Institutionalizing Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research at CSUSMat CSUSM

Academic Affairs Town HallSeptember 18, 2008

Purpose of Town HallPurpose of Town Hall

Introduce Committee on Undergraduate Research (CUGR) and its origins

Begin dialogue about undergraduate research at CSUSM◦ Obtain 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 sustainability

A Confluence of Essential

Components

CSUSMCSUSM Emphasis on Student Emphasis on Student and Faculty Engagement in and Faculty Engagement in ResearchResearchCampus 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: CUR Institute: “Institutionalizing “Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research”Undergraduate Research”

February 2008 - CSUSM participated in CUR Institute for Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research◦ Sponsored by National Science

Foundation◦ For institutions without a tradition or

culture of campus-wide engagement in undergraduate research

◦ Competitive application◦ One of two CSU campuses selected

GoalsGoals of CUR Institute of CUR Institute

Assist 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 InstituteCSUSM Team for CUR Institute

A 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)

ProgramProgram for the CUR Institute for the CUR Institute

Plenary lectures presented by facilitators

Individual team meetings with CUR mentors ◦ Jeff Marshall, Cal Poly Pomona◦ CSUSM 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 CUR Institute Follow-up ActivitiesActivitiesApril 2008 - Convened CSUSM

Committee on Undergraduate Research (CUGR)

June 2008 - National CUR conference ◦ Poster presentation on CSUSM Draft Plan

November 2008 - CSU Conference on Institutionalizing Undergraduate research

April 2009 - CUR Dialogues MeetingSpring 2009 - Site visit from CUR liaison

◦ To discuss progress on CSUSM initiative

Current Composition of CUGRCurrent Composition of CUGRCUGR serves as steering committee to promote

broader faculty participation in student-faculty research◦ Peter 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 Nuñez-Alvarez (National Latino Research Center)◦ Martha Stoddard-Holmes (Literature & Writing)◦ Keith Trujillo (Psychology)◦ George Vourlitis (Biological Sciences)◦ Gerardo González (Graduate Studies & Research)

Draft Plan: Short-term GoalsDraft Plan: Short-term Goals• Conduct 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 GoalsDraft Plan: Intermediate Goals

Develop a system to link faculty and undergraduate students in research activities

Strengthen campus administrative and organizational infrastructure for faculty-mentored undergraduate student research◦ e.g., establish a centralized program to

coordinate activities, including campus-wide student symposia and seminars

Draft Plan: Intermediate GoalsDraft Plan: Intermediate Goals Identify 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 GoalsDraft Plan: Long-term Goals

Marshal internal resources and administrative support to sustain undergraduate research◦ e.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 GoalsDraft Plan: Long-term Goals

Clarify 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 sustainability

A Confluence of Essential

Components

Questions?Questions?Feedback on draft plan?

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