This can happen when the list of undergraduate courses needed is lengthly. You may be admitted to the program on a temporary basis at any time, including the week before each semester begins. Apply for any open spring semester assistantships by November 15th. The number of assistantships varies, but we usually have 7-10 to award. Grad assistants usually teach introductory biology laboratories.
GAs get a small stipend and a tuition discount.
See the graduate student manual for more on GAs. Although assistantships are granted on a one-semester basis, GAs starting in the fall will usually be reappointed for the following spring semester. This means that most GAs begin in the fall semester. Of course if a GA quits, graduates, or is not reappointed, then that slot will be available in the spring. Send a request to Dr. Bruce Wyman, McNeese Box 92000, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70609-2000, with a copy of your undergraduate transcript.