr@fnal.gov).
	Additional information can be found at the User's Office page: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/visa.html.
	Please note: People on SEVIS MUST arrive within 30 days of their visa start. You MUST contact Fermilab's Visa Office BEFORE entering the US in case of delays.

Your first working day at Fermilab

Attend new-employee orientation at Fermilab (for employees only) and choose health plan OR check in at the Users' Office (for visitors).
 

	Any person must attend a 'New Employee ES&H Orientation' Course. This course can be enrolled at: http://www-esh.fnal.gov/pls/default/course_summary.full_descr?this_course_code=FN000034&this_instr_type_code=CR&this_fermi_id=. Please note: This course has to be taken only once BEFORE getting a Fermilab ID. Please schedule your arrival accordingly !   Read the summary and note on accessing the database in the DØ News.
	Orientation for J-1 holders (new employees or visitors) is provided by the Visa Office: Exchange_Visitor_Orientation.pdf (1 MB).
	Please consider the current status of access to Fermilab: Fermilab mainpage => visiting Fermilab => Hours and Directions and  Fermilab mainpage => for physicists => User's Office.
	The User's Office is located at Wilson Hall, 1W, the Visa Office is located at Wilson Hall, 15SE; see: Map of Fermilab (interactive).
	Information about health insurance can be found at the following webpage: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/insurance.html.
	Fill out the New Person Information form (pdf) and return it to Sonya Wright or Harvey Bruch (DAB6). You can also email the form (sonya@fnal.gov or bruch@fnal.gov).
	Read the D0 Hazard Awareness Handout and complete the quiz at the end (this is mandatory for all personnel at DØ). Put the quiz and the form on the last page into the designated mailbox at DAB3.  You can also take the online quiz available here. Select 'D0 Hazard Awareness', enter your Fermilab ID and click on the 'Submit' button. Then 'Request Test' and answer the questions.
	Please note, that DHCP registration is mandatory, if you want to use your Laptop within the network. Please have a look at DØ mainpage => DØ at work => Compting & Core Software => Computer Accounts => DHCP Registration  and inform yourself about the DHCP Registration Requirements. DØ users can use the simplified IP Address Request Form.

Your first week in the U.S.:

Look around for apartments and become familiar with the area.
 

	Again the User's Office collected information about living on- and off-site the Fermilab: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/housing.html.
	For on-site living contact the Housing office: http://lss.fnal.gov/housing/index.html.
	Please have a look at the webpage provided by the Graduate Student Association (GSA): http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/gsa/guide/rent.html.
	If you are looking for a roommate or a place you can post an email to the fnalgrad mailing list (how to subscribe).

Call Social Security Facility for Social Security Number (SSN).
 

	Please follow the advices collected by the User's Office: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/ssn.html.
	SSN office in Aurora (address and office hours): http://www.ssa.gov/chicago/illinois.htm#AuroraIL.
	Direct link to Application for a Social Security Card: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.

After you obtained your Social Security Number:

Open a bank account. 
 

Long term visitors should open a checking account with a local bank. One option is the Argonne Credit Union which has an office at Wilson Hall. But there are also many other banks in the area. To open a checking account you usually need identification (passport or drivers license) and a Social Security Number (SSN). The Argonne Credit Union requires an SSN but there are other banks which don't, for example the TCF Bank or Chase. The TCF Bank requires a passport, proof of residency (e.g. a letter addressed to you, a lease, a telephone bill), and a Fermilab ID.

Further information on Money and Banking: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/money.html.

Obtain an Illinois Rules of the Road book in the Users' Office and start preparing for the driver's license test in order to get the Illinois Driver's License.
 

	Most information about getting an Illinois Driver's License can be found at the User's Office page: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/drivers.html.
	Rules of the Road: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/rrtoc.html.
	You have to go to a drivers license facility. You don't need an appointment, just go there. The fee to take the test is 20 $. You can repeat the test several times if you fail. In addition you need your passport and a proof of residency (e.g. an utility bill, a letter from a bank or other official institution addressed to you, not older than 60 days; if not available, send a letter to yourself and keep the envelope to prove that the mailman was able to deliver this letter to you, vehicle title containing your address, rent receipt or lease agreement, check book with address on checks).

