Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research at CSUSMAcademic Affairs Town HallSeptember 18, 2008

Purpose of Town HallIntroduce Committee on Undergraduate Research (CUGR) and its origins

Begin dialogue about undergraduate research at CSUSMObtain feedback on draft plan

Begin to document faculty/student collaborations in scholarly activity and research at CSUSM

Undergraduate Research that is:

Faculty-driven,Student-centered, and Institutionally-supported

Provides the combination of factors necessary for:

Pedagogical effectiveness, Enhanced learning outcomes, Research productivity, and Research program sustainabilityA Confluence of Essential Components

CSUSM Emphasis on Student and Faculty Engagement in ResearchCampus Mission Statement: Students work closely with a faculty of active scholars and artists whose commitment to sustained excellence in teaching, research, and community partnership enhances student learning. Academic Excellence Strategic Priority: We are committed to the success of students by encouraging their intellectual engagement and by supporting the teaching, research, and creative activities of a stellar faculty.Academic Affairs Goal: Support faculty research and creative activity to create a community of scholars that collaborates with a community of learners.

CUR Institute: Institutionalizing Undergraduate ResearchFebruary 2008 - CSUSM participated in CUR Institute for Institutionalizing Undergraduate ResearchSponsored by National Science FoundationFor institutions without a tradition or culture of campus-wide engagement in undergraduate researchCompetitive applicationOne of two CSU campuses selected

Goals of CUR InstituteAssist institutions to:Articulate goals for institutionalizing undergraduate research Develop strategies to achieve these goals on their campuses

Develop communities of scholars among participating campuses to build a culture that supports undergraduate research

CSUSM Team for CUR InstituteA diverse disciplinary groupActive researchers and mentors of undergraduate students in researchSuccess at securing external research and training grants

Chuck De Leone (Physics Department Chair)George Vourlitis (Biological Sciences faculty)Keith Trujillo (Psychology faculty; Associate Director of the Office of Biomedical Research)Gerardo Gonzalez (Dean/AVP for Graduate Studies & Research)

Program for the CUR InstitutePlenary lectures presented by facilitators

Individual team meetings with CUR mentors Jeff Marshall, Cal Poly PomonaCSUSM team reflected on current status of undergraduate research at CSUSM Drafted a mission statement, goals, and action plan for undergraduate research at CSUSM

CUR Institute Follow-up ActivitiesApril 2008 - Convened CSUSM Committee on Undergraduate Research (CUGR)June 2008 - National CUR conference Poster presentation on CSUSM Draft PlanNovember 2008 - CSU Conference on Institutionalizing Undergraduate researchApril 2009 - CUR Dialogues MeetingSpring 2009 - Site visit from CUR liaisonTo discuss progress on CSUSM initiative

Current Composition of CUGRCUGR serves as steering committee to promote broader faculty participation in student-faculty researchPeter Arnade (History)Bonnie Bade & Konane Martinez (Anthropology)Denise Boren (Nursing)Eliza Bigham (Human Development)Chuck De Leone (Physics)Ann Fiegen (Library)James Hamerly (Business)Kathy Norman (Education)Arcela Nuez-Alvarez (National Latino Research Center)Martha Stoddard-Holmes (Literature & Writing)Keith Trujillo (Psychology)George Vourlitis (Biological Sciences)Gerardo Gonzlez (Graduate Studies & Research)

Draft Plan: Short-term GoalsConduct an inventory of undergraduate research Assess the strengths and gaps for developing a campus undergraduate research program and a research-supportive curriculum

Identify core faculty committed to mentoring undergraduate students in research and/or integrating undergraduate research in the curriculum

Inform and foster dialogue among faculty and students about the benefits of undergraduate research

Establish an institutional priority for undergraduate research

Draft Plan: Intermediate GoalsDevelop a system to link faculty and undergraduate students in research activities

Strengthen campus administrative and organizational infrastructure for faculty-mentored undergraduate student researche.g., establish a centralized program to coordinate activities, including campus-wide student symposia and seminars

Draft Plan: Intermediate GoalsIdentify external resources to support undergraduate research Help faculty submit external grant proposals; obtain resources; secure equipment/facilities

Implement a research-supportive undergraduate curriculum

Recognize faculty and student research through celebration of achievements

Initiate assessment of undergraduate research outcomes via faculty consultation

Draft Plan: Long-term GoalsMarshal internal resources and administrative support to sustain undergraduate researche.g., faculty professional development and research facilities

Provide stipends, travel grants, and fellowships for undergraduate students to conduct supervised research

Create summer research programs for undergraduate students to collaborate on faculty-mentored research projects

Draft Plan: Long-term GoalsClarify faculty retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines to advance undergraduate research

Conduct ongoing assessment of undergraduate research outcomes

Undergraduate Research that is:

Faculty-driven,Student-centered, and Institutionally-supported

Provides the combination of factors necessary for:

Pedagogical effectiveness, Enhanced learning outcomes, Research productivity, and Research program sustainabilityA Confluence of Essential Components

Questions?Feedback on draft plan?

Examples of faculty/student collaboration in scholarly activity and research?

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