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 Getting Started in Your New Home

Post Office:

 

Main Office:

800 Sycamore Street
429-3400

Closest to Campus:

801 N Wabash Avenue
423-6090

Auto License Branch:

708 N Sonntag
424-3102

Photos for driver's license may not include any head covering.

car graphic

Banks:

 

Old National Bank:

Red Bank Office 
5124 Pearl Drive
464-1224

Fifth Third Bank:

University Heights Office
5344 Pearl Dr
429-0640

Social Security Administration:

1708 N Spring Street
421-1303

Social Security card applications are available in the Office of 
International Programs and Services


MAILING A LETTERmailbox graphic

When writing a letter overseas, address your letter with the return address in the upper left corner. This should include your name, street address, room number, city, state, postal code, and country. Place the person's name to whom you are mailing the letter in the middle of the envelope, followed by the address, city, country, and any other postal codes needed for your country. Most overseas letters require a $.63 stamp for each 1/2 ounce. There is a stamp machine in the lower level of the University Center.


TELEPHONES

telephone graphicQ: Can I bring my own phone/answering machine?
If you are living in the residence halls or in the on-campus apartments, you may not bring your own phone or answering machine.  These units utilized digital phone lines and the entire campus is on one telephone network.  Phones are provided for you as part of your housing charges.  Phone mail is available through telephone services for $20 per apartment per semester.

Q: How do I get long distance telephone service or phone mail?
USI Telecommunications Services (812/465-1080) should be contacted to purchase a long distance plan.  Telecommunication Services can also provide a plan for phone mail.  USI has a telephone system that does not permit the use of standard telephone answering machines.

Q: What if I have problems with my phone?
USI Telecommunications Services (812/465-1080) can also address any problems that you might have concerning your phone.

Phone Information for Students Living Off-Campus

To have a phone installed in an off-campus apartment or house, you need to do the following:

  1. Purchase a telephone. You may buy telephones in a wide price range at discount stores (like Wal-Mart or K-Mart), hardware stores, or from the phone company. Compare before you buy! Your phone should plug into your wall in a phone outlet.

  2. Choose a long distance service if you plan to make calls outside of Evansville or overseas. Some companies are AT&T, MCI, Sprint, Long Distance Management, LCI International, etc. If you plan to make overseas calls, check to be sure that the company provides this service. To sign up for long distance, look in the telephone book yellow pages under "telephone companies" or ask for a referral from a friend. Phone cards are also an option with long distance companies. There are "Instant Foncards" available at gas stations and some discount stores that are independent cards. You do not have to have long distance service to use them. 

Overseas Calls may be dialed direct from many telephones. For information on availability of this service from your phone, dial "0" and ask for the operator. To dial international calls direct and get the lowest rate, dial in sequence:

          1.  The international access code - 011
          2.  The country code
          3.  The city code
          4.  The local telephone number

          Information (Directory Assistance)
          If you cannot find a number in the telephone book, you may call "Information". 

          *In Evansville: dial 1411
          *Within the 812 area code, but outside of Evansville: dial 1-812-555-1212
          *For numbers outside the 812 area code: dial 1-area code-555-1212


EAGLE ACCESS CARD

The USI Eagle Access Card is your identification card used for: 

  • Library privileges

  • Online bookstore

  • Meal plans

  • Laundry facilities

  • Vending and copy machines

  • FLEX account

  • Athletic events

  • Personal identification

  • Access to campus buildings

  • Recreation and Fitness Center

How to make a deposit to your account
You can deposit money (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) at the Eagle Access Card Office in the University Center and the Bursar's Office in the Orr Center. This will enable you to use your card for vending and copy machines on campus, and more services in future.

To activate a meal plan
Depending on which meal plan you chose, you deposit money at the following locations:

Red, White or Blue Eagle meal plans as well as Titanium, Platinum and Gold meal plans must be purchased in Sodexho Campus Dining Services, lower level, University Center, UC 019.


SHOPPING IN EVANSVILLE

mall graphic The following is a partial list of shopping centers and stores in Evansville which may help you get settled into your new home. All locations are accessible by (limited) bus service or are within a short walk or drive from campus.

