Board of Governors Agenda March 8, 2006 Submitted by: Nancy S

Submitted by: Nancy S. Barrett, Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
Undergraduate Research Initiatives
Board of Governors
Agenda
March 8, 2006
Undergraduate Research at
Wayne State University
Presentation for the Board of Governors
March 8, 2006
Undergraduates and the Research
University
“The research universities need to be able to give their
students a dimension of experience and capability they
cannot get in any other setting, a research experience
that is genuine and meaningful.
Undergraduates need to become an active part of the
audience for research. In a setting in which inquiry is
prized, every course in an undergraduate curriculum
should provide an opportunity for a student to succeed
through discovery-based methods.”
- The Boyer Report
Benefits of Undergraduate
Research
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Students who engage in
undergraduate research
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Have higher GPAs
Are more likely to be retained
and to graduate
Are more likely to pursue a
graduate degree
Benefit from the mentorship of
faculty
Engage in more sophisticated
modes of discovery
Improve their oral
communication and data
gathering skills
WSU Undergraduates and
Research
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Since 2004
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167 student presenters have
participated in the WSU
Undergraduate Research
Conference, including:
z 104 Faculty mentors
z 19 Faculty moderators
z 46 Research posters
z 121 Panel participants
20 participants attended the
Michigan Undergraduate Research
Forum (MURF)
16 students have attended the
National Conference on
Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
Opportunities for Undergraduate
Research at Wayne State University
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McNair Scholars Program
Undergraduate Research Grants
WSU Undergraduate Research Conference
Michigan Undergraduate Research Forum (MURF)
National Conference on Undergraduate Research
(NCUR)
McNair Scholars
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The McNair Scholars Program is a Federal TRIO program designed
to provide graduate school preparation and other academic services
to low-income and first-generation students. This program currently
serves 22 WSU students. During summer terms, McNair scholars
conduct academic research and receive individual mentoring from
Wayne State University faculty members.
McNair Scholars
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In Spring 2005, six McNair Scholars graduated, four of whom were
accepted to Ph.D. programs at various research universities around
the country. Two McNair Scholars enrolled in Master’s degree
programs at Wayne State University. Four additional Scholars
recently graduated in the Fall Commencement Ceremony.
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The McNair Scholars Program is coordinated by Henry L. Robinson,
Joseph Baynesan and Phyllis Seals.
WSU Undergraduate Research
Grant Program
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The Undergraduate Research Grant is offered by
the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and
is intended to enhance the opportunities
undergraduate students have to participate in
research and creative activities under the
guidance of faculty members.
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Undergraduates are invited to submit proposals for
research or creative projects sponsored by faculty
and that involve the undergraduate(s) working in
collaboration with a faculty mentor.
OUR funds proposals at a maximum of $3,050
each.
$2,300 is available for the student, either as tuition
remission or stipend.
$750 is available for the faculty mentor.
WSU Annual Undergraduate
Research Conference
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The WSU Annual Undergraduate Research Conference brings
together students and faculty from all disciplines to showcase their
efforts. Students submit proposals for selection as either part of a
panel discussion, poster presentation or in a creative performance.
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The conference gives undergraduate students a sense of what it
means to participate actively in the research mission of the
university. The campus community is invited to celebrate the
fruitful collaboration between faculty and students and to
encourage their continued success.
WSU Annual Undergraduate
Research Conference
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“Music Innovations of Melissa
Roberts”
Performed by Clint Sabon, Mike
Rais, Joe Mcgraw, and Nady
Benyamine; mentored by Professor
Thomas Court
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Chelsea Vanderbusche discusses
her poster with Hillary Ratner,
Dean of the Graduate School
Michigan Undergraduate
Research Forum
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Once a year, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University,
and Wayne State University select ten students to present their
research as posters at the State Capital. Presenters view projects,
meet students from other research institutions, and discuss their
projects with State Legislators.
Michigan Undergraduate
Research Forum
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WSU students have the opportunity to meet
undergraduate researchers from the
University of Michigan and Michigan State
University. They also meet State Senators
such as Hanson Clark and Buzz Thomas.
National Conference on
Undergraduate Research
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The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
was established in 1987 to promote undergraduate research,
scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study. NCUR
sponsors an annual conference and has established a national
network of faculty, students, and administrators. Over 300
colleges and universities participate in the three-day annual
conference.
National Conference on
Undergraduate Research
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In 2005, a group of 13 WSU students, including several McNair
scholars, attended the National Conference on Undergraduate
Research (NCUR) at the Virginia Military Institute.
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For the 2006 NCUR, 30 WSU proposals have been accepted to
the conference in Ashville, North Carolina.
The Future of Undergraduate
Research at Wayne State
University
What’s Next?
z Clearinghouse for Undergraduate Research: a webbased initiative to encourage undergraduate research
across campus, and to provide on-line “want ads” for
student researchers and research opportunities
z Undergraduate Research Journal: an online, studentrun project to showcase undergraduate research
z Undergraduate research and development opportunities
to create research scholarships
z Continued support and promotion of the studentfounded Society of Undergraduate Researchers
Who benefits from
Undergraduate Research?
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The university
The faculty
Our students
WE ALL DO!