Quick Links:

Preregistration form (Please complete as soon as possible)

• Post-Contest: Scoreboard, Problems, Judge Data, &c
• Invitation
• Eligibility
• Registration
• Driving Directions
• Campus Map and Intra-Campus Walking Directions
• Area Hotels and Motels
• Tentative Schedule
• Wireless Connectivity
• Contact Information for Site Director

• Problems (pdf) / (doc)
• Judge data (zip)
• Hall of Champions
• Raw Scorecard (html)

You are invited to participate in the 2008 Carnegie Mellon Spring Programming Contest and an afternoon and evening of exciting events, including a Google Games puzzle contest, at Google's Pittsburgh facility. Each of the events require advanced registration. Food, prizes, and T-shirts will be provided.

During the afternoon and evening of Friday, March 28th, Google invites you for an afternoon and evening of exciting events at their Pittsburgh office, which is located adjacent to and accessible from the Carnegie Mellon campus. Google will offer tours of their Pittsburgh facility, an exciting tech talk, and the main event, the Google Games team puzzle contest. There will, of course, be snacks, dinner, dessert -- and prizes. For those interested, Googlers, including engineers, recruiters/campus reps, and others will be available to discuss opportunities. Coaches may be interested in information about campus programs.

On Saturday, March 29th, you are invited to the 5th annual Carnegie Mellon Spring Programming Contest (CMSPC). This year Google has generously support the contest and is covering the registration fee. Space available, teams are able to participate free of charge. Google will be providing T-shirts and prizes. Certificates will also be awarded in more than one category (Overall, first problem, Division-I [Small program], etc.)

Although unaffiliated with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the CMSPC is a forum for competition similar to the ACM Intercollegiate Programming Competition (ICPC). The competition environment and competition rules are based on those used within the ICPC. Participants in the CMSPC are encouraged to visit the ICPC's home page to learn more about the ACM ICPC and to review the rules and practice materials available there. Past CMSPC programming contest information, including many old problem sets and some test data, are available on the Web.

Although Google is supporting the contest, and putting on some really great events on Friday afternoon and evening, and have been very supportive of the CMSPC, they have asked to keep a very small footprint during the actual contest. The Saturday events will run exactly as they have in the past and the Friday events are completely optional. For those who are unable to attend on Friday, Googlers will be available during breakfast and possibly lunch on Saturday. Regardless, we think Google has put together a great program for you -- and hope you'll be able to make it.

Eligibility

Eligible are those who where eligible to participate in a 2007 ICPC regional contest or who will be eligible to participate in a 2008 ICPC regional contest, and who are registered as a member of a 3 person team by a coach appointed by their school. Members of the Carnegie Mellon community are not eligible to compete.

We are expecting a large and exciting contest this year. We are asking teams to register early this year in order that we can effectively manage space. Early registration will also ensure that space is available for your team. Pretty-please pre-register early -- we'd really like to know how many people are coming so we can make arrangements for space, food, etc -- it is looking like a big year.

By February 15th, coaches should pre-register their team(s) using the preregistration form. This form is basically used for space and food planning. It asks how many teams you'll be bringing, how many coaches you'll be bringing, and if you'll be attending Friday's events at Google. It does not require team names or contestant names. If possible, we'd like you to preregister this week.

Space available, we will allow late reservations -- so if you do miss the deadline, please do contact us. We'll do our very, very best to get you in. Similarly, if anything changes, please do drop us an email. We're just trying to ensure that we've got the right amount of space, food, and people to take good care of everyone. We really appreciate your help.

Coaches are asked to complete final registration by Friday, March 21. This step registers teams and team names, which will be verified at the on-site check-in. To complete final registration, please send email to gkesden@cs.cmu.edu with the subject "REGISTRATION". This email should contain the following:

• School name
• Teams names and names of team members, optionally email addresses
• Coach name(s) and email address(es)
• Estimated time of arrival
• Emergency contact information, if coach will not be local during the entire event (coach cell phone, campus contact, etc)

Should you have any questions, or if any of your pre/registration information should change, or if there's anything else we can do -- please do let us know. Feel free to call Greg Kesden at 412-268-1590 or to email him at gkesden@cs.cmu.edu. We'll do everything we can to make this a wonderful event for you.

