TraveLER Houston

LER students will be traveling to Houston January 12-15 to visit a variety of employers and learn what life is like in H-Town.

Interested students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Houston and the trip lodging, and the School will cover hotel (nights of Jan 12-14) and transportation to scheduled events. Some meals will be included at the hotel (breakfast), employers (lunch) or some snacks at alumni happy hour. Other meals and beverages as well as transportation to off-schedule activities are the responsibility of the student traveler.

First priority is given to students who attended the original trip meeting, but all currently-registered LER students are welcome to contact us to join the trip if space is available.

Hotel

Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston Pasadena, 5150 East Sam Houston Pkwy S, Pasadena, TX 77505 (This is still tentative while paperwork is being completed.)

This property does not have an airport shuttle, so you will need to schedule transportation from the airport. You will not be reimbursed for this transportation. The hotel is closer to Houston Hobby (HOU) airport, but you are welcome to fly either there or to Houston Intercontinental (IAH) which is farther north.

We suggest checking in on the night of the 12th and checking out the morning of the 15th. You are welcome to stay longer, but must pay for the additional nights yourself; you are able to secure our room rate for those evenings.

Each room will have two or three students per room. They are suites, with two queen beds and a sofa sleeper. We have done our best to accommodate roommate requests; your room information is available through Nell. The hotel will have your name/information for your check-in.

Your name will be placed on a rooming list that will be paid by the School once you have shared your travel information with Nell. You must leave a credit card on file for incidentals. We will not pay for anything besides the room nights.

The hotel has breakfast covered by the cost of the room. Extra food purchased at those events are your responsibility, and you should plan time to finish your meal into your schedule if you are eating before our transportation departs.

Students who commit to the trip and then back out after reservations are made will be assessed a $100 penalty, since the School will still be paying for their accommodations.

Attire

We will be in manufacturing environments, and you won’t be able to join if you are not properly attired for safety. You should plan on wearing long pants and flat, closed-toe shoes that are not slippery, so that you can go from manufacturing sites to corporate environments. We would prefer casual slacks or nice jeans (dark color/no rips); please don’t wear sweatpants. Appropriate Illinois/School attire on top is always OK.

Be aware that any jewelry that you are wearing will need to come off and be left in a bag or in your pocket, specifically at the Pepsi Beverages facility, but maybe also at other locations.

Security

There will be a security list provided to employers with your name and identifying information. The behind the scenes tour with Oceaneering Space Systems/NASA is restricted to US citizens only. There is a separate tour for the international attendees. Everyone must have a government-issued photo ID.

ExxonMobil is sending a pre-registration email. Have that available when you arrive on-site, with your photo ID.

Because of a variety of security issues, you may ONLY use your phone/camera and take photographs when you have specific permission from our tour guides. We will ask and notify you. Otherwise, please do NOT take photos inside facilities.

Transportation

As mentioned above, the hotel does not have an airport shuttle. We will provide transportation to and from sites listed on our visit agenda. If you don’t make the departure times as given by the trip leaders, or if you arrive late to the city, you are responsible for the cost of transportation to meet the group. The same applies if you decide to go out in the evening or stay late at a location, such as the alumni happy hour.

Visit Agenda (Draft format, details will change as companies commit to timing)

You should plan on arriving at the hotel at some point on January 12th. You are welcome to depart any time on January 15th. If you come late or leave early, you will be responsible for your transportation to/from your flight or the location where we are touring.