This document discusses the importance of encouraging undergraduate research at Dixie State University. It advocates for faculty from all disciplines to commit to advancing hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging creativity, and promoting engagement for students and other faculty members. It notes that research and innovation can occur in any discipline and that partnerships with organizations like the Council on Undergraduate Research can help build UR practices into the curriculum. It provides examples of funding opportunities and prominent UR programs at other universities to showcase additional opportunities undergraduate research can provide students.

1. Actively Advocating
for Undergraduate Research
Purpose: To inform faculty from all academic disciplines of the significance of encouraging undergraduate
research and to encourage involvement in the Undergraduate Research endeavors at Dixie State University.
Instructors must commit to advancing hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging creativity, and
promoting engagement for students and other faculty members.
Scope: Research and innovation can be accomplished in any discipline, including Fine Arts, Humanities,
Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Agriculture, Psychology, and all other disciplines.
Partnership: The Council on Undergraduate Research is a worldwide association of individuals and
institutions who support high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research in all fields of
academic study. They boast a growing membership at over 10,000 individuals and over 650 colleges and
universities. CUR suggests building UR practices into curriculum and coursework, as well as getting
involved in instructor workshops and new faculty orientation.
Community Involvement: Faculty awareness and advocacy fosters community involvement which benefits
DSU students with additional opportunities for public service and supplementary funds for collaborative
UR projects.
Funding: Grants are available through CUR and various interdisciplinary resources to fund research efforts
and expand UR opportunities. In 2009, CUR was granted almost $1M to work with consortia and state
systems. In another grant, they offered 64 college campuses funds to establish, formalize, and expand UR
opportunities (CUR 2009-2011 Triennial Report).
Prominent UR Programs: Dozens of universities devote countless resources to undergraduate research
efforts.
 University of Michigan faculty create internships and provide mentorship of UR students
 University of Nevada-Reno utilizes over $150M from sponsored grants and contracts
 University of California-Irvine trains undergrads for successful post-graduate alliances
 Indiana State University publishes an online journal of their students' research
 Weber State University establishes strong standards of ethical, scholarly research; endorses a
student-staffed UR publication journal
 Southern Utah University offers summer fellowships and year-round project scholarships
Outlook: Dixie State University must propagate its burgeoning undergraduate research program to not only
mimic comparable institutions, but to find its own successful path in multi-disciplinary innovation.