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- Get a campus map
- Fly here: Bradley International (Windsor Locks, CT, 1 hour from Amherst; Logan Airport, Boston, 2 hours from Amherst).
- To get here from Bradley: Peter Pan Bus (1-800-343-9999) or Valley Transporter (1-800-872-8752). Peter Pan has a regular schedule and stops in Amherst Center and on the UMass campus. Valley Transporter currently costs $45 each way; you should reserve their service well in advance.
- To get here from Logan: Take an airport bus to South Station in Boston, and then a Peter Pan Bus (1-800-343-9999) to Amherst.
- You can stay on campus, at the Campus Center Hotel (1-877-822-2110; @email), or you can stay at local hotels or bed and breakfasts (Google "Amherst MA hotels" for a long list).
- Getting to campus: There is a free local PVTA bus service to the campus (buses stop at Haigis Mall and other locations; see the campus map).
- If you are driving, visit our parking options page.
Life in the Pioneer Valley
One of the benefits of attending college or graduate school at UMass is living in the Amherst area. Amherst is a small town in a beautiful rural region of western Massachusetts. The area abounds with cultural, entertainment, and sports opportunities. We are part of the 5-College Consortium (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), and we collectively import a large amount of music, theater, dance, and other cultural activities. The area also is well known for the arts, crafts, and music with nationally famous artists and performers living in the region.
We are a two-hour drive from Boston, a three-hour drive from New York City, and a one-hour drive to the Berkshires and Tanglewood (center of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer performances) and major theater, dance, and other programs. The region is a lovely area of hills, forests, and rivers which afford a rich variety of outdoor activities. Popular are bicycling, hiking, cross-country and Alpine skiing, flatwater and whitewater canoeing, and ocean sports (the coast is about a two-hour drive). The Department is adjacent to a recreation center, swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, and other facilities, which are available for use by graduate students. The University competes mostly in Division I athletics and fields a distinguished marching band.
Parking Options
The University of Massachusetts has various options for parking (garage, meters, parking lot day passes, etc); these can be reviewed on the university's Where to Park page.
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences has slots available for clients, subjects, visitors, and guests. These slots are identified as Psychology (Lot 64, H1-H4), Developmental (Lot 64, D1-D4), and Clinical (on Tobin Road access, T1-T9). You might also be able to acquire a permit to use one of these psychology department's special parking slots (discuss this with your faculty or research supervisor).
All of our designated parking spots do require a permit 24/7. The patrols have ticketed cars w/o permits in those slots or permits that omit the date, expiration time, and license plate number.
Psychological and Brain Sciences Parking Scheduling Protocol (for Faculty, RA, TA, or Research Supervisor):
- Please contact via email the Building Coordinator, @email (or Bookkeeping Tobin 440). If you are making an appointment with Psychological Services Clinic you must contact Sarah Martin, skmartin@umass.edu The schedule and/or Google calendar will be reviewed and a permit will be issued.
- Permits are easily picked up from the Building Coordinator's office, Tobin 401 (or Bookkeeping Tobin 440) or from the Psychological Services Center’s reception area (PSC Tobin 123).
- All permits must be filled out with the following information to be used. Please make sure that each permit indicates the:
a) Start Date/Time
b) Expiration Time
c) Study or PI’s Name
d) LICENSE PLATE NUMBER *
* Without the above information the permit is considered void and the campus police might issue a ticket. - Tell the individual(s) to place the permit clearly visible on the dashboard.
a) If your designated slots has been filled, please contact Jonathan (@email 413-545-2385) to arrange overflow usage.
b) If your subject has mistakenly gotten a parking ticket during the time the permit was issued, we can work with Parking Service to get it waived (as long as you are holding a permit or there was no other infraction).
c) If you have any questions or problems, contact Jonathan Tominar-Lipari 413-545-2385. - All Psychology and Developmental parking slots are usually on the first come and first served basis. The Aging Parking spot (H1) should be used only upon receiving an exemption and having it marked on the parking permit.