Topics
Scheduling and Sessions.
Can I request a specific presentation date and time?
Please Note: The NCUR 2020 Host Committee is not able to accommodate requests for specific presentation dates or times. We do encourage participants to attend all 2.5 days of the conference as it is an excellent opportunity to see, hear, and support fellow researchers and their presentations. Also, there are a number of special events planned throughout the conference. We hope you’ll want to participate and enjoy these added experiences.
When registering for the conference, please understand that your presentation may be scheduled for any date and time between 9:00am on Thursday, March 26, 2020 and noon on Saturday, March 28, 2020.
What are the mentor's responsibilities? Do they need to apply, as well? Are they required to pay a fee even if they aren't going with the applicant? My mentor is unfamiliar with NCUR, so I would like to know as much as possible so I may prepare here.
The mentor does not need to go to NCUR with the student. However, if the mentor attends NCUR, then he or she will need to register for the conference.
How do I make sure I don't miss the opening and closing ceremonies?
There are plenty of seats in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse where all plenaries and the opening and closing ceremonies will be held. Show up early for the best seats!
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NCUR Account Creation/Log In
I'm not receiving e-mails from NCUR 2020. What should I do?
Please add ncur2020@montana.edu to your contact list to avoid missing important emails from NCUR about your abstract and your submission status! You will be notified by e-mail confirming submission of your abstract, and you will receive notification of your abstract submission status in late January 2020. If you do not receive either of those notifications, be sure to check your email account's SPAM folder. It is also possible that you misspelled your email when you submitted your abstract, which means you will not receive any emails in return. You can log back in to the system and check the status of your abstract. Email ncur2020@montana.edu with questions or corrections to your email address.
Do co-presenter students use the presenter's PIN number when they register?
Yes, presenters and co-presenters use the same PIN. Co-presenters are carbon copied on the acceptance email.
How do I receive a Presenter Identification Number (PIN) if I am a co-presenter?
If you are a group or co-presenter, your PIN was emailed to the primary presenter or the person who submitted your abstract, as well as the faculty advisor, upon notification of acceptance. You should contact that person to obtain your PIN. Note that there is one PIN per accepted abstract and that PIN applies to all presenters of a given abstract.
May faculty advisors and mentors present with their student advisees at NCUR?
No. NCUR is a presentation opportunity for undergraduate research students only. The only avenue for faculty presentation at NCUR is through the Faculty Administrator Network (FAN) sessions.
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Abstract Submission/Revision/Withdrawal
What is the application process for students who want to apply to NCUR 2020?
A link to the abstract submission page is listed on the NCUR 2020 webpage. Abstracts must be submitted by December 6, 2019, but we encourage you to submit early. Abstracts will be reviewed between December 6, 2019, and late January, 2020. You will receive notification in late January if your abstract was accepted.
Does my project need to be completed before I present it?
Projects do not have to be completed at the time of submission. If your project hasn't been complete prior to the abstract submission deadline, you can use phrases such as "I anticipate that the results will be...". Please summarize what has been done so far, and what you hope to finish by the time of the conference.
Can we submit already published or formerly presented work?
Yes, NCUR allows students to submit previously published or previously presented work during abstract submission.
How do you select abstracts?
Abstracts are reviewed for general adherence to disciplinary standards, however there is no specific rubric due to the variety of abstracts reviewed. Acceptance rates are historically above 90% so we do not think rejected abstracts should be a huge problem.
Can I present research at NCUR 2020 that was recently presented at a state or local conference?
You can present material at NCUR 2020 that was presented elsewhere.
I am not sure what to choose for the field of study. Can you help?
Please read the entire list of fields before choosing the most appropriate for your research. For example, in addition to general engineering, there are numerous specific disciplines of engineering included throughout the list that you should use if applicable. If concerns remain, we suggest you discuss the appropriate field with your mentor(s).
Is there a format for abstract submissions? Is there a length restriction?
Yes. There is a 300-word length restriction. Complete instructions and formatting information are provided on the abstract submission page.
Can I attach a table and graph to my abstract?
No. You should only include text in the abstract. The abstract can summarize the table and graph, but only text can be submitted.
In our abstract there are several references that we have used. We were wondering if you would like a reference page included? If so, will that be counted against us in the word requirement?