If you need a "receipt of participation", for example to get reinbursed for your rental car or hotel, they will be available at registration.

For driving directions, you might want to try Google Maps:

• Wean Hall
• Google's Offices

Please note: The Oakland exit from I-376 -- eastbound and westbound -- is closed. If approaching from the east, please exit one exit early at Squirrel Hill. If approaching from the west, please pass the closed Oakland exit and ignore the detour signs. Instead exit at the next exit, Squirrel Hill. In either case, make a "sloppy left" off the exit ramp at the intersection by the BP and Poli's. This will put you on Murray Avenue heading north. Take it until you hit Forbes Aveneue. This is a very major intersection with a Rite Aid, Coldstone, and Library. Make a left onto Forbes. Carnegie Mellon is about 2 miles down the road. Start paying attention when you pass Margaret Morrison, which will have a traffic light. At the next light, Carnegie Mellon's garage is on the left and Beeler St. is on the right.

You'll likely want to park in the East Campus Garage and walk the rest of the way. The garage is free after 5:00PM on Fridays and all weekend.

From the garage, if you proceed along Forbes, Carnegie Mellon's campus is on your left. You'll pass a large grass field on your left, then some buildings. You'll pass a large intersection with Morewood Ave. on the right. You'll pass a building with a circular driveway in front and two large flags. Then you'll see a driveway to your left -- head in there. Google's offices are in the CIC on the right. If you keep walking, you'll hit Newell-Simon Hall. If you enter Newell-Simon Hall and go up one flight of stairs and continue walking, you'll cross a glass bridge into Wean Hall. Take the elevator or stairs up one flight and you'll be on the 5th floor -- the contest signup will be prominent in the lobby.

If, while walking along Forbes, you find yourself on a small overpass over train tacks, you've just passed the driveway. If you find yourself at a traffic light and an intersection with Craig St., you've gone event you've gone a little bit more than "too far".

When calling about hotel rates, please feel free to ask for either the "Carengie Mellon individual payer rate" and/or the "Google corporate rate". With luck, this should get you a nice discount. Be sure to check on the cost of parking -- the hotels have very different, and sometimes very high, rates.

In recent years, the Wyndam and the Marriot Courtyard have been vary popular choices among the teams, and offer Carnegie Mellon and Google rates. The Holiday Inn Select is also a great choice and offers a CMU rate (and maybe a Google rate, too). I've been surprised that no one has tried the Forbes Avenue Suites, given its location, age, and pricetag.

I strongly suggest staying away formt he hotels near the Boulevard of the Allies. But, some folks think I am paranoid and it has been many, many, many years since I've heard of any problems.

• Wyndham Garden Hotel
  3554 Forbes Ave.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 683-2040 or 877-999-3223
  

  This is a full service high-rise hotel, offering a gym, shuttle service, in-room high-speed ethernet service, and an in-hotel restaurant. It is a frequent choice for University guests such as visiting faculty, &c. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. The hotel offers a shuttle service.
  
  

• Holiday Inn Select
  100 Lytton Ave
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 682-6200 or 800-864-8287
  

  Much like the Wyndam, this is also a first-rate high-rise hotel that is often used by the University for faculty visitors and other guests. It used to be our most-frequent choice for guests, but some feel that the service at the Wyndam is a bit better, causing it to be slightly prefered recently.

  It is in a quieter with fewer shops and restaurants than the Wyndam and is off a side street of Forbes. Regardless, this is still an excellent hotel near campus.

  It offers a pool, health club, in-room high-speed Internet access (DSL), shuttle service, &c. One advantage is that it is very near one Pittsburgh attractrion -- the Cathedral of Learning on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.
  
