SEP/URO Faculty Information

Student Selection

SEP/URO is offered to all first year SEP students through the living learning housing option. It is limited to SEP students. Students will self select to participate based on written description of the program. There will also be an opportunity for staff to recruit and screen students during Summer Orientation. Students will be assigned a faculty sponsor based on interest and major. Since this is a small community and there are time constraints, SEP staff will match students with a faculty sponsor. There may be opportunity for faculty to participate in this process in August.

Contract of Commitment

Students will sign an agreed upon contract that outlines the numbers of hours they are expected to work, and other guidelines for the program. Faculty sponsors will be required to sign student's contract.

Bi-weekly/Log Timesheets

Students will be monitored by bi-weekly timesheets. Faculty sponsors or their designee will be expected to sign these sheets. This system will help to emphasize the work relationship of the experience. If students are receiving independent study credit, these timesheets will help with that process.

Mid-Term Progress Report

We ask that you submit a progress report on your student each semester. You will be notified when this report is due and a form will be sent.

Term Project

Students are expected to complete a term project that results in a poster session at the Spring Research Symposium. The fall project can be an abstract about the research and the Spring project, a poster, or an oral presentation. Faculty sponsors are responsible for assigning and guiding their students through the project. SEP/URO staff will provide workshop sessions on aspects of this requirement.

Evaluation

Faculty sponsors will be asked to participate in an evaluation process. This feedback will cover such things like:

Research Performance

  • How well did the student perform research tasks
  • How well did they attend
  • How well did they follow through on assignments

Abstract/Poster/Oral Presentation

  • Quality of Work
  • Understanding of Project

Participation in other URO activities, workshops

  • Level of participation
  • Attendance
  • Completion of program
  • Journal

Supplementary Research Funding

Faculty sponsors will be awarded $300 funding to cover supplies, materials, small equipment, copying, travel, etc. In addition, faculty are eligible to apply for additional funding through OARS.

Academic Credit

Independent study credit is an option we encourage faculty to offer. At Michigan, students receive one credit hour for each three hours worked per week. Please indicate if this is an option on the faculty sponsor form. We strongly encourage this as on incentive for students.

Faculty Sponsor Q&A

What is my role as a faculty sponsor?

  • Engage the student in your research activities while getting assistance with your research.
  • Sign student contract.
  • Assist with student training, provide background readings/info.
  • Meet with students regularly-at least bi-weekly.
  • Monitor work hours; sign timesheets.
  • Evaluate student on her research performance at the end of each semester.
  • Provide student research with a mid-term progress report.

What kind of research assistance to student participants can I expect URO to provide?

  • URO staff will provide training through bi-weekly workshops covering topics...time management, computer skills, and basic research techniques and methodology. The library has committed to supporting students in this community; students will also receive one to one monitoring and guidance.
  • Travel funds to send students to present research at professional meetings, visit archives or other research sites.

Who are the URO staff and how can they help me?

  • The URO staff are the SEP Coordinators, Symmes Residence Hall Director and the Assoc. Dean of Students. Together they will serve as principal contacts for these students. As part of SEP, URO students will follow all SEP guidelines. (See website at .........).
  • You should contact one of these individuals for any of the following reasons:
    • Can't contact your student
    • Student not showing up on a regular basis
    • Student's performance not meeting expectations
    • Having communication problems, attitude problems, etc.
    • Serious concerns that involve confidentiality, or concerns about the program contact the Associate Dean.

Does URO provide funds to faculty/to students?

  • Faculty sponsors will be awarded $300 to support research expenses like materials, supplies, small equipment, copying, etc. Faculty are also eligible to apply for funds from OARS.