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The Unofficial Graduate Student Survival Guide 

Contents

Welcome, and Congratulations on your acceptance to the North Carolina State University College of Textiles. This booklet is designed to help you easily navigate around NC State, the College of Textiles, and Raleigh. Good Luck! Website information is provided as often as possible, so please check the website if you have further questions.

Student ID Card

If you have not yet gotten your NCSU ID card you need to go to the AllCampus Network office in the West Dunn Building at the corner of Dan Allen Drive and Thurman Drive. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Your first card is free, replacement cards are $15.
http://www.ncsuallcampus.com/ac/

Bookstore

There is a bookstore on main campus, and a small one on Centennial campus. The Centennial campus bookstore "Century Shop" is simply at the end of the bridge going away from building one. The main campus bookstore is located at 2521 Dunn Avenue, which is near the Talley Student Center. For more information and hours of operation visit http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsubookstores/storeinfo.html

Safety

Of course, walking in groups, and being aware of your surroundings are of the utmost importance when considering your safety. Another feature that NC State offers is the "Blue Light Phones". The red poles, with blue lights atop, are found all over the university (Centennial campus included). Police are dispatched upon pressing of the button. The following websites are helpful in understanding what you can do to ensure your safety while on campus.

Library

There are two libraries where you will likely spend most of your time: DH Hill (main campus) and Burlington Textiles Library (Centennial campus). Hours, locations, and other library related information can be found at http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/. From this site, you can also access the library catalog, course reserves (if a professor wants you to access documents specific to a class), databases, referencing software, and many other helpful sources.

RefWorks

This is a very helpful tool when it comes to organizing resources, and forming a bibliography. Tutorials may be found on the RefWorks site, which can be accessed from the Libraries homepage.

Databases

The databases "World Textiles" and "Textile Technology Index" both are great for research.

Trip Saver

The "Trip Saver" option offered by the NCSU libraries is a great way to obtain books, articles, and other resources necessary for your research. Although there is generally a pretty quick response, some sources can take a couple weeks to arrive, so appropriate time should be allotted.

Request Title

This option allows you to have books from other NCSU locations delivered to wherever you desire. When you choose the book you want you will see a "Request Title" icon with the truck on the right side of the page. When you click this you can pick where you want your book to be delivered, a notice will be emailed to you when it arrives.

Items to Borrow

The library also offers students the option to borrow laptops, camcorders, digital cameras, and other items. Details can be found at http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/techlending/

Print Quota

To print a document from a school computer you must first purchase print quota. You can do this at http://print.ncsu.edu/. On this site you can also check your print quota and retrieve other details in regard to printing.

Other details regarding printing documents on campus can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/cc/essentials/managing_files/printing/faq_wolfprint.html

Photocopies

To make copies while on campus you will want to obtain a copy card. At the COT these can be purchased in the student lounge (Building 3 Level 2), or at the DH Hill library. Some of the photocopy machines do accept cash, but if you purchase your copies with your copy card you receive a discounted price. Adding value can be done at the same machines where you purchase your card. Details for printing can be found on the services section of the library website or on the "Cost of Printing on Campus" site above.

Printing in Color

Color printers can be found at the DH Hill Library. Types of printers (Color or B&W) can be found at http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/printing/find-printer

Other Printing

The DH Hill library can also print large documents, such as those utilized for poster projects. Printing details can be found on any of the above websites.

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD)

It is advisable to become familiar with the documents/ requirements of the ETD prior to beginning your thesis/ dissertation. Workshops are offered through this website, and can be viewed on the computer, or you can attend a workshop at the DH Hill library. http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/etd/

Remote Access to Programs

Want to work on Photoshop from home? The university offers students the ability to remotely access programs such as JMP, Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, etc. Below are the directions for Photoshop, however, if you want a different program, simply choose the program of choice. All of the other steps are the same.

To access the VCL image of 'Photoshop' do the following:

  1. Go to http://vcl.ncsu.edu/
  2. Under 'Reservation System' select 'Make a Reservation'
  3. Click 'Proceed to Login' and Login with your unity credentials
  4. Select the image you want from the list (for example: Photoshop)
  5. Choose when you would like to reserve the system
  6. Select 'Create Reservation'
  7. When your reservation is ready you will be emailed a notification
  8. Go to the VCL 'Current Reservations' page and choose 'Connect'
  9. Click 'Get RDP File' and save it to your desktop
  10. Double-click the file and supply the username / password credentials on the VCL connect page

Computer Help at the COT

If you are having issues with a computer the IT people at the COT are very helpful. The office is somewhat hidden, but once you find it, they are always willing to help. The COT IT services are located in Room 2303.

My Pack Portal

You can use this website to view your schedule, grades, transcripts, register for classes, fill out your plan of work, etc. http://mypack.ncsu.edu

WolfWare

In this site you can do anything pertaining to your current class schedule.
http://wolfware.ncsu.edu

Athletics at NCSU

All information regarding how to obtain student tickets and guest tickets can be found at https://www.ticketreturn.com/NCSU/(X(1)S(gt35qd2gwobd3gnjqm4pik32))/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
This website also includes information on how to get group seating for athletic games.

Game schedules, rosters, and other team details can be found at http://www.gopack.com/

Bus System

The Wolfline bus system maps, and other details can be found at http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/trans/transportation/wolfline/
This site also has a feature that pinpoints the exact location of your bus, thus avoiding waiting outside longer than necessary. The city bus system also allows NC State riders to ride for free. Obtain your "GoPass" from the site above.

Numbering of Buildings

Buildings / Rooms on the COT are uniquely numbered. The first number is the floor level, the second number is the building number and the last two numbers are the room number. So, for example Room 3408 is level 3, building 4, room 08. Building 1 is closest to the bridge, and is connected to building two via the atrium. Building 3 is where you will find the student lounge, and building 4 is where the library is and is near the bus stops.

Student and Career Services

Student and Career Services, located near the student lounge of building 3, is where you can find Kent Hester ( a great resource for finding jobs / internships and other COT related information). It is also where interviews for visiting companies take place, and where you gain have many of your college related questions answered. Kent sends out weekly e-mails that contain a great deal of information about what is happening on campus, career related information, and other tid-bits that maybe helpful. Kent also offers an internship class several times throughout the year, which is required should you want to obtain an internship through the COT. After attending his internship class you will be able to create a profile that will be visible to potential employers.

Keys

A Key FOB is provided to graduate students free. This can be obtained from Kate Ryan. Her office is 3421 and is located in the Dean's Suite. Replacement FOBs are $10. You can also retrieve your office, lab, or desk keys from Kate. A one time $50 deposit is required, and is returned when the all keys are returned.

Textile Association of Graduate Students (TAGS)

TAGS is a way for graduate students in the college to connect with one another. TAGS organizes events throughout the year to give you an occasional break from your studies. You will be invited to join the TAGS list serve at the beginning of the school year, by joining the list you will be informed of all upcoming events and seminars. Information about TAGS can be found at
http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/community/student-life/student-organizations.cfm

North Carolina

If you intend to become a NC resident for tuition purposes there are several steps you will want to take as soon as possible

  • Get your NC driver's license - the DMV is located in the plaza at the corner of Gorman Street and Avent Ferry Road (the US Post Office is located here as well)
  • 3231 Avent Ferry Road

Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: (919) 816-9128
Fax: (919) 816-9276
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday

  • While getting your new driver's license you can also register to vote
  • You will then have to register your car and have it inspected

Other locations and details about this process can be found below

Thanks to Jennifer Woodson for compiling this information