  

• Marriott Courtyard
  5306 Liberty Ave
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 683-3113 or 800-321-2211
  

  This is a very recent high-rise hotel located in a slightly different part of town from the others -- but it isn't far away. It has a Starbucks and a Cafe on the first floor as well as high-speed internet access.

  Recent contest attendees have offered particualarly outstanding reports of this hotel.
  
  

• Marriott Residence Inn
  3896 Bigelow Boulevard
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 621-2200 or 800-321-2211
  

  This is located in a slightly different part of town than many of the others, but isn't really too far away. They offer a free complimentary breakfast, data ports, and high-speed internet access. They have an indoor pool and a shuttle service. As with the other shuttles -- there are no guarantees of timeliness. We're heard good reports from teams during recent contests.
  
  

• Shadyside Inn
  Several Properties in the area
  Pittsburgh, PA
  800-767-8483
  

  These suites are located in several different properties in the area and are frequented by University guests. They have consistently received absolutely excellent feedback from members of our community. Unfortuantely, there are fewer rooms than at the high-rise hotels, and they are distributed among several locations. Many rooms have high-speed internet access.
  
  

• Forbes Avenue Suites
  3401 Forbes Ave.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 325-3900 or 877-335-3900
  

  This is a fairly recent hotel, converted from a much older apartment building. They offer multi bedroom suites. We've never had any teasm stay here. But, the rooms do seem nice and it is located right across the street from the Wyndam. They do not offer a shuttle service.
  
  

• Hampton Inn
  3315 Hamlet Street
  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  (412) 681-1000 or 800-245-4444
  

  This hotel/motel is used by many university guests, especially visiting students, and families visiting for major events. They offer a free continental breakfast and shuttle service. As with the others, there is no guarantee that the shuttle service will be timely on competition day.
  
  

Tentative Schedule

Friday, March 28th: Tentative Google Schedule
2:00-3:00	Reception, Snacks/Refreshments, and Google Tours (Teams can early site register for Saturday Contest)	NSH/Perlis Atrium, then Google-Pittsburgh
3:30-5:00	Tech Talk and Discussion	WeH 7500
5:00-6:00	Dinner	WeH 7500
6:00-8:00	Google Games Team Puzzle Contest with Prizes	WeH 7500
8:00-8:30	Dessert and Refreshments	WeH 7500

Saturday, March 29th
9:00-11:00	Coaches: Light Breakfast, Google Meets w/those interested	WeH 5403
	Contestants: Light Breakfast, Site Registration	WeH 7500
10:00-11:00	All: Familiarization/Practice/Testing	Wean Hall, Rooms 5409 and 5419-ABCD
11:00-11:30	Contestants: Restrooms, Refreshments, &c	WeH 5409 and 5419-ABCD
	Non-Contestants: Depart contest area	WeH 7500, WeH 5403
	Late arrivals: Site Registration	WeH 5403
11:30-12:00	Contestants: Standby at workstations -- do not touch computers	Wean Hall, Rooms 5409 and 5419-ABCD (Stage in hallway)
	Coaches: R&R	Wean Hall, Rooms 5403 and 7500
12:00-17:00	Contestants: Game is on!	Wean Hall, Rooms 5409 and 5419-ABCD
	Coaches: Continued R&R	Wean Hall, Rooms 5403 and 7500
13:00-13:30	All: Lunch and beverages delivered	WeH 7500, WeH 5403, 5409 and 5419-ABCD
17:30-18:30	All: Coaches and Contestants: Dinner and Results	WeH 7500
18:30-20:00	All: Review of Problems and Solutions	WeH 7500

If you have any questions, you are invited to contact the site director, Gregory Kesden. He can be reached via email at gkesden@cs.cmu.edu or by phone at 412-268-1590.

In the event of a timely concern, please don't hesitate to call -- his office phone number rolls to his cellphone.

If all else fails, you can try his secretary, Angie Brookins, at 412-268-5483, or Catherine Fichtner in the Undergraduate Program Office at 412-268-3040.

In the event of a real emergency on campus, please call the University security/police/ems service at 412-268-2323, or the municpal emergency services line at 911.