As part of the growing emphasis in the College of Arts and Sciences on opportunities for undergraduates to experience the professions that they have chosen to emphasize in their college training, we are initiating financial support for their more extensive involvement in research/creative expression or other appropriate professional activities. This support is not meant to provide additional funds for readers/laboratory assistants or other student activities currently supported through departmental budgets. Rather, it is intended to provide financial support that will allow the student to spend significantly more time in individual research or other appropriate activities and thus grow in their professions through individual efforts. In general, the type of activities that will be supported will be similar in purpose to those involved with Honors Projects/Research. However, the amount of effort involved should be considerably greater than for the typical Honors Project. It is intended that the student will invest 80 to 100 hours per quarter for three quarters.

One of the major purposes for the support offered is to give students the opportunity to work extensively with a faculty mentor who has already established a track record of professional growth/productivity. The student should have an excellent chance to take part in activities that will result in publication in the professional literature or other forms of recognized professional productivity and that will enhance the students future opportunities in the chosen discipline.

Thus, the most important criteria in selecting students for support will be: a. The faculty mentor's track record in professional productivity and in involving under- graduates in their research/creative expression; b. The student's academic background, interest in the proposed project, likelihood for success in the project, and potential for becoming an effective professional in the discipline; c. The quality of the project proposed and its likelihood to provide the student with opportunities for creative growth and recognized productivity.