The property (T), introduced by Kazhdan in 1967, is an important and versatile tool coming from representation theory. One of equivalent definitions is this: a locally compact group G has property (T) if every continuous action of G by isometries on a Hilbert space has a fixed point. Kazhdan has shown that real and p-adic simple groups of rank greater or equal to 2 , as well as their lattices, have property (T), for example, SL_n(R), SL_n(Z), for n >2.

Since then, the importance of property (T) has increased and numerous applications of this property have been found: from explicit construction of expander graphs through the uniqueness of invariant means to the structure of operator algebras. In recent years, new characterizations and applications of the property (T) have been discovered, linked to ergodic theory, cohomology and graphs.

The aim of the workshop is to let participants learn about Kazhdan's property (T), as well as the most recent related developments and applications, directly from the world-class specialisits in the area.

Please send expressions of interest to Thierry Giordano (giordano@uottawa.ca) or to Vladimir Pestov (vpest283@uottawa.ca). Graduate students and new Ph.D. are especially encouraged to attend.

Financial support:

Funding support was available for graduate students to partially cover local expenses and travel. Some funding may also be available to postdocs depending on budget constraints. Application deadline: July 15, 2004.

Registration

The registration fee is $75 CDN , $25 CDN for students and unfunded participants.

Accommodation in Ottawa

Participants are asked to make their own accommodation reservations. We are happy to provide the information below to assist in your selection. In some cases, special rates have been granted for the Fields Workshop Series. In all cases, to ensure that you get the best possible rate, please mention that you are a university professor/student visiting the University of Ottawa, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

When making your reservation, please clarify payment and cancellation policies as these vary from hotel to hotel. You should get a confirmation number for future reference. Rates quoted below are in Canadian dollars, are per night, and are subject to applicable taxes.

University of Ottawa Residences:

To make a booking at the University of Ottawa residences, please print out a form, in postscript or pdf formats, fill it out, and send by fax or mail to the address provided on the form. On the form you will also find an e-mail address where additional inquiries can be directed.

APM-DMF
90 University Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 6N5
Tel : 613-564-5400

The University offers accomodations during the summer months, and a block of rooms in the "New Residence" has been reserved for this workshop. They are two-room suites with double beds, a private washroom, a kitchenette and a TV. Suites must be reserved at least 30 days in advance, and a deposit equal to one night's stay is required.

Information about the suites in the new residences may be found at www.uottawa.ca/students/housing/newres.html. The cost is $110.88 per night, including taxes, single or double occupancy, with $10 per additional person up to a maximum of 4. Continental breakfast at the Cafeteria is included.

Reservations may also be made for the conventional residences (single bed, desk, shared washroom) for approximately $40, single occupancy.

Bed & Breakfast:

Ottawa House Bed & Breakfast
264 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 6K4
Tel: 613-789-4433
Fax: 613-789-6440
Email: connie@ottawahouse.com
Rates: $ 80, single occupancy $ 110, double occupancy

Gasthaus Switzerland Inn
89 Daly Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 6E6
Tel: 613-237-0335, toll-free 1-888-663-0000
Fax: 613-594-3327
Email: info@gasthausswitzerlandinn.com
Deluxe rooms and suites are also available. Rates: $ 108, Standard room, double bed, private bath with shower, single/double occupancy
$ 118, Standard room, queen bed, private bath with shower, single/double occupancy
$ 128, Standard room, queen bed, private bath with tub & shower, single/double occupancy
$ 128, Twin room, 2 single beds, private bath with shower, single/double occupancy
$ 138, Twin room, 2 single beds, private bath with tub & shower, single/double occupancy

Hotels:

Most of the following hotels are listed on the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) website. Special hotel rates are negotiated for CAUBO/AUCC through the University of British Columbia. The current rates, available to all faculty and staff for Regular Members and College and University Subscriber Members are listed below. More information (and direct links to the websites with CAUBO-negotiated rates) is available at the CAUBO web site (under Procurement - Arrangements). Blackout dates indicate periods during which special rates do not apply.

