SURP Proposals

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 policy changes for WCU, the 2020 Summer Research Scholar Program has been canceled for this summer.

What is the Summer Research Scholar Program:

This is a Brinson Honors College-sponsored undergraduate research program offered to invited in-coming freshmen Brinson Honors College students. It is an immersive 2-week research experience, which is supported by student enrollment in a hybrid 3-credit hour seminar course with Honors designation, USI - 190: Introduction to Research. The course will run from June 1, 2020 - August 7, 2020.

When is the program held on campus:

The Summer Research Scholars program will be held concurrently and as part of the overall summer program. It runs for two weeks, and dates for 2020 are June 15 - 26, 2020.

How do I participate:

The Summer Research Scholars will be invited to apply and participate based on their application to Western Carolina and overall academic profile. Summer scholars will be new, incoming WCU first-year students in the fall 2020 semester.

Summer scholars will make preferences about their participating research groups at the time of their enrollment in the program; and the faculty members will help assign the scholars to the existing teams based on academic interests and student preference.

It is highly encouraged that Summer Research Scholars sign up and attend the earliest FYIC Summer Orientation session. Please see New Student Orientation information (dates are still being finalized).

Every participating Summer Scholar will need to complete a WCU Assumption of Risk and Release/Waiver of Claims. If a participant will be under the age of 18 during their participation in the program they must have a parent or legal-guardian's signature in addition to their own. 

SURP 2 week schedule for Summer Scholars:

• Students arrive June 14, 2020 and check in to the residence hall (time and location still being finalized for 2020).
• SURP dates for Summer Scholars on-campus experience will be June 15 - 26, 2020
• Check out of the residence hall at the end of the day on the last day of the 2-week on-campus experience (June 26, 2020).
• Students will be required to enroll in a 3-credit hour first year seminar with Honors designation. Hybrid course runs from June 1 - August 7, 2020.Tuition and fees apply. Final tuition rates for Summer 2020 are being updated.
• Applications accepted by invitation only, and fees do apply.

What are the faculty expectations:

Faculty members who have identified a student with whom they wish to work for the summer will collaborate with the student as he/she prepares the proposal. The faculty member will also submit a letter as part of the application. Faculty members selected must be willing to commit to being available during the entire 8-week time period over the summer. Mentorship of undergraduate research varies widely by discipline, but it is expected that faculty mentors will meet with the student one-on-one, face-to-face for some time each week during the experience. Other mentorship activities will vary by discipline and professional requirements (e.g. lab students must not be allowed to work alone in lab) and are at the discretion of the faculty mentor. 

The SURP program will also include several group activities and outings. This will include some local travel. These activities and outings are generally for the benefit of the students; however faculty mentors are invited to participate in all program activities. More information on outings and activities will be provided after selection of the participating teams. The SURP program will host a meet and greet orientation session at the conclusion of the spring 2020 semester to discuss expectations in greater detail. If a faculty member has an unavoidable conflict with the summer schedule for a brief time period, those time restrictions should be provided in the application materials (in the faculty letter) so that those restrictions can be taken into account at the time the awards are made.

Faculty Stipend & Supply Budget:

• Earn a mentor honorarium, which is being finalized for 2020, but will range between $1,000 - $3,000.
• Each team will have a $100 budget for supplies, coordinated through the Brinson Honors College.

Work with a WCU Summer Research Scholar:

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 policy changes for WCU, the 2020 Summer Research Scholar Program has been canceled for this summer.

For a two-week time period each SURP student will be partnered with a new incoming WCU first year Brinson Honors College student (our research scholars). In this mentorship role, the SURP student will help the summer research scholar to learn more about the facilities and amenities for research at WCU. Undergraduates will work with their faculty mentor to plan for the work of the research scholars, and undergraduates will have significant supervision and mentoring responsibilities for these new students during this time. It is expected that faculty members selected as part of the program will also work with the summer research scholar for a 2-week period. The summer research scholars will be assigned to teams based on academic interest, later in the spring term. Faculty members will have a role in how the summer research scholars are selected. Faculty members should expect to be more available (not less) during these two weeks as compared to other weeks of the program. Faculty members are responsible for assembling a reading list for research scholars and to be intentional in planning their time on campus.

After SURP:

Additionally, faculty mentors will help prepare their summer research students to apply to and participate in an appropriate undergraduate research conference in the fall semester. This can be discipline specific and/or those promoted by WCU. SURP Leadership will periodically request updates, via Qualtrics, from SURP faculty on the progress of their research endeavors and of the SURP student.