You can leave the references out of the abstract to save space. These can be included in the formal poster.
Can I mail or fax in my abstract?
No. All abstracts must be submitted using the abstract submission page. If your abstract contains special characters that cannot be typed into the form, you may include a link to a Web version of your abstract.
The research I wish to present was done over the summer at an independent research laboratory and is not one of the institutions listed. How should I submit my abstract?
List the school you are enrolled in as your institution. You should mention the host facility in your abstract and presentation.
My research mentor is an MD/PhD student completing doctoral research. Does this person qualify as my faculty mentor? Or should I list the name of the faculty member who runs the lab I work in?
The faculty member who runs the lab, not a MD/PhD student, should be listed as the mentor.
Is there a completion date requirement for a poster submission? We have a few projects that may be worthy of submission, but they will not be completed until March.
The project does not have to be completed at the time of submission of the abstract.
If my project has not been completed prior to the abstract submission deadline, should I just indicate a phrase such as, "I anticipate that the results will be..."?
Such phrases are fine. Just summarize what has been done so far, and what you hope to finish by the time of the conference.
Can I present a paper in Spanish from a course on Spanish or Latin American literatures?
Yes. A presentation can be given in Spanish, but the abstract should be written in English. Please indicate in your abstract that the talk will be given in Spanish so attendees will know.
Should I write my abstract for nonscientists or for scientists in my field? In other words, should I assume that the reviewer is familiar with relevant terminology?
Your abstract will be reviewed by faculty with expertise in your field. After your abstract is accepted, however, you might plan your presentation for those audience members who don’t have the depth of knowledge and expertise you have developed throughout your research experience. Some may attend your presentation because they are genuinely interested in learning about the topic and your research!
A student would like to submit an abstract and also display artwork as part of the visual arts presentation. If all is accepted, would the student have to register twice and pay twice?
No. A student only needs to register once.
Can students submit original creative work for presentation at NCUR 2020? If so, are there special guidelines for these submissions?
Yes. NCUR provides a welcoming forum for presenting original work in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts. Creative Product subject areas listed in the Abstract Submission site are as follows: Dance Performance, Music Performance, Poetry and Creative Writing, Theatre/Drama Performance, and Visual Arts. There are no special guidelines for these submissions and you will be prompted to supplement your abstract submission with slides or other supporting materials. Visual Arts students whose abstracts are accepted will be informed about shipping their work in advance for inclusion in the NCUR 2020 Gallery Exhibition. The traditional formats of poster and oral presentation remain options for presenting creative products.
Can I revise my abstract once it is submitted?
No. Depending on the outcome of the review process, you may be asked to revise after the review. That information will be shared upon abstract decision notification.
I submitted my abstract without consulting my faculty mentor or research coordinator in advance. Can my abstract be withdrawn? Once I have their approval, will I be able to resubmit before the deadline?
You, the student, must submit a formal request for withdrawing your abstract via email to ncur2020@montana.edu. Requests to withdraw abstracts that are made by faculty mentor(s) or a research coordinator will not be honored. You can re-submit an abstract prior to the December 6, 2019, deadline. You are allowed two active abstracts on the abstract submission page.
How selective is NCUR? I would like to know the approximate percent of abstracts accepted in recent years to help demonstrate the high quality of work presented at NCUR to administrators at my university.
Typically 80-90% of the abstracts submitted are accepted each year.
How can I find out which abstracts were accepted for each school?
After the review process is complete, a list of accepted abstracts by school will be available on this website.
Once my abstract is accepted, is there a deadline for withdrawing my abstract prior to the conference?
There is no formal deadline for withdrawing your abstract. If you plan to withdraw, please let us know as soon as you can so we can make adjustments to the schedule. Please email ncur2020@montana.edu with your request to withdraw your abstract.
Are students who attend two-year colleges allowed to present at NCUR 2020?
Yes.
Can a university submit more than one abstract?
Yes. Most universities send multiple students who each author a poster or give a presentation.
Do faculty members/advisors have to accompany student presenters to the conference?
No. Students usually travel as part of a group from a school. Let us know if you're coming on your own. We can help connect you with another school's group if you wish.
