Information for New Graduate Students
Welcome to Fort Collins and the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University, within the College of Agricultural Sciences. The Department's main office is located in C127 Plant Sciences, and our chair is Dr. Gary Peterson.
When you Get to Ft. Collins
If you are a domestic student, it is essential that you establish Colorado residency to ensure you are only charged in-state tuition after your first year. To do so, you must:
- Obtain a Colorado state drivers license, 1121 W. Prospect (Department of Revenue), Phone 494-9804
- If applicable, register your car, 200 W. Oak (Larimer County Court House), Phone 498-7878
- Register to vote in Colorado (at either of the above locations)
- Change your permanent address to Colorado with the University on RAMweb, click on “Address View/Update” under “Records” section.
THE ABOVE ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETED A FULL YEAR IN ADVANCE OF THE BEGINNING OF YOUR THIRD SEMESTER. AS SUCH, PLEASE COMPLETE THEM BY MID-AUGUST (ENTERING FALL) OR EARLY JANUARY (ENTERING SPRING)!
In addition, you should do the following during your first year:
- Keep a copy of your signed housing documents (lease, rental agreement, etc...) in a safe place.
- Keep your pay stubs for proof of Colorado employment.
- File Colorado state income taxes by April 15, and locate copies of your previous state tax forms for the previous year.
- Attend a Residency Orientation class.
- By mid-June (entering Fall) or early Nov. (entering Spring), visit the Tuition Classification Office, 103 Administration Annex, to turn in papers and reclassify your residency.
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUT-OF-STATE TUITION IF RESIDENCY IS NOT ESTABLISHED BEFORE YOUR THIRD SEMESTER!
For some insights into the Fort Collins housing market from the perpective of current graduate students, see the Housing Experiences document in the box to the right.
Your current contact information is very important for the department to have in order to provide you with information you need. Please notify Karen Allison, C127 Plant Sciences, if/when you change your phone number, mailing address or email address.
Computer Facilities/Email
The graduate student computer lab is located in Plant Sciences C23. This lab is set up for Soil and Crop Sciences and BSPM graduate students only. The equipment, paper and service calls on your computers are paid for by your technical fees. Office supplies are ordered through Ed Peyronnin, Coordinator, Center for Information Technology, College of Agricultural Sciences, at 491-5583.
Email accounts must be obtained on the web at http://mail.rams.colostate.edu to set up a Google Apps account. It is important to notify Karen Allison of any email address changes so that we can update our records.
The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences will attempt to supply all graduate students with office space. However, space is limited and therefore not everyone will always have an office. Please see Karen Allison for your assignment and keys. Keys must be returned before leaving the program. The Department Clearance Form (GS 25B) will not be sent to the Graduate School until we have been notified that your thesis has been sent to the binder (if applicable) and your keys have been returned.
Resources and Opportunities
The Morgan Library is located in the building to the west of the Plant Sciences building. Graduate students may check out books for extended periods of time.
Mailboxes for graduate students are located in the copy room (C124). Please check your boxes for department notices and academic information.
Job notices and general information are posted on a bulletin board outside of C127, and in the main lobby outside of C127 is a faculty/staff/graduate student picture board (stop by Karen’s office, in C127, so that we can take your picture).
Transportation and Parking
Parking permits can be purchased in 201 Green Hall on Meridian Avenue at the Parking Services office. You may purchase a yearly, monthly or daily parking permit for “Z” lots (commuter student parking) on campus. Students living in University Village may also purchase “S” permits, available from their University Village Apartment Office Manager. Students with apartments in Aggie Village may get their "T" permits from their Aggie Apartment Office Manager. Parking space is not guaranteed. Please be aware that Parking Services is very aggressive about ticketing. Parking permits are affixed to the lower passenger side windshield and may be moved from vehicle to vehicle. A fee is charged for stolen or lost permits. For current fees and information please check the Parking Service website or call them at 970 491-7041.
The University Police Department, located in 212 Green Hall, is where you may purchase a $5.00 bicycle permit. This permit is valid for as long as you own the bike. Phone 491-7112.
Full time students are eligible for semester bus passes for the city's Transfort Bus system. Please call the Information Desk at the Lory Student Center for more information at 491-6444.
Additional Information
The Graduate School is very important as a source of information concerning required forms, financial aid, university graduate school requirements, etc.