New Student Checklist
Before you arrive
Email Lisa Lujan, llujan@wsu.edu with the date and time you plan to arrive in Pullman
Network ID and Email
To obtain a Network ID, visit www.wsu.edu/Nid/nid.html and follow the link to create your Network ID (you will need your WSU ID number for this).
Once you have created your Network ID you will have access to ZZusis. Once you have logged in, follow the directions for setting up your new WSU email account. Once you have established your email, contact Lisa Lujan with your new WSU email address.
Classes and Registration
Students on assistantship must maintain full-time enrollment (10 credit minimum, 10-12 credits is the average enrollment). You will consult with your advisor each semester before determining which courses you should sign up for. Graduate students must enroll in at least 1 credit of research (700 or 800) each term they are enrolled full-time.
Register as soon as possible to give departments an early indication of expected enrollment before low-enrollment decisions are made. You must register before the first day of class to avoid a Late Registration
fee of $25.00. All adjustments to your enrollment should be complete by the 10th day of class.
Please visit the university’s Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines in each semester.
The Schedule of Classes listed by semester is available both here and in ZZUsis. Registration must be completed using ZZusis.
Mandatory training
The University requires mandatory training on Responsible Conduct of Research for all graduate students. This is a web-based training available at https://myResearch.wsu.edu. More information can be found on the Graduate School Research Integrity site. Please complete the training module as soon as possible – you can even do this before you arrive. You must sign in with your network ID and password; do not sign in as a guest user.
Discrimination/Sexual Harassment training, print certificate before closing the program and bring to the Graduate Center when you arrive. Access to this training is tied to your active student status, which means you will not be able to access it until mid-September. Please mark your calendars.
There is an additional mandatory orientation for international students (read more below).
Digital Image of You
Please email a digital image of yourself which clearly shows your face. This image will accompany your student profile on the department website. Email your picture and the completed the ‘Use and Release of Likenesses’ form FERPA_Release_Form to Lisa Lujan, llujan@wsu.edu in the Johnson Hall Graduate Center, before arrive.
Graduate School Orientation
Orientation is required for all beginning graduate students; this is offered by the WSU Graduate School the week before the Fall semester begins. Please register online.
An additional orientation is required for International Students. This orientation is provided the week before classes begin during Spring and Fall semesters. Register online.
Housing
When you are admitted, your name is forwarded to WSU Housing Services, and you should receive an email directly from Housing. For off-campus housing please see: http://offcampusliving.wsu.edu/Default.asp. Note: You must reside in the state of Washington to be eligible for tuition waivers.
For questions, use the online Contact Us or you may call them at (509) 335-4577.
Immunizations
All new students entering WSU must present documentation of immunity to measles (rubeola) to WSU Health and Wellness Services. Please visit their website to print the form. This needs to be done before you are allowed to register.
Money
You should plan to bring enough money with you to cover your initial expenses. You should take into consideration extra money you might need for rental deposits, purchasing household items, food, etc.
Those on assistantships, please note that it can take up to 6 weeks to receive your first pay check. You should receive your first check on September 10 for students starting in the Fall term and January 25 for students starting in the Spring term.
International Student Arrival
Ground transportation from the Pullman/Moscow Airport to the WSU campus is offered by OISS for two days prior to the first day of orientation at no charge. Please provide your arrival information by completing the appropriate request forms.
Familiarize yourself on how to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status. It is each student’s responsibility to be sure they are in compliance with these regulations.
Once you arrive
Check in upon arrival
Students on assistantships or international students will need to check in with the Johnson Hall Graduate Center no later than the 1st working day of your assistantship (August 16 for Fall term, January 1 for Spring term, May 16 for Summer term). All others will need to check in by the first day of class. The Graduate Center for Crop and Soil Science, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology is located in Johnson Hall, Rms 125-129.
Initial paperwork will be completed; you are required to bring ORIGINAL documentation (pg 5) to complete the form I-9 with you.
You will receive a desk and mailbox assignment and receive a brief tour. International students are required to check in at International Programs upon arrival, contact OISS to arrange an interview time once you are in Pullman. Students beginning Summer Semester, please see Summer Arrival information.
Computer set up
Follow the link for instructions on how to set up the printer and how to set up your wireless connection.
Update Address
Update your local address at ZZusis.
Payroll deduction for tuition and fees is available during the academic year. Your action is required to sign up each semester.
Insurance
Information can be found at Health and Wellness and the Graduate Assistant Student Insurance Plan FAQ
For students beginning Summer Semester, Summer Gap Health Insurance is available and requires enrollment.
Students on assistantship in the Spring term will be covered the following summer to August 15 (f you have graduated in the Spring term, check with Health and Wellness to determine if you are insured in the summer).
A health fee is charged to all students who are registered at WSU and enrolled in 7 or more credits. This fee entitles you to obtain services from the WSU Health and Wellness Service for the entire semester. Many of these services are available to the student at no cost. Balances due after insurance are transferred to your student account. They do not provide vision or dental services, but providers in the area are familiar with the plan and its benefits.
Residency Requirement and Tuition Waiver
For those admitted as non-residents and on assistantship, your assistantship appointment will exempt you from paying in-state tuition if you live in Washington State during your enrollment at WSU. You will be provided an out-of-state tuition waiver during your first year of studies if you are not a resident of Washington State; however, the out-of-state tuition waiver cannot be guaranteed beyond one year. If you are not a resident of Washington State, you must begin the process immediately upon arrival to establish state residency http://www.gradschool.wsu.edu/Common/StudentLife/Residency.aspx as documentation must in place for one year. Students who have not established Washington State residency by the one-year limit will be required to pay out-of-state tuition, even if they have an assistantship.
International students are not eligible to become residents. For international students, the assistantship appointment will exempt you from paying the out-of-state and in-state tuition if you live in Washington State during your enrollment at WSU.
Deadlines
Please follow the link to the Graduate’s School’s Dates and Deadlines. This site offers a Masters Timeline and PhD Timeline that detail out actions that should be taken semester by semester.
Crop and Soil Sciences Graduate Handbook
The department handbook is available on our website. You are responsible for knowing the information in the handbook. Please bookmark and use it often to answer questions you may have.
Leave and Vacations
During the term of their appointments, all graduate student service appointees are expected to be at work each normal workday, including periods when the University is not in session with the exception of the legal holidays designated by the Board of Regents. All University holidays are designated by the Board of Regents and are published at Policy and Procedures. Graduate students on appointment do not earn annual leave or sick leave. You must notify your advisor if you are unable to be at school.
Web resources
Washington State University Graduate School
WSU’s Virtual Tour
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
City of Pullman
Pullman Chamber of Commerce
The Daily Evergreen
WSU Graduate & Professional Student organization (GPSA)
Regional Info
Lastly, if you move, change phone numbers or e-mail addresses, please provide those changes to Lisa Lujan so we are able to contact you if needed.