Is a faculty letter of recommendation required to be considered for NCUR?
No. It is assumed that when the faculty mentor’s contact information is provided that they approve of the submission. When the abstract is submitted, the faculty mentor will receive an e-mail indicating the submission.
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Eligibility to Submit/Present at NCUR 2020
Would a student graduating in December 2019 be eligible to participate?
Yes, as long as the research was performed while you were an undergraduate. You may want to check with your university to be sure they can cover your travel costs if you are no longer a student.
Can I submit an abstract if I am no longer a college student?
Yes, if the research was done when you were an undergraduate student.
Are international students eligible to attend this event?
Yes, international students are eligible to attend.
Can a university submit more than one application?
Yes, most universities send multiple students who each author a poster or give a presentation.
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Presentation Format Guidelines
What are the Presentation Format Guidelines?
Please visit the Session Guidelines pages found on this NCUR website.
Is there a specific template we should use for the posters at NCUR?
You can use any template you want. It must meet the size requirements posted on the NCUR 202 Poster Presentations page. Consult with your school's Undergraduate Research Coordinator and your Faculty Mentor.
Can a student give both an oral and poster presentation?
You can if it is on different data or results. Typically the same results are not presented twice at the same conference.
If I am giving an Oral Presentation, is a PowerPoint mandatory? And is it ok if I go under the 15 minutes time allotted before opening it up for questions?
No, you do not have to use PowerPoint. The 15 minutes is a maximum time; you can certainly take less time.
My research outcome and focus changed from my original abstract and now they are no longer in line. Is it possible to submit a new, updated abstract? My topic hasn't changed, just my treatment and focus on it through my literature analysis.
This happens quite often, so do not worry about it. It is too late to change the abstract, but you can address the changes with your poster or presentation.
For a student in the Visual Arts session, can you please clarify just what is expected beyond the artwork itself? Should students prepare a 15-minute oral presentation too? Are visual arts student given a specific time and day presentation slot?
Yes, you will give a 15-minute presentation time slot just like all other presenters. The times will be announced when the schedule is posted.
How will NCUR 2020 manage the acceptance and return of mailed-in artwork?
Please visit the Visual Arts Presentations page on this NCUR website for guidelines on managing and shipping of mailed-in artwork. It is strongly suggested that you insure your shipment as neither NCUR nor Montana State University will be responsible for any damages of items sent to and from the NCUR 2020 conference.
For students presenting posters, can they mail them in advance rather than trying to take them on a plane? Thank you.
We do not have space to store posters, but you should check to see if you can mail the posters to your hotel.
What, if any, is the dress code for student presenters?
There is not a dress code, but good advice would be to dress casual and professional. You do not need to be as formal as wearing a suit and tie or dress. But sweats or torn jeans would not be appropriate. Also, a tip to the wise: Wear sensible shoes and check the local weather.
May parents attend their student's presentation? If so, do they need to register for the conference?
As a general rule, all persons wishing to attend the conference must register and pay for participation. We will make an exception to this rule for parents who wish to attend their student’s presentation. Parents must check in at registration tables during the registration hours and can pick up their Visitor Pass at that time. This pass allows them to attend the one session where their child is presenting. This pass is not valid for lunches, dinner, speakers or tours, which are limited to paid conference participants.
Will there be any form of poster session judging and/or awards given out to participants who excel in their given session?
No, there will not be awards at NCUR. Having your abstract accepted for presentation is itself an award.
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Registration/Costs
All NCUR attendees must register individually. Abstracts are tied to student registrations.
All faculty and staff accompanying students must register individually.
Individual registrants can choose to pay either with their own personal credit cards (Visa, MC, or American Express) or select "Invoice My Institution" and provide contact information for the coordinator or other responsible payee.
If registrants select the "Invoice My Institution" option, the conference coordinators identified will receive an email invoice listing everyone who registered under their name. Conference coordinators will have two options to pay as indicated in the invoice; by check sent via USPS or by credit card (Visa, MC, or American Express) via a link to our online secure site.
Registration fees include participation in all days of the conference and breakfast and lunch March 26-28. Not included in the registration fees are dinners, incidental expenses, hotel costs, or excursion costs.
What are the cancellation policies for the conference?