Eastland Mall is a fully enclosed shopping center that houses numerous department stores, specialty stores, and restaurants. Most stores are open from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Eastland is located on Green River Road just north of the Lloyd Expressway. Surrounding the mall are various restaurants, discount stores and other specialty shops.

Washington Square Mall is located at Green River Road and Washington Avenue. It is smaller than Eastland, but contains several department stores and other shops as well as numerous restaurants.

The University Heights Shopping Center is closest to campus. The USI shuttle bus runs between the shopping center and campus during the week. Stores include two major grocery stores (Schnucks and Buehler's Buy-Low), Wal-Mart, several restaurants and banks, and various specialty stores. The Studio 16 Movie Theatre and several other restaurants are located nearby.


ETHNIC FOODS & COFFEE SHOPS

The following list is a sample of some of the international shops and restaurants in the Evansville area. A more complete list can be found in the Evansville telephone directory.

B-Won Oriental Foods and Gifts, 1016-E South Weinbach Avenue, is stocked with a variety of exotic foods ranging from dried seaweed and anchovies to real Turkish delights. It is just south of Washington Avenue on Weinbach Avenue. Telephone: 477-3544

Oriental and International Food Mart, located at 1401 E Indiana Street, is just past US Highway 41 and the Lloyd Expressway near the Pub Restaurant. It offers a good variety of foods imported from Asia and other regions. Telephone: 423-3405food graphic

Schnucks Market, 4500 W Lloyd Expressway, is a large grocery store that stocks some imported items. Like many other grocery stores in town, it offers a wide range of services, including a bakery, butcher shop, pharmacy, and video store.  Telephone: 422-6325

A La Carte Food and Wine Shop at 777 S Green River Road, between Washington Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, serves delicious lunches and desserts, and carries a wide variety of "out-of-the-ordinary" foods and ingredients for cooking on your own.  Telephone: 477-0634

The Gerst Haus, located at 2100 W Franklin Street, offers traditional German food as well as American in a casual setting. The restaurant is housed in the historic Heldt & Voelker Hardware Store, built in 1890.  Telephone: 424-1420

Iwataya Japanese Restaurant & the Japanese Grocery are located at 8401 N Kentucky Avenue, southeast of US Highway 41 and Mount Pleasant Road in the 41 North Business Park. The grocery store offers primarily Japanese dry food, noodles, spices and sauces. The restaurant offers both traditional Japanese fare and some Americanized Japanese dishes.  Telephone: 868-0830

The Jungle, 415 Main Street, Downtown on The Walkway, is a wonderful place to enjoy visiting with friends over specialty coffees. It also offers a great variety of dishes.

Lorenzo's Bistro and Bakery located at 976 S Hebron Avenue, one block west of Green River Road (next to Schnucks on the East Side.) You may purchase a great selection of breads and pastries to take home, or enjoy lunch in their "bistro" setting. Lorenzo's offers excellent vegetarian specialties.  Telephone: 475-9477

Shahi Dawat is a new Indian restaurant located in the Woodland Shopping Center on Vogel Road (near Green River Road) on the east side of Evansville. Specialities include Curry Tandoori, Indian breads (Naan and Kulcha) and Rasmalai.  Telephone: 476-9291

El Charro, located at 720 N Sonntag Avenue, serves authentic and inexpensive Mexican cuisine.  Telephone: 421-1986


COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Adath B'Nai Israel Temple

Buddhist Shanga - Telephone 434-6643

Buddhist Meditation - Contact Mary MacGregor - Telephone 426-1318

CAPE (Community Action Programs of Evansville) - Hispanic Center - Contact Luis Evia - Telephone 491-6195

Chinese Cultural Association - Contact Kwang-yu Tai - Telephone 853-1593 or 270/685-7045

Cultural Society of India - Contact Pathil Amin, 532 Wyndclyff Dr  Telephone 573-7777

Evansville International Folk Dancers

Germania Maennerchor

Hindu Temple of Kentucky

HOLA (Hospitality & Outreach for Latin Americans) - Contact Maura Robinson  Telephone 437-6914

Hispanic-Latino Student Association - Contact Herman Thomas  Telephone 465-7188

International House (I-House) at University of Evansville

Islamic Center - 1332 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville - Telephone 425-9801

