Graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are offered to support work conducted on research projects under the supervision of one or more faculty members. They are offered competitively, subject to available funds and faculty and are limited to students pursuing the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

Incoming research assistants typically spend their first year in the program assigned to a research project in their field of emphasis. During that time each student is encouraged to visit with other faculty about possible research projects. After the first year the student can change to another project with the Department Head's approval. Quite often students complete thesis research as part of their GRA duties.

Assistantships are awarded for nine months and can be renewed each year subject to normal progress criteria. The maximum number of months a student can receive support is 24 months for M.S. students and 48 months for Ph.D. students. Support for the 2007-08 academic year is $1,423/month for M.S. and $1,673/month for Ph.D. students. A GRA includes a tuition waiver. Students are responsible for student fees, which are currently $442 per term and are subject to change. Students receiving .49 FTE GRA support are expected to work an average of 255 hours per quarter.

Prospective students may apply to the department for financial assistance at any time, but applications should be made as early as possible. In general, applications for an assistantship for the following academic year should be submitted no later than January 15.

Faculty members pursue outside contracts and grants to support their research activities. These grants usually include one or more years' support for graduate students. Consequently, these grant projects are a source of funding for students seeking year-round support. Information about grant support can be obtained by contacting the Department Head.

The Department and University also awards several graduate fellowships to outstanding students. The Robert Johnson Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding graduate student in the program, with Ph.D. students at the dissertation stage receiving preference. The fellowship amount varies from year to year. Renewal of the fellowship for a second year is possible but not automatic.

The Susanne Szentandrasi Fellowship was established in recognition of the commitment to excellence of Susanne Szentandrasi, a former AREc graduate student. The award will be made annually and the amount will vary. The recipient must be an AREc graduate student interested in resource and environmental economics.

The Albert N. Halter Endowed Fellowship is given in memory of Dr. Al Halter, a professor of agricultural economics at OSU from 1960-1976. The award amount will vary and will be given annually. The recipient must be a graduate student in the AREc Department interested in production economics, risk management, or utility economics.

Two D. Barton DeLoach Distinguished Graduate Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding students in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Economics, and Forest Resources. The awards are given annually in the amounts of $5,000 and $15,000. The awards can be given in addition to a GRA.

The Joyce Furman Fellowship in Transportation Economics is a "seed" money fellowship designed to give students the opportunity to explore an issue in transportation economics and write a paper that could become part of a master's or Ph.D. thesis. This fellowship may be given in addition to a regular GTA appointment.

The William and Joyce Furman Fellowship in Transportation Economics is a $15,000-$20,000 fellowship designed to fully support a graduate student working on a thesis or dissertation that has a significant transportation economics content.

Emery Castle Graduate Scholarship in Economics is awarded annually to a student in the Departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Economics, or Forest Resources who has demonstrated excellence as a student and shows promise of performing well as a graduate student at OSU and as a career economist. Both domestic and international students are eligible for this $2,500 scholarship.

The Eric Englund Memorial Post-Graduate Scholarship is awarded annually to graduates of Oregon State University for postgraduate study in agricultural economics and home economics. The total stipend amount is approximately $4,000 and usually is divided between at two candidates; one from each department. The scholarship can be given in addition to other departmental financial support.

Charles E. and Clara Marie Eckelman Graduate Fellowships are awarded to outstanding students in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Animal Sciences, Food Science and Technology, and Microbiology. The fellowship is for a student interested in working in the dairy industry upon graduation. The stipend of $16,713 is a 12-month assistantship. The fellowship can be extended for two years for M.S. students and three years for Ph.D. students.

Sports Lottery Scholarships are awarded in varying amounts for academic merit and/or financial need for M.S. and Ph.D. students. It may be awarded in addition to other departmental financial support.

Advising

Three faculty members serve on the graduate admissions committee for the Department. Because of their familiarity with the prerequisites for the program and previous course work of each incoming student, they are particularly suited to provide advice about initial course work. Approximately one week prior to beginning fall classes, the Department sponsors an orientation meeting for all new students. After this meeting, students will be assigned to visit with a member of the admissions committee to plan their fall courses. Thereafter, primary advising responsibilities will rest with the student's major professor and committee, although the admissions committee will also provide advice when requested.

Computer Access

Computer support at OSU is funded largely by student fees. Consequently, there is no charge for use of computers or printers anywhere on campus. Students have access to personal computers at several campus locations. Commonly used software (such as statistical packages, word processing, spreadsheet and data base managers) are available at each location, as are laser quality printers. Although Windows systems dominate across campus, Apple Macintosh computers are also available.

Housed within Ballard Extension Hall is Nye Computer Lab (Grad Lab), which has 8 personal computers and a printer for graduate students in Agricultural and Resource Economics and Economics. Students log on to the computers using their ONID account which provides a roving profile and personal email for any computer accessed. Students are encouraged to bring personal computers for wireless connection.

Office Space

Desk space is provided for all students. Student offices are located on the third floor of Ballard Extension Hall, next to offices for graduate students and faculty members in the Department of Economics. Each student office has a mailbox on the second floor of Ballard Hall.

Student Profile The graduate student population in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics contains men and women from across the United States and several foreign countries. The composition of students for Fall 2002 was:

Total enrollment of 38 students; 17 are MS or MAIS or M.Agr. students and 21 are Ph.D. students; 34% of the total enrollment (13 students) are women; 55% of the total students enrolled (21 students) were from non-English speaking countries. These 55% represent 35% of the masters students and 71% of the Ph.D. students.