We are currently working on a process to issue refunds to those who have paid their NCUR 2020 registration fees. Pursuant to the email sent by CUR on Wednesday, March 11th, detailed information regarding refunds will be posted on the website by Tuesday, March 17th. Thank you for your patience as we work through all the aspects of the cancellation.
Can I mail or fax in the conference registration form?
No. Registration will be processed through our website using an online process only. Online registration will be available late January through March 1, 2020. Conference registration fees may be paid using credit card, check, or University purchase order.
If I am a co-presenter and someone else has submitted the abstract, do I still need to register for NCUR?
Yes. All presenters and co-presenters must register for NCUR 2020 in order to attend and present.
If we fail to register before March 1, then are we automatically out of the conference?
You may register on site at the conference, at a higher cost.
How can we notify NCUR if we are unable to come?
If you cannot attend, please contact us as soon as possible at ncur2020@montana.edu.
Is there any requirement that the student, her or his adviser, or the college be a member of CUR in order for the student to present at NCUR?
No, there is not a CUR membership requirement for anyone on the abstract to submit or attend NCUR.
May parents attend their student's presentation? If so, do they need to register for the conference?
As a general rule, all persons wishing to attend the conference must register and pay for participation. We will make an exception to this rule for parents who wish to attend their student’s presentation. Parents must check in at registration tables during the registration hours, and can pick up their Visitor Pass at that time. This pass allows them to attend the one session where their child is presenting. This pass is not valid for lunches, dinner, speakers or tours, which are limited to paid conference participants.
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How Safe is Bozeman?
Montana State University, located in Bozeman, Montana, is a community recognized for its safety. Montana is well below the national average for violent crime, and Bozeman is among the safest cities in the state. Petty crime is generally low, but as with traveling anywhere, a certain amount of caution should always be maintained, especially at night.
Bozeman is a mountain town (elevation 4700 feet) which will get you close to nature, so some precautions are in order. It's high enough that some visitors might experience altitude sickness or other effects. Alcohol at elevation can be more-than-usually intoxicating, and the combination of dry western air, altitude, and strong sunlight can be quickly dehydrating. Drink plenty of water, bring lip balm, and consider sunscreen. Be cautious around wildlife. Don't approach bears or moose should you encounter any on the trails around town or on campus. Finally, expect rapidly changing weather and pack for both dry warm and wet cold days, as temperatures in late March can start below freezing and reach the low 60s. Try not to be without a water-resistant jacket with a hood or hat, even on days that look sunny and warm.
MSU is committed to the safety of NCUR participants. More details about safety on MSU’s campus can be found at http://www.montana.edu/reports/security.pdf and http://www.montana.edu/police/.
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Lodging and Transportation
Where do the buses pick up from?
This is to be determined but if you are staying in any of the four main clusters of hotel on this map, then you'll have transport close by this area.
As hotel, shuttle, and airport transportation details become available, the Travel Information pages will be updated.
Will there be any kind of child care services available while at the conference?
Although NCUR 2020 cannot offer child care we recommend Dino Drop-in Daycare locations near campus (https://www.dinodropin.com/). Well behaved children are welcome to attend sessions with a parent or guardian. Back to topics
Dining at the Conference
Are meals provided at the conference?
The conference registration fee includes breakfast and lunch on campus for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. (Your hotel will likely also have a breakfast.) Dinner will be on your own; see the Dining Guide under Travel Information for ideas close to your hotel and around town.
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Typical Weather in Bozeman in Late March
Bozeman at the end of March typically experiences highs from 40 to 50 degrees F, rarely exceeding 60. Low temperatures are typically in the 20s. Precipitation is not unusual but frequently occurs as snowfall rather than rain; warmer temperatures usually bring drier conditions. Southwest Montana sees lots of sunny days, so long as major weather systems aren't moving through. Except during storms, there is typically little wind. Visitors from the midwest, south, and east are usually most surprised by Montana's dry western air -- relative humidity tends to stay low (under 40 percent) except during precipitation. Because of the dry air and high altitude, the sun is very powerful, making 50 degrees feel like the mid-60s in calm air.
Pack for two seasons, with a jacket that will keep you warm in snowfall and 30 degrees, and warm shoes, but also bring something for warm sunny spring days.