University Scholars Program

Goals and Expectations for 2011-2012 Scholars

1. Create a research contract with your advisor that details what is expected of you, what semesters you will do the research work, and what the desired final product is. 
2. Discuss your expectations for the program with your advisor.
3. Develop a schedule and stick to it!
4. Conduct research under the guidance, direction, and supervision of your faculty mentor
5. Complete all program evaluation surveys that you receive.
6. Maintain a current e-mail account in order to get updates about the University Scholars Program. If you are not receiving any e-mail about USP, please email Donna Jackson at djackson@aa.ufl.edu.
7. You may wish to register for three credits of independent research in the summer term. Your college may even require it. Students can check with the mentor's department for the appropriate course number (e.g., 4910). Honors Undergraduate Research Credit (IDH 4917) is available to all University Scholars participants.
8. Understand that any requirements set by your college are in addition to the university-wide requirements outlined in this document.
9. Present the results of the research at the University Scholars Symposium Spring 2012.
10. Submit a paper to a professional journal or to the Journal of Undergraduate Research http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/.   If you submit to a professional journal, the citation is due in the office by April 13.  (It is acceptable to put “submitted” or “in press” – it does not have to be in print by that date).  Submissions to JUR are due April 13, 2012.

Evaluation

At both the midpoint and the end of each semester you and the faculty advisor will receive an evaluation form to let us know how you are progressing. 

Payments

You will be paid by scholarship disbursement; no paperwork needs to be completed to receive your stipend, unless you are an international student. International students must complete tax paperwork through their faculty mentor’s department.

You will receive your stipend in two payments – one in Sept. and one in April at the completion of the program year.  The final stipend payment will not be made until all of the program requirements have been met.  A student may not receive the stipend after graduation.  Please sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer on ISIs to receive your stipend, or make sure your local address in ISIS remains current.

Best Research Paper

The University Scholars Program, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost and the William and Grace Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication, holds a competition for the best written research articles in the University Scholars Program.  Awards will be announced during a ceremony following the annual spring Undergraduate Research Symposium.  Per the JUR submission guidelines, papers should be between 1500 and 4000 words, including references. There is no limit on the number of charts and graphs in a paper. Papers should conform to the manuscript and documentation format appropriate to the student's discipline (APA, IEEE, MLA, CBE, Chicago, etc.), including the labeling and construction of figures and tables.

Papers should follow the general format of the papers published in the Journal of Undergraduate Research.  See deadlines for due dates each year. If you wish to have your article considered for the contest but not published please indicate that when you submit your paper.  For information about submission to the Journal of Undergraduate Research, please contact Dr. Creed Greer.