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If you are a new graduate student in the Horticulture Department, international or local, you probably have a lot of questions upon your arrival.  This site is designed help you get some answers, or at least get you in the right direction.  Remember that website feedback is essential to the effectiveness of this page, so please contact SOHO with any questions or comments.  With thanks, your webmaster, Jess.
What is SOHO, and how do I join?
How do I get around Ithaca on a bus?
Where do I buy/obtain a bus pass?

I need a map of Ithaca that will show me the main local neighborhoods.
I need a map of Ithaca that will show me the closest groceries, pubs, and or restaurants to my home.

What classes do I need to take my first semester(s)?
How do I sign up for classes?

Where do I buy textbooks?

Where is the Hort Grad computer lab?

What software is available to me in the Hort Grad computer lab?

Can I request that new software packages be installed in the Hort Grad computer lab? And how do I do that?

How do I get dental and vision insurance for myself and/or my family?  

Who can I contact in the department, other than my advisor, if I have general questions or concerns being a graduate student?

Link to the Graduate Field of Horticulture website

SOHO is the official graduate student organization for the Department of Horticulture.  If you are a graduate student in the horticulture department, you are automatically a member of SOHO.  As a SOHO member, you have access to the computers in our computer lab for your research, teaching, and class needs, including internet access, various software packages, and printing capabilities.  As hortgrads, we must be able to pay for all of these conveniences ourselves.  As an individual, you can contribute by putting in a few volunteer hours each year for various fundraising activities.  The SOHO executive board will keep you posted on volunteering opportunities via email.

Our main fundraising activity is AppleFest, which is during the fall semester.  With everybody’s participation, we can pick, sort, and sell enough apples to pay for all of our computer lab needs, as well as to organize social events.  Plus, you can spend some quality time with your fellow grads while volunteering.  

SOHO is also committed to ensuring that hortgrads have some social break time from your usual hard working schedule.  Each year, the association organizes social events including a fall social barbeque, a winter ball, spring get-togethers, and even intramural sports, where you and your family members are welcome.

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Local Travel

With a bus pass, it is easy to get around Ithaca on a bus.  The buses run even in the worst weather conditions.  Visit  www.tcatbus.com for current bus schedules.

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Bus Passes

Check out this great website for Cornell Commuter & Parking Services for information on first-year free bus passes, where to obtain your bus pass, (free or not free), parking permits, and basically everything you ever wanted to know about riding a bus and/or parking at or around Cornell.

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The best link I've found for neighborhood locations is here, but please ask any of the existing grads for more details on neighborhoods.

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First, go to www.maps.google.com, then in the search field, type what you are looking for + near +  your relative location.  For example, type "grocery near 201 Maple Ave. Ithaca, NY."  Another example, "pubs near 201 Maple Ave. Ithaca, NY."

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As a graduate student in Horticulture, we have the luxury of having few requirements necessary to obtain our desired degree.  As soon as possible upon arrival in Ithaca, meet with your advisor regarding classes that he or she would like you to take, or regarding ones that would be helpful for your degree, given your particular background.

Your finalized class schedule will be ultimately determined by you and your committee at your Qualifying Conference, which is usually taken during your first year as a graduate student.
  
That said, most, if not all of us grads end up having to take a year of statistics:  BTRY 601 (Fall) and BTRY 602 (Spring).  There is quite a bit of homework for this class, but if you have the time in your schedule, get the over with as soon as possible.  It also helps to take the class with other students that you know in terms of studying for exams.

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