CUR 2002 Workshop Report

Session Title:  Promoting Undergraduate Research Across Disciplines:
                           IUPUI UROP and the Minority Research Scholars Program

Presenters:     Marchusa A. Huff, DNS, RN, Director, IUPUI Minority Research Scholars 
                                Program and Associate Professor, IU School of Nursing at Indianapolis, Indiana
                        Kathryn Wilson, PhD, Director, IUPUI Undergraduate Research Opportunity 
                                Program and Associate Dean for Research, IUPUI School of Science
                                Indianapolis, Indiana

Date:                Friday, June 21, 2002, Connecticut College, New London, CT

Session Objectives:

1. Explain the campus-wide undergraduate research program (UROP) and related programs, including overview of the populations involved.
2. Minority Research Scholars Program (MRSP). Overview of this case study that is especially effective in spreading undergraduate research to programs outside of science (as well as within science) and to involve faculty in disciplines across the campus. MRSP is also an example of successful approach to retention minorities and special populations.

A. Introduction/background:
IUPUI Campus. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, within walking distance of the state government center and the heart of downtown. Over 27, 000 students register for classes each year in 21 schools or divisions - undergraduate through professional. Students may select from 180-degree programs that award Indiana University or Purdue University degrees. The campus is home to many professional schools including the IU Medical School, Law School, School of Dentistry, and School of Nursing. There are more than 1,300 full-time faculty. In recent years, the student population has become younger and more students are enrolled full-time. The campus is the home of Internet 2.

B. IUPUI Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).
This is a campus wide program that initially involved the sciences. In establishing the definition of "Research" which the program uses, it was purposefully a broad definition to include all faculty and students. Program motto: participate to learn. It provides the motivation and justification for the program. The focus is on learning; the process of doing research is a valuable component of the program. All research projects require a faculty mentor who is involved from the writing of the proposal through completion. The campus is considering establishing a "Center for Research and Learning".

Funding sources: campus budget, Honors Program, individual schools, grants, and the Graduate School (which provides some funding for conferences). 

Program information: UROP provides funding for student-centered research, which is mentored, one-on-one, by IUPUI faculty members. Students are encouraged to participate as freshmen or as early as possible. Individual projects may receive up to $2,500 in project and research travel funds. Up to $1200 within that $2500 may be in the form of a stipend. 
Separate funding is available for travel grants of up to $1000 to participate in conferences and symposia. (Travel expenses can be part of the project funding or conference travel may be awarded the separate travel grant.) Students have opportunities to present work at local symposia (in the summer and spring) plus NCUR and they are required to present their work.

A newer program feature is the Research Portfolio which includes: written report, copies of publications, faculty letter, copies of certificates of participation, evidence that five credits of research are completed, sources of support, other materials. This component is very valuable.

Recognition components (in addition to the symposia):
Participants receive a transcript notation, which appears near the GPA on the Registrar's transcript.
Awards are made for best papers, research excellence awards for schools, Chancellors' Award to a graduating senior for Outstanding Research. These awards provide visibility for program and additional recognition and motivation for the students and faculty.

Challenges for UROP:

1. Professionally oriented faculty who do not perceive mentoring of undergraduates on research projects as a positive experience (path to success: identify as recruiting program); 
2. The campus has little or no history of faculty working with undergraduates on research; 
3. Commuter campus (students face constraints of balancing employment/school/ family/commute).
4. Faculty ask "Why Mentor?" - concerns: time, resources, frustrating, unprepared ness
   Answer: UROP provides resources, workshops, faculty support summer/Honors, and supplements to federal grants.

UROP seeks to respond to common misperceptions on an individual basis and through promoting awareness of successful experiences. It is critical to build visibility on campus through workshops, success stories/examples.

C. Minority Research Scholars Program
Program Objective: increase the recruitment, retention and graduation rates of talented minority students from Indiana high schools into science based careers and related fields.

History:
Major commitment from deans helped establish the program, which initially focused on academically talented students from Indianapolis Public Schools. Over time the program has become broader based and currently involves the schools of science, engineering and technology, nursing, physical education, allied health, social work, and dentistry.

Unique program features: four-year, full-tuition and fees year round (including summer) program that begins in the freshman year. It builds on the student's project over four years. Originally difficult to find faculty mentors - now faculty members proactively seek participants. The program provides individual enrichment and preparation for graduate school. 

This program introduces freshman scholars to hands-on research and the use of independent study to custom design curriculum for introductory research methods. There is a gradual increase of research activity and sophistication over three years and integration of research in the academic major. Most majors have a senior research project which participants also complete.

Student and mentor are matched at the beginning of the program. There is a commitment to student; the faculty mentor acts as academic advisor and guides the selection and development of research project.

Financial support for the student consists of full-tuition and lab fees plus a book stipend ($500 per semester); equipment and supplies to assist mentor.

Selection of students: high school GPA, top half of class, math and science grades "B" or above; interview; SAT 1000 or ACT 21, recent graduate of high school in the state of Indiana
Must maintain 3.0 GPA, must meet with mentor at least once a week. Written progress reports. Required presentation.

Retention strategies: one-on-one mentoring and faculty direction with research projects, academic tutorial assistance as needed, interaction with other scholars on a regular basis and, involve parents or guardians. Scholars meet in a combined group each month with the director. Monthly meetings include feed back on individual progress and problem resolution, speakers including minority students who have been successful in graduate school, sessions on how to give write an abstract, give an oral and/or poster presentation and social gatherings. 

Accomplishments: Graduates were featured in national publications. (Black Issues in Higher Education, June 7, 2001) Examples of specific student research projects were given.

Questions:
Q: What percent of recruitment of minority students in program and on campus? Affected by this program?
A: The real change is in improved upper division retention of minority students. Retention rate in the program is 95% and 4-year graduation rate is 90%. Overall retention at IUPUI is 97%.

Q: Where do you get the money? How much?
A: Just under $200,000. The money attracts faculty attention. Graduate school provides some support, majority from institutional dollars. Support is viewed as recruitment/retention tool. Faculty project grants provide some funds as well. Have not yet explored gift funding (Nursing has).

Q: I'm from private school and we can't afford to provide full-tuition. Is that the critical component?
A: No. The mentoring relationship and connections with other students are the critical components.

Q: Do you as directors of the program have any input into mentors? Some are not the best choice.
A: Yes. 

Q: I would suggest that you have professional societies recognize and honor students in the program. These societies have student chapters.

Q: How can faculty reflect mentoring activities in promotion materials?
A: Learning to do so effectively is a key component in attracting faculty to serve as mentors.