new students - first days..

Things to do after landing up in Boulder.

The three most important things for a human being are food, shelter and clothing. Hoping that you have taken care of the last one, shelter and food are first to be taken care of. Most important thing to do is to

1. find a temporary accommodation for a few days or a week or two. Then,
   
2. know about the food sources so that you don't remain hungry. Your host may cook for you or you will have to cook for yourself or eat outside. It would not be a bad idea to bring some food from India in case of emergency.(However,after 9/11 the baggage can be examined for bio-hazardous material and Indian food items which are difficult to explain in English may be thrown away without any explanation given or sought. The food should be canned or sealed. It is illegal to bring any fruits or seeds because it may affect local flora and/or fauna. ) Then, while you are completing other formalities at school,

3. search for a decent apartment simultaneously. Some of the important points to take into consideration while looking for an apartment are:
   Location: Should be close to school or on a RTD route.
   Rent: Should be affordable. Be ready to pay around $ 300 to 350 per month.
   Utilities: Rent should include some of the utilities (gas, electricity, trash etc.). If it does not include heating which runs on gas/ electricity add around 30-40 bucks per head to the rent as the heating costs a lot in winter).
   Next business day (Mon-Fri) morning after you come here, hoping that you are not suffering from a jet lag,

4. go to ISSS office . Take your I-20 and your passport along with you when you go there. Meet Tina or Janet and they will help you to complete the formalities and guide you with the things to do. Also get a letter from FSSS for your SSN (Social Security Number) card. Make sure you take a university map to easily find different buildings.
   Social Security Number is very important and has to be kept confidential and should not be given to any person except certain school officials, bank, and on credit card application etc.

5. How to apply for a SOCIAL SECURITY number

6. Go TO ITS and set up your account. You would use this to log in to the computers in the labs and also set up a email account. A lot of information is conveyed through email and it serves as an important means of communication.
7. Getting the Buff One Card: (Buff stands for Buffalo, which is our mascot. Her name is Ralphie.) It is a CU student identity card. Go to Hallett Hall . There will be signs to go to the Buff One (B1) card office which is in the basement and opposite to the bookstore (visit this after you are done with the B1 card). They will give also give you a card holder and bus pass sticker also along with the card.

8. Opening an account in the U of C Federal Credit Union Bank: There are other banks in the area, but UOfFCU is advised as there are a number of ATMs on campus. There is one branch of this bank in UMC. You can get a temporary bank account with them without a social security number. A checking/ share draft account is for direct transactions and earns no interest. A savings/ share account (min $25 deposit reqd.) is for accumulating $$$ while earning a mere 2.4 percent interest. So make sure that this is done in first one or two days, so that all the TCs, DDs, and cash can be deposited and will be safe. While at the bank,
   • Apply for check books. (Checks are accepted at grocery and many other shops and mainly required to pay Univ. fees.) Let the checks have your school address printed on it if you don't have a permanent address.
   • Apply for Visa debit card. Also you can get your B1 card to work as a debit card. It is accepted in local stores. The B1 card can also be used to withdraw money from the ATMs.
   • Apply for a e-teller access to manage your account on the web (may require SSN)
   • Apply for a credit card (requires SSN)

9. Get your Driver's License ASAP. Longer the DL you have better it is for insurance when you buy a car.
   Visit http://www.mv.state.co.us for more info. DL also serves as an important form of ID (Identification Document) and is required at airports and pubs/bars.
   Or if you want to get the license later, go ahead and get your State Identification card. It will have your date of birth on it. Cost: $3.50. You can get a Colorado State ID at the Driver's License Bureau itself. Take your passport and another form of ID.

General Information

Important Phone Numbers

• General information 303-492-5101
• Appointments 303-492-5432

Postal Services

Main Post Office
1905 15th Street
938-1100

Branch Post Office
1111 Broadway
(Inside the Colorado Bookstore)

Addressing Mail:

The From Address should be at the left top most corner of the envelope.
The To Address is indented form the From Address

Banking Services

• University of Colorado Federal Credit Union
  Room 171 UMC
  303-443-4672
  
• Colorado National
  1495 Canyon Blvd.
  303-449-8172
• Bank One
  Broadway and Canyon
  303-442-6770
• Norwest Bank
  1242 Pearl Street
  303-442-0351