Korean Church of Evansville - 1066 Windsor Place, Chandler IN   Contact Peter Cho  Telephone 925-3909

Model UN

Nativity Catholic Church (services in Spanish on Sundays at noon)

Osnabruck Society - Contact Dave Rodenburg  Telephone 422-2952

St. Andrew Society

South Asian Union - Contact Sheiphali Ghandi 

Southern Indiana Japanese School

Tri State International Club - Contact Alan Marty  Telephone 853-8946

Tri State World Trade Council

University of Evansville International Center - Telephone 488-2146


TAXI SERVICE 

Taxis are available 24 hours a day. The basic features of the taxi service are as follows:

  1. Cost is based on the distance that is traveled. The cost may be shared if several friends travel together. The maximum number of passengers for each taxi is 5.

  2. Telephone the taxi cab service and tell the person who answers the phone where and when you want the taxi driver to "pick you up." You must tell them where you are going. 
    Example: "I would like a taxi at the University of Southern Indiana in front of the O'Daniel building, Apartment #_____. I will be going to Eastland Mall. Please pick me up at 5:30 p.m. Thank you."

  3. A tip is customarily given to the driver for good service.

  4. When you are ready to return, you must call the taxi company again and make the same type of arrangements.


taxi graphic

The local taxi company is:

Rivercity Yellow Cab Company 

(429-0000)


BUS SERVICE

There is a free campus shuttle for USI students and staff that runs twice each hour.  Students only need to show their USI Eagle Access cards to ride the shuttle for free.  This goes through several locations on the USI campus and Golden Tower apartments.

City buses run throughout the city on a limited basis. There is a the regular bus service that goes to the University Shopping Center, USI student housing, USI Orr Center, Golden Tower apartments, Eagle Plaza, Stadium 16 theater, and Schnuck's Shopping Center. You can transfer to buses that will connect you to other routes from the Schnuck's parking lot.  The Office of International Programs and Services can provide you with a bus schedule.

For more information, go to http://www.evansvillemets.com.


AUTOMOBILES

An Indiana driver's license is required after 60 days residency. You may use your international license during the 60 day period prior to obtaining an Indiana license. If you will live in Indiana less than a year, you may maintain your home country license.

Before applying for an Indiana driver's license, you should obtain a copy of the Indiana Driver's Manual (available in the Office of International Programs and Services) to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations.

Persons who have a foreign license and who do not have US citizenship, will be required to show proof of identity and birth date with a passport or any document from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The person must provide the license branch with a legible copy of the foreign license and an English translation from the Office of International Programs and Services on USI letterhead. Applicants must have 6 "points" of identification, including:

Name and date of birth on USI letterhead 

= 3 points

Passport 

= 3 points

School ID card 

= 2 points

Social security number 

= 2 points

All applicants must pass the vision, written and driving examinations, and must be able to read and understand Indiana highway warning or direction signs written in English.

Car Title and License Plates
When you purchase a used or new car you will receive the car title of ownership. The title must be presented at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when you purchase the license plate for your car. You may also be asked to show the title when you take your driver's license exam.car graphic

Rental and Purchase of Automobiles
If you are 25 years of age, have an Indiana driver's license, and a good credit rating (for example, a major credit card like Visa or MasterCard), you are probably eligible to rent or lease a car. Check with the larger car agencies, such as Thrifty Car Rental, about rates for short- or long-term rental.

If you are buying a car, the key word is CAUTION. There are several very reputable car dealerships in the area that sell new or used cars. These dealerships will service your car if it needs repair after purchase. You must pay for repairs unless you have a manufacturer's warranty that states otherwise.

If you buy a used car from a private dealer, be careful to check the car before purchase. If you are an inexperienced car buyer, bring along a friend who knows about cars or take the car to a mechanic for an inspection. An honest car dealer should be happy to let you inspect all parts of the car and ask questions before you buy.

Automobile Insurance
If you own a car in Indiana, you must purchase liability insurance. Collision insurance is not required, but is recommended. Look in the "yellow pages" of the phone book to locate insurance agents, or ask a friend to refer you. Compare rates with several companies before buying. Remember, the owner of a car is responsible for any damages incurred while driving.

car graphic

University Parking

You will automatically be billed for University parking each semester.

 

 



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