Urbana 03: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Urbana?

Urbana is InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s Student Mission Convention. Since 1946, Urbana has challenged over 200,000 college students (and recent graduates) to seek their place in God’s mission. To learn more about Urbana 03, read about our theme.

Who Can Come?

1. Who is Urbana designed for?
   Urbana 03 is intended for college and university students studying in North America. Urbana is a mission convention for North American college/university students to learn about world missions and find ways to be involved in God's mission. We welcome international students currently studying in North America, and students and staff involved in national student fellowships of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). Registration on the web is limited to delegates from the United States and Canada. Those outside the US and Canada should check here for more registration information.

   Urbana 03 is designed for: (click links for definitions)

   • College or university students
   • College or university faculty
   • Pastors and church leaders
   • International students studying in North America
   • Recent college graduates
   • Youth or college workers
   • InterVarsity alumni
   • Missionaries, missionary candidates, and missionary support staff
   • Those interested in missions 



2. What about high school seniors at Urbana 03?
   Urbana’s program content is designed for university students, therefore we discourage high school students from attending. However it may be appropriate for seniors to attend in some cases, if they meet the following criteria:
   • They are mature and seriously considering missions
   • They attend Urbana with a church group or team
   • They receive a recommendation from a youth leader or InterVarsity staff member.

   To register, high school seniors need to download and complete the paper registration form. Also enclose a brief letter of recommendation from a youth worker, pastor, or InterVarsity staff member.

3. I am a student living in a country outside of North America, can I attend Urbana?
   Students outside the United States or Canada desiring to attend should:
   • Download, print, and complete the paper registration form.
   • Obtain an endorsement letter from the General Secretary of your country's IFES related movement. (Visit the www.ifesworld.org website for contact information for your country's General Secretary.)
   • Enclose full payment for the convention as a bank draft/cashier's check, in US Dollars only.
   • Mail your paper registration by November 1, 2003, and allow
     4-6 weeks for written confirmation.
     
4. Can I bring my children?
   No, children are not permitted at the convention; accommodations are not available for children, including nursing infants. We regret the inability to make exceptions.

When Does Urbana 03 start and end?

The convention begins on Saturday, December 27, 2003 with check-in between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. The convention ends after the last session at 12:30 a.m., January 1, 2004 (that is, past midnight on Dec. 31).

Where is the convention?

Urbana 03 is at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (140 mi. / 224 km south of Chicago)

How much does the convention cost?

The Standard Registration Package includes:

• Housing and all meals
• Entrance to all general sessions, seminars, and mission exhibits
• Local bus service on campus
• Convention handbook
• Convention Bible and Bible studies
• Minor accident and illness insurance

A minimum $100 deposit (USD funds only) is required.

Are Scholarships Available?

Scholarships for the convention are available through InterVarsity staff. Students involved in an InterVarsity chapter on their campus should contact their staff worker or area director. Other students should check here for InterVarsity staff near them.

No scholarships cover the entire convention fee, and the number of scholarships are limited. We have compiled some ideas for other ways to pay the convention fee.

Should I go to Urbana?

We’ve compiled some resources to help you decide whether or not you should come to Urbana. Check this page for guidelines on praying about Urbana and responses to some common difficulties.

Registration

1. How do I register?
   Register now at www.urbana.org/go/register
   Register early! Urbana fills quickly!
   Online registration is preferred. It saves you time, and your registration is secured sooner. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

   If you are unable to register on the web:

   • You may print and mail the paper registration form. If you cannot access the paper registration form, contact an InterVarsity campus staff worker for a registration form or contact us directly:
     
     

     In the US: Urbana 03 Registrar InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA P.O. Box 7895 Madison, WI 53707-7895 USA urbana03@ivcf.org 608.274.7995

     In Canada: Urbana 03 Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship 64 Prince Andrew Place Toronto, ON M3C 2H4 CANADA urbana.info@ivcf.ca 800.668.9766

     
     
   • Payment in full is preferred; a minimum $100 deposit (no cash) must accompany your registration. The remaining balance is due, by cash or check only, upon arrival at the convention. No credit cards will be accepted for registration payments during the convention. All payments must be in US dollars.
   • Send your paper registration with the completed money order or check payable to “InterVarsity Christian Fellowship” to:
     Urbana 03 Registrar
     P.O. Box 7895
     Madison, WI 53707-7895