Inform yourself about cars and car insurance.
 

Practical tips on buying a car, registration and insurance are located at: http://www.fnal.gov/pup/forphysicists/users/newcomers/car.html.

First month:

Rent an apartment and sign up for utilities; buy a car.
 

Before April 15th:

File tax return.
 

U.S. tax regulations require to file a federal income tax return - but there are lots of exemptions and regulations. Helpful information can be found at the following webpages: Tax Information for International Scholars (webpage of the University of Pennsylvania), Internal Revenue Service, http://www.fnal.gov/pub/forphysicists/users/newcomers/taxes.html.

Useful Links  Some links are taken from Stefan's page. Flights and Airports: www.flights.com, www.cheaptickets.com, Netscape Travel, American Trans Air (ATA, within the US), Southwest Airline (within the US), O'Hare Airport (Chicago), Midway Airport (Chicago).   Trains, Busses and Limos: AMTRAK (train), METRA (train from Aurora - Naperville - Chicago) - schedule (pdf), GREYHOUND (bus), West Suburban Travelers Limousine, Chicago Limo Links.    Cars and car insurance: Car rental at the airport, Pilots Leasing (for people staying at Fermilab), www.edmunds.com (price quote for different models), CARFAX (vehicle history, pay 25 $ once for unlimited vehicle history reports), GF Mann Agency (insurance agency), Insure One (insurance).   Living off-site: Hotels/Motels near Fermilab, Oakwood Corporate Housing, Twelve Oakes Suites.   Restaurants: Wilson Hall Cafe, Chez Leon (Fermilab's own restaurant), Restaurant List.   Towns and maps: Aurora, Batavia, City of Chicago,  Geneva, Naperville, St. Charles, Warrenville, Inside Illinois (Route Map), MapsOnUs (Maps, Driving Directions).   Telephone: Prepaid Phone Cards, 10-10 numbers (telephoning without phone card), Telephone Directory (find a person or a business, search by phone).   Entertainment and Culture: Chicago City Pass (pass for other cities), Fermilab Cultural Events,  Chicago Guide,  Local Movie Theatres,  The Green Mill (historic jazz bar in Chicago, unchanged since Al Capone's visits..),  Music Clubs,  The Lyric Opera,  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Field Museum of Natural History (visit Sue, the largest T-Rex found),  Museum of Science and Industry,  Adler Planetarium,  Shedd Aquarium (Beluga whales..),  Art Institute of Chicago,  Museum of Contemporary Art,  Sears Tower,  Hancock Observatory,  More museums,  Morton Arboretum ('tree museum' and park close to Fermilab..),  Brookfield Zoo,  Lincoln Park Zoo,  Chicago Shakespeare Theatre,  Navy Pier,  Shoreline Sightseeing,  Chicago Chinatown,  Naper Settlement Museum,  Garfield Park Conservatory.   Sports: Cubs (Baseball), White Sox (Baseball), Bears (Football), Bulls (Basketball), Blackhawks (Ice Hockey), Chicago Fire (Soccer).   Section 2 - DØ specific information Numbers and Addresses A Fermilab wide Telephone Directory can be found at: Fermilab mainpage => contacting Fermilab => Phone Directory and Yellow Pages. At Fermilab phone (and fax) numbers are: Nation Code (+1) - Area Code (630) - prefix (840) - four digit extension (ext) Please notice: In the following tables only extensions are given. DØ Fax Machines DAB6 : 8481 DAB5 : 6650 Trailer 177 : 8886 Users Office 3111 Housing Office 3776 ID Office (FNAL IDs and gate passes) 4506 Fermilab Taxi (on-site travels only) 4225   Paging On-site Laboratory Pagers Dial 72, then after the tone dial the four digit page number. After the second tone, leave a message (repeat it twice) and hang up. Long Distance Pagers Dial the phone number listed. After 3 beeps, dial the number you want the person to call, press '#', wait for confirming beeps and busy tone. You may hang up now. Remember to dial '9' for calls outside Fermilab, e. g. 9-266-1111 ! DØ Paging You can access the DØ Paging systems by dialing ext 4674 from any extension at the lab. Just dial the number, wait for the beep and speak very loudly into the phone. This intercom system can be heard anywhere at DØ.   