Whatever experience you have coming in, sometimes you just need some good advice. Since your first year will be rough enough, we've tried to cover all the basics and save you additional aggravation. There's also good information for our more experienced students.
Getting a Driver's License, Registering Your Car
Filing State Taxes
Registering to Vote
ASNMSU Office
Also, voter registration information, including the New Mexico Voter Bill of Rights (English and Spanish versions) and links to the Native American Election Information Program, can be found at the Secretary of State's website. Finally, appropriate forms and instructions for registering to vote in each of the fifty states can be found at the Election Assistance website.
Paying In-State Tuition
If you like, the information is available online at the Graduate School's website, where you can also download the form.
Automatic Tuition Deduction
Funding
Reimbursement for Meals
Getting Cheap Textbooks Online
Health Insurance
Details of the student health insurance policy can be found in various places: Graduate School health insurance website, University Insurance (click on 'College Students' button, then click 'View Policy Details' link) ... or you could just read the new health insurance brochure.
Teaching and Professional Development
Observing
Remote observing using the ARC 3.5m at APO requires that you either be certified or that you have your advisor present while you observe. Requirements for certification are that you spend 3 nights at APO with your advisor. They maintain a list of who is certified.
Information for everyone
Renting
Renting apartments and houses presents many questions and potential difficulties to tenants. ASNMSU provides a free handbook to educate you about your options, recourses, and responsiblities as a renter. You can pick on up at the ASNMSU office (second floor of Corbett) or download the PDF.
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division forms
Obtaining an NMSU drivers license the department will reimburse the registration fee
Participate in your government! Have a hand in shaping national policies! Have a reason to complain about who wins! Register to vote in New Mexico by filling out the Voter Registration Form and returning it to the ASNMSU office (2nd floor, Corbett Student Center) or they can deliver them directly to the Dona Ana County Bureau of Elections (845 N. Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88007, (505)
525-6156)). Forms are available from the following locations:
Campus Activities
Chicano Programs
Black Programs
American Indian Programs
Center for Learning Assistance
Student Health Center
Housing Office
Placement Office
Registrar's Office
Financial Aid Office
Admissions Office
Dona Ana County Bureau of Elections
To qualify for in-state tuition after your first year, you need to file for New Mexico residency. Go to the Registrar's Office in the Educational Services Center (by the duck pond). There is a form (more like a packet) which you fill out. You'll need to bring proof that you've been a resident for a year, such as a copy of your lease and a few bills as well as identification. If you're under 26, you'll need to bring a few more documents. Mr. Meeks in the Registrar's Office is the best person to talk to for details.
Automatic deduction of tuition from your paycheck is something you sign up for every semester. There's a form you can get from the Graduate School office in the Educational Services Center (by the duck pond) to take care of this. You'll end up taking it to the Billing office (next to Accounts Receivable).
Check out Brandon and Pey Lian's Funding Guide and Maria's guide.
When taking prospective students and colloquium speakers out to a meal, keep these rates in mind. The university will not reimburse for amounts exceeding the maximum established rates:
Breakfast
$10.50
Lunch
$16.00
Dinner
$26.00
StudentMarket.com good for comparing textbook prices from various sites
ISBN.nu also good for comparing textbook prices from various sites
Half.com Textbook Superstore
Amazon.com
Campus Books
Texbooks.com
The insurance we get through the university must be renewed each year, filling out the same forms each year, and trucking them over the Graduate School Office in the Educational Services Center (by the duck pond) each year. You'll need two forms. One is for the details of what kind of insurance you want. The other form is more an administrative form for how you qualify for student health, and you'll need your advisor to fill out a section for you. Give both of these back to the Graduate School Office.
Hey, our university's Teaching Academy offers short seminars on everything from being a better teacher to writing a better paper. Check out the schedule.
Use our handy observing log sheet (PDF).
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email the webmaster!