The purpose of the program is to provide undergraduate students with a substantial research experience while also assisting faculty to further their research projects, laboratory, library, archival, technological, or other appropriate experience, not simply photocopying transcribing, or filing.
Guidelines Governing the Project
- Faculty wishing to engage such students must file a brief proposal that gives a clear description of the project, a projected timeline, a description of the work the student will do, and an explanation of how the experience will benefit the student academically.
- Proposals are accepted three times a year (summer, fall, spring terms), with specific deadlines each year. Faculty should send proposals to their chairperson at least one week before they are due in the dean's office.
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Summer projects 2009 |
Applications due to chair by March 13, 2009 * Due in Gasson 106 by March 20, 2009 * |
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Fall projects 2009/10 |
Applications due to chair by September 10, 2009 Due in Gasson 106 by September 17, 2009 |
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Spring projects 2009/10 |
Applications due to chair by December 4, 2009 Due in Gasson 106 by December 11, 2009 |
* Summer dates are purposely set early, in response to faculty requests for such dates, in order for students to be aware of awards before making summer commitments. Applications with chair approvals and comments will be accepted afterwards on a rolling basis, but their funding will be limited by the availability, if any, of funds remaining after the first round of awards is made.
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Normally faculty identify a specific student at the time they apply for the Program. If you do not have a specific student in mind, please contact your Department Fellowship Sponsor who may know of an appropriate student. This would be a wonderful opportunity for our best students to prepare for prestigious fellowship competitions. Proposals not identifying specific recipients may be given a lower priority.
Student Requirements
- At least sophomore status
- Be academically strong, typically a 3.4 GPA or better
- View the project as part of their long-term academic development
- Students will earn $9.00 an hour. The hours worked can vary from a total of twenty to two hundred hours per semester, and up to four hundred hours for the summer--does not depend on student financial need. Please remember that no student is allowed to work more than a total of twenty hours per week during the academic year or forty hours per week during the summer. This includes all their URF and non-URF BC jobs. Students should be made aware that work-study grant funds are taken from the work-study allotment until that is depleted.
- Faculty are expected to provide appropriate instruction and supervision for the research assistants. These positions are not to serve as substitute support for students who would ordinarily be supported by grants.
- At the end of the student's employment both faculty member and student will submit an evaluation of the experience to Dean Petri. Highest priority for funding may be given to faculty members and continuing projects who have filed these reports.
Through this program our students can work closely with faculty, develop their research skills, and enhance their undergraduate experience. Although this program does assist faculty, its primary purpose is to engage talented students in meaningful research activity. I urge you to encourage the best students in your department to become involved. This integration of cutting-edge research and undergraduate education can have a significant impact on our students' academic aspirations and career plans.