Lord Elgin Hotel
100 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1P 5K8
Tel: 613-235-3333, toll-free: 1-800-267-4298
Fax: 613-235-3223
Rates: $ 113, single/double occupancy
Blackout: Wnterlude in February, Jun 29/03 - Jul 02/03 Delta Ottawa
361 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1R 7S9
Tel: 613-238-6000, toll-free: 1-800-268-1133
Fax: 613-238-2290
Rates: $ 135, single/double occupancy

Crowne Plaza Ottawa
101 Lyon Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1R 5T9
Tel: 613-237-3600, toll-free: 1-1-800-227-6963
Fax: 613-237-2351
Rates: $ 132, single/double occupanc The Westin Ottawa
11 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 9H4
Tel: 613-560-7000, toll-free: 1-800-937-8461
Fax: 613-560-2707
Website: http://www.crowneottawa.ca
Rates: $ 179, single/double occupancy
Blackout: December 31

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
130 Besserer Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 9M9
Tel: 613-232-2000, toll-free: 1-800-267-1989
Fax: 613-232-1242
Rates: $ 134, single/double occupancy
Blackout: July 1 Arc The Hotel
140 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1P 5H6
Tel: 613-238-2888, toll-free: 1-800-699-2516
Fax: 613-235-8421
Website: http://www.arcthehotel.com
Rates: $ 135, single/double occupancy

Youth Hostels:

Ottawa Jail Youth Hostel
(located in a former prison)
75 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B9
Phone: 613-235-2595 Fax: 613-235-9202
Rates: $ 56.70, single occupancy
$ 24.15, shared occupancy, per person Sandy Hill Youth Hostel
(located in a former convent)
119 Daly Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6E6
Phone: 613-688-2708 Fax: 613-288-0370
Rates: $ 56.70, single occupancy
$ 24.15, shared occupancy, per person

Travel

From the airport:

By taxi, the trip to the University takes about 20 minutes and costs about $25. To travel by bus, take bus # 97 to the "Laurier" bus stop, which is at the edge of the campus. The buses run every 15 minutes during the daytime. The fare is $2.50 and you will need exact change.
The schedule for bus # 97 is available at the OCTranspo web site along with complete transit way maps. Please note that schedules change on the weekend, so you'll want to check that out by clicking on the "Saturday" or "Sunday" buttons.

From the train station:

By taxi, the trip to the University takes about 5 minutes and costs about $10. To travel by bus, take bus # 95 to the "Laurier" bus stop, which is at the edge of the campus. The buses run every 10 minutes during the daytime. The fare is $2.50 and you will need exact change.
The schedule for bus # 95 is available at the OCTranspo web site along with complete transit way maps. Please note that schedules change on the weekend, so you'll want to check that out by clicking on the "Saturday" or "Sunday" buttons.

From the bus station:

The Voyageur Bus Terminal is located at 265 Catherine Street between Lyon and Kent St. Information on Schedules and Fares is available at http://voyageur.com or by calling 613-238-5900 or toll-free at 1-800-668-4438. By taxi, the trip from the Terminal to the University takes about 5 minutes and costs about $10. To travel by local bus, check the OCTranspo web site for route information (there is no direct route to the University Campus but bus #4 brings you to the Rideau Centre which is close by). The buses run every 15 minutes during the daytime. The fare is $2.50 and you will need exact change.

Travelling by car:

If travelling by car, you'll be on highway 417 (the Queensway). Take exit Nicholas Street exit. The edge of campus is at Nicholas and the Queensway. The University of Ottawa and the hotel locations are indicated on the maps section of this web site.

Parking

Check with your hotel or other accommodation choice regarding parking. If hotel parking is not available, there are several municipal parking lots available near campus.

For those staying at the University of Ottawa dormitories, parking is offered at an additional charge. Day occassinal parking is available on campus in covered garages, parking meters, and pay and display lots. For more complete information about the location and cost of these options, visit the website of the University of Ottawa's Parking and traffic division.

Additional information regarding parking will be posted to this web site as it becomes available.

Maps
City of Ottawa Convention Guide
Virtual tour of the University of Ottawa
Campus Map
OC Transpo Maps

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The workshop organizers would like to express their appreciation of the much-valued financial support from the following sources.

The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

The Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Workshop on Kazhdan's Property (T) August 25-27, 2004 to be held at the University of Ottawa.

All Lectures will take place in Morisset Hall. A map of the University of Ottawa Campus is available here. (room 251 for registration and coffee breaks, room 250 for the lectures).