OU receives enhanced status with Council for Undergraduate Research

OU receives enhanced status with Council for Undergraduate Research
Zeng2016
Dr. Xiangqun Zeng, professor of analytical chemistry, is among many OU researchers who welcome undergraduate research assistants into their labs.

Oakland University has long distinguished itself by championing efforts to create academic research and scholarship experiences for undergraduate students. Now the University has an exciting opportunity to expand an already robust array of investigative opportunities.

 

The Research Office has announced that Oakland has become an enhanced member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) – a national organization of more than 900 higher education institutions that promote and support high-quality, student-faculty collaborations.

 

Oakland’s newly acquired status allows faculty, administrators and students to join the organization at no cost and, more importantly, to receive important information and assistance in creating research and scholarship projects.

 

“OU is already strong in supporting and developing undergraduate researchers,” said Dr. Graeme Harper, dean of the Honors College, founder of the Michigan Center for Undergraduate Research and a CUR Councilor who leads the organization’s initiative on Quality Assurance in Undergraduate Research.

 

“With our new enhanced membership of the Council on Undergraduate Research we have a real opportunity to show our preeminence.”

 

Advantages of individual CUR membership include:

  • research and scholarship development resources;
  • access to periodic publications that share successful models and strategies for undergraduate research and scholarship programs;
  • access to the CUR Undergraduate Researchers Registry, which helps match undergraduate researchers and graduate schools seeking highly accomplished students;
  • access to CUR program mentors;
  • registration discounts for CUR events;
  • the benefits of strong partnerships with award-granting agencies and foundations, and;
  • state, federal and private sector advocacy for undergraduate research and scholarship support.

 

Many within the campus community are looking forward to raising the quality of OU’s academic environment as a result of its enhanced status with CUR. Among the ways they envision this happening is through improved teaching skills and research progress among OU faculty investigators, as well as through improved academic performance and professional advancement on the part of students.

 

“Oakland University prides itself on providing outstanding opportunities for its high-achieving undergraduate students,” said Senior Associate Provost Susan Awbrey.

 

“The expanded CUR status is exciting because it will encourage more students to participate in undergraduate research experiences. Studies show that engagement in research is a ‘high impact practice’ that leads to greater student success.”

 

To learn more about CUR, those interested should visit the organization’s website at cur.org. Those interested in becoming members should visit the new membership page and be sure to select “Oakland University” from the institutions drop down menu.