Addresses Mailing Address Fermilab P.O. Box 500 Batavia, IL 60510-0500 Include your mail station: MS 352 - for trailers MS 357 - for DØ Assembly Buildung (DAB) Shipping Address Fermilab Receiving Department Wilson Road Batavia, IL 60510-0500 Include your mail station Overnight Shipments All overnight shipments are delivered to the third floor high-bay receiving racks. If you are missing a package contact the Receiving Department (ext 3575).   Office Space You can find maps of the DØ office space at: DØ mainpage => DØ at work => Collaboration => Office Maps. DØ Trailer City Refrigerators and microwaves are located in all trailers. Washrooms are located in all trailers except Trailer 158. Trailer 151 (West Trailer) DØ Notes after number 500 Copier Trailer 158 ('Outback', behind DØ Assembly Building)   Trailer 173 (North Trailer) Showers Trailer 177 (East Trailer) Supply cabinets Forms drawer Mailboxes   DØ Assembly Building (= DAB) DAB1 (1st Floor) Emergency Shelter DØ Control Room Refrigerator and Microwave DAB2 (2nd Floor) Emergency Shelter DAB3 (3rd Floor) Washrooms Vending machines Outgoing mailbox Recycling center Receiving drop off & pick-up point DØ Notes numbers 1 - 500 Refrigerator and Microwave DAB4 (4th Floor) Lobby (main entrance) DAB5 (5th Floor) Engineering Notes Copier Supply cabinets Forms drawer Refrigerator and Microwave DAB6 (6th Floor) Copier Supply cabinet Forms drawer Refrigerator and Microwave   Conference Rooms All available DØ conference rooms with telephone numbers and IP addresses can be found at:  DØ mainpage => DØ at Work => General => Video Conferencing. Summary of Fermilab wide conference rooms: Fermilab mainpage => Fermilab at Work => Fermilab at Work Homepage => Directories/Maps => Conference Rooms. Some conference rooms are scheduled by the Directorate, see here. For further information (Calendar, schedule a meeting) on meeting rooms consider: DØ mainpage => DØ at Work => General => Meeting Rooms. Location of meeting rooms :   DØ Hurricane Deck DAB3 Far Side Trailer 151 Dog House Trailer 151 Salle des Heros Trailer 177 Kitchen DAB1 Wilson Hall Hornet's Nest WH8 Racetrack WH7 Black Hole WH2NW West Wing WH10NW   Printer Queues General instructions for printing at Fermilab can be found at: Fermilab mainpage => Fermilab at work => Fermilab Divisions and Sections => Computing Division => User Essentials => Printing. XXX_color Paper copies (color) XXX_color_trans Transparencies XXX_hp8150 Single sided copies XXX_hp8150_d Double sided copies   Trailer 151 d0tcw_color d0tcw_color_trans d0tcw_hp8150 d0tcw_hp8150_d Trailer 173 d0tcn_color d0tcn_color_trans d0tcn_hp8150 d0tcn_hp8150_d Trailer 177 d0tce_color d0tce_color_trans d0tce_hp8150 d0tce_hp8150_d Trailer 158 (Outback) outback_color outback_color_trans outback_hp8150 outback_hp8150_d DAB1 dab1_color dab1_color_trans dab1_hp8150 dab1_hp8150_d    DAB5 dab5_color dab5_color_trans dab5_hp8150 dab5_hp8150_d dab5x_plot DAB6 dab6_color dab6_color_trans dab6_hp8150 dab6_hp8150_d