Information for New Graduate Students
Welcome to Fort Collins and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University, within the College of Agricultural Sciences. The department recommends that you arrive at least two weeks before the beginning of your first semester to establish residency, get to know the department and your fellow students, and attend Math Camp (Fall only, required for new funded students, strongly encouraged otherwise). Barb Brown (B318 Clark) and Dr. Dana Hoag (B330 Clark) are your program assistant and graduate coordinator, respectively, if you have any questions. The Department's main office is located in B320 Clark, and our chair is Dr. Steve Davies.
When you Get to Ft. Collins
Establish Residency
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 Ft. Collins housing market from the perpective of current graduate students, see the Housing Experiences document in the box to the right.
Update Contact Information
Your current contact information is very important for the department to have in order to provide you with information you need. Please notify Barb Brown (B318 Clark) if/when you change your phone number, mailing address or email address.
Orientation (Fall only)
The department is hosting an orientation week that we hope will make your transition to graduate school and the department as smooth as possible. These activities begin approximately one week before classes begin, and include a 12-hour “Math Camp” to help introduce you to the mathematical skills you will need in the program, a half-day department orientation, some orientation activities run by the University, and a few social opportunities. The department orientation is mandatory for all incoming students, while Math Camp is required for new funded students, and highly recommended for all other students. A calendar of events is available in the documents box to the right.
Math Camp (Fall only)
Approximately one week before the Fall semester begins, we hold a Math Camp for all incoming graduate students. This math camp consists of six, two-hour lectures that review the basic economic and mathematical concepts that you will encounter in graduate-level Microeconomic theory classes. Math camp is required for incoming funded students, and strongly encouraged for all others. A math camp calendar and outline is available in the documents box to the right.
Readings Class (Fall only)
During the Fall semester, the Department requires a one-credit readings class for all entering graduate students. This class will be held Fridays from 12-12:50 PM, and is designed to introduce students to written applied economic work in order to learn about the principles of academic writing.
Computer Facilities/Email
Computer Lab
The graduate student computer lab is located in Clark B335. This lab is set up for DARE 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
Email accounts must be obtained on the web at http://eID.colostate.edu. You may choose a Lamar account, or use your Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. personal account. Please make sure your account accepts attachments and has adequate space for large .pdf, Powerpoint, etc... files. You will need your PID and PAC number (obtained from Barb Brown) for a CSU account. It is important to notify Barb Brown of any email address changes so that we can update our records.
Keys and Offices
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics will attempt to supply all graduate students with office space. However, space is limited and therefore not everyone will always have an office, and some people will have more desirable office space than others. Priority office spaces are: 1) offices in the B wing, 2) Carrels in the C wing (C-308 and C-365), 3) desk space in the international room (C-314 ), and 4) lockers. Please see Barb Brown for your assignment and Donna Sosna (B320 Clark) for your 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 to the main office.
The criteria for allocating offices to graduate students is as follows, except at the discretion of the department, listed from high to low priority:
- Ph.D. and M.A./M.S. students funded as teaching assistants
- Ph.D. then M.S. students funded by the department or a faculty member who are working on the final phases of their dissertation or thesis
- Ph.D. then M.S./M.A. students who are funded by the department or a faculty member to conduct research
- Ph.D. students who have passed all qualifying exams
- Ph.D. then M.S. students not funded by the department that are working on the final phases of their dissertation or thesis
- All other Ph.D. students (ordered by tenure)
- All other M.S./M.A. students (ordered by tenure).
Resources and Opportunities
Copy Machine
There is a copier, for graduate student use only, in the computer lab. Copies cost 5¢ each and the money is used for supplies and maintenance of the machine. A key is required to use this machine, and is available from Denise Davis in Clark B321. Denise will collect money for copies.
Faculty Committees
There are opportunities for students to serve on faculty committees. If you are interested, contact your departmental GSA representative. There is also a liaison committee of graduate students to communicate with the chair of the department.
Library
The Morgan Library is located in the building to the west of the Clark Building. Graduate students may check out books for extended periods of time. The contact person for Agricultural and Resource Economics at the library is Joan Beam -- see her concerning materials, sources for research, and computer searches. Telephone 491-4315.
Mail
Mailboxes for graduate students are located in the graduate computer lab (B335). Please check your boxes for department notices and academic information.
Notice Postings
Job notices and general information are posted on a bulletin board outside of B318, and in the main lobby outside of B320 is a faculty/staff/graduate student picture board (stop by Barb’s office, in B318, so that we can take your picture).
Transportation and Parking
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.
Bicycle Permits
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.
Bus Service
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.