1. Student Research and Creative Activity at SUNY Oneonta

2. What is Undergraduate Research?
“An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original, intellectual, or creative contribution to the discipline...” (from the Council on Undergraduate Research)
“ … experiences in which students produce, rather than consume, knowledge …” (from Inside Higher Ed blog: Matt Reed, Confessions of a Community College Dean)

3. What Are the Benefits?
Enhances the student learning experience through mentoring relationships with faculty
Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, self-confidence, and intellectual independence
Increases retention
Provides effective career preparation and promotes interest in graduate education
Contributes to the communities in which student researchers are engaged
Promotes an innovation-oriented culture

4. Active chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
In the Beginning
Active chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
Mid-70s ushered in the “pioneers” of formalizing a student research program ↑
Bruce Dayton ↑
Bill Harman
Larry Guzy
Esmat Nouri
Wilber Settle →
Established two programs in 1976, using its small treasury:
Grant-in-Aid for Student Research ($50 grant)
Student Award for Best Research Project ($50 prize)

5. Then Now AND 1970s $100/year initially funded by Sigma Xi treasury
Support primarily for students whose mentors were Sigma Xi members
1980s
Campus-wide grant program is established (~$1,600 total / max award $200)
Student Research Show for funded projects only
1990s
College at Oneonta Foundation first funds student grant program (~$5,000 total allocation)
2000s
~$60,000 available for 2017/18 grants (max award $1,500 + student & faculty fellowships)
Program spans the disciplines
Student Research & Creative Activity Show open to all students, grant-funded or not

6. Current Programs GRANT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY
32 grants awarded in 2016/17 to 36 students representing 15 different majors
Funded by the College Foundation AND the Alumni Association (totaling ~$60k/year)
D’ANTONIO STUDENT TRAVEL FOR EXCELLENCE
Assists u/g students with expenses related to participation in professional conferences and meetings (up to $750/application)
$30,000 per year available since 2012 / 700+ awards made to date
Additional $15,000 available through the institutional Student Travel for Excellence Program (STEP) for student academic and co-curricular travel

7. STUDENT RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY (SRCA) DAY
Current Programs
STUDENT RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY (SRCA) DAY
Posters and other exhibits / 2017: 115 presentations, 166 student participants, 68 faculty mentors, 24 academic departments
Annual keynote address delivered by a distinguished alumnus

8. Current Programs
COLLEGE AT ONEONTA FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Student SRCA Day presenters are nominated by faculty sponsors; finalists present to a panel of judges, and cash prizes are awarded (totaled $3,300 for 2017 winners and honorable mention awardees)
The five 2017 winners gave oral presentations at the April Faculty Convivium and were honored at the annual Academic Achievement Awards in May
Student honorees with President Nancy Kleniewski

9. What Next?
Align activities with the College’s Strategic Plan 2015 objectives to: increase opportunities for students to be mentored and strengthen and grow student and faculty research and creative activity
Provide experiential opportunities, including research experiences, for more students at all levels, that meet SUNY’s ‘approved’ criteria
Engage more students traditionally underrepresented in such endeavors
Continue planning and implementation of the campus “Applied Learning (AL) Network” including co-location of AL administrative units
Prioritize funding projects submitted to Faculty Research/Creative Activity Grant Program that engage students
Create new faculty incentives/support for mentoring students
Secure enhanced and sustained funding for faculty and student research and creative activity programs
The activity: (1) is structured, intentional and authentic; (2) requires preparation, orientation and training; (3) must include monitoring and continuous improvement; (4) requires structured reflection and acknowledgment; (5) must be assessed and evaluated
In addition to research, AL includes internships, service learning & community service, field study, study abroad, leadership programs, student teaching, practicums, etc.
Students to take a more active, more intentional approach to their own learning; to integrate some of their academic, co-curricular and extracurricular experiences; to make connections between disparate modes of thought and experiences; and to develop their capacity to problem solve, think originally and creatively.

10. Questions? Contact a member of the Committee on Research or the Grants Development Office Thank you!!