2. Is there a partial registration so I could come for just part of Urbana?
   There are no partial registrations. Each day of the convention builds on the previous day, and we want delegates to get a complete experience.
3. Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
   No. If you are unable to come, you need to cancel your registration to make room for others to attend.
4. How do I cancel my registration?
   Send an email to cancellations@ivcf.org or send a letter to Urbana 03 Registrar, P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI USA 53707-7895 with your name and registration number. Notices sent by Monday, December 1, 2003 will be refunded the amount paid less the cancellation fee of $50. After December 1, 2003 and before December 26, 2003 only amounts paid above the $100 registration fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after December 26, 2003. Registration substitutions or transfers are not permitted.
5. Can I pay my balance now or do I wait until I arrive at Urbana?
   Payment in full is preferred; a minimum $100 deposit (no cash) must accompany your registration. The remaining balance is due, by cash or check only, upon arrival at the convention. No credit cards will be accepted for registration payments during the convention. All payments must be in US dollars. If you initially paid your $100 deposit and would like to pay your remaining balance before your arrival at the convention, you may mail us a check, along with your name and convention registration info.
6. Can we attend as a group?
   If you have a group of people attending Urbana 03 together, here are some helpful hints:
   
   • Each individual needs to complete a separate registration form.
   • Housing is assigned upon arrival. No reservations or pre-assignments are available.
   • If you wish to room with a specific person or in proximity to members in your group, you must come through check-in at Urbana together. Housing together is not guaranteed.
   • Housing is gender specific.
   • We are unable to block or reserve spaces.
     
7. Do you accept group checks?
   We prefer individual checks, but if you are attending with a church or other group, we will accept a group check. Include specific instructions on how to distribute the money.

How do I get to Urbana 03?

Students should make their own travel arrangements. Check our travel page for more information.

Housing & Meals

1. Where will I be eating?
   Meals will be provided at University of Illinois dining facilities. Delegates will eat in dining halls that correspond to their residences.
2. What will I be eating?
   All meals are served buffet-style, with a variety of choices for every dietary need. Vegetarian options are available.
3. How do I sign up to room with someone I know?
   It is not possible to sign up in advance to room with a specific person. Housing is assigned to delegates upon their convention registration on Dec. 27. If you wish to room with a specific person and/or in proximity to members in your group, you must check in at Urbana together. Housing together is not guaranteed.
4. Is there married housing?
   Married couples may request to be housed together at the convention.
   
   • Housing together is not guaranteed.
   • Each spouse must complete an individual registration.
   • Registering both spouses at the same time is recommended. On both registrations, indicate that you want to be housed together.
   • Both spouses must come through the registration line together on Dec. 27.
5. What kind of special arrangements are there for people with disabilities and their aides?
   People with disabilities are welcome at Urbana 03. You will be responsible for your own personal attendant (including registration and travel costs), who will need to complete a separate registration form. Wheelchair-accessible accommodations are available for those with physical limitations. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if special accommodations are needed. When you arrive at Urbana on Dec. 27th, please check in together. Bus transportation from area airports to the convention and local buses will both be handicapped-accessible. For hearing-impaired delegates, a translation of the general sessions will be available in American Sign Language.
   
6. What if I already have private local housing for the convention?
   You may qualify for the Optional Package only if you already have pre-arranged housing at a private home. Urbana-Champaign dorms, hotels and motels will not be available to individuals during the convention. You will need to provide your own meals; you will not be admitted to convention dining locations. You will save $85 (USD funds) compared to our standard package, but the value of on-site housing & meals is considerably greater.
   
   Optional Housing Package (private local housing)
   • Entrance to all general sessions, seminars, and mission exhibits
   • Local bus service on campus
   • Convention handbook
   • Convention Bible and Bible studies
   • Minor accident and illness insurance
   • NO Housing or Meals are provided
   • Registration Costs:

On-Campus Transportation
Many places on campus are within easy walking distance of the assembly hall. For dorms and venues that are further away, free handicapped-accessible bus service will be available during the convention.

What to Bring & Weather Information

1. What is the average temperature in Urbana-Champaign in December, and what clothing should I pack?
   Generally, December temperatures in Champaign-Urbana are below freezing. You should pack winter clothing (including sweaters, sweatshirts, socks, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves). A well-insulated winter coat is advisable. During Urbana 03, we may experience periods of snow, ice, rain, or sleet. Please be prepared for these conditions by bringing extra socks, water-repellent shoes, and winter clothing. You will spend some time outside walking from your room to various venues around campus, please keep this in mind when packing for Urbana 03.
2. Can I bring snacks?
   You may want to bring some snack food for your dorm room, when the dining facilities are not open.
3. What else should I bring?
   Don’t forget to pack any toiletries or personal items you might need. Be sure to pack a towel and soap, as these items will not be provided at your housing site. We will provide a convention Bible as part of your registration, although you might want to bring a journal and Bible study materials.
   
   At registration, students will need a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Also remember to bring the rest of your convention fee (cash or check), if you haven’t already paid in full, and your scholarship memo if you have one.

Program schedule and events

1. Will translations be available?
   Translations will be available for the general sessions in French, Spanish, and American Sign Language.
2. Who will be speaking?
   Read bios of all our platform speakers on the speakers page.
3. What's the schedule like?
   View the program for the convention.
4. What else will be going on at the convention?
   Browse the website for more information on convention activities such as exhibits, small groups, or prayer.

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