Newswise — The Council on Undergraduate Research joins undergraduate students, faculty members and colleges and universities engaged in undergraduate research in celebrating this week’s action on the floor of the US House of Representatives that honored undergraduate research and its invaluable contributions. On November 16, 2010, the House designated the week of April 11, 2011 as “Undergraduate Research Week.”
“This action acknowledges the important and exciting research undergraduate students are conducting with the guidance of their faculty mentors. The endeavor has a tremendous impact on students’ academic and professional pursuits, and benefits the country economically,” said CUR Executive Officer Nancy Hensel of the House’s approval of the measure. “I hope this recognition from our country’s elected officials encourages colleges and universities to create more research opportunities for undergraduate students.”
The measure, H. Res. 1654, was championed by ardent undergraduate research supporter Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12); other Congressional advocates of innovation, university-based research and expanded opportunities for young people signed on to support the resolution before it was debated this week, including Representative Vernon J. Ehlers (MI-3), Representative Mazie K. Hirono (HI-2), and Representative Daniel Lipinski (IL-3). During consideration of the measure on the floor of the House, Holt said, “Around the country, thousands of students at hundreds of colleges and universities are involved in undergraduate research experiences that will shape the future trajectories of their lives and careers, yet we would benefit if thousands more were involved.” Holt and Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-5), who also spoke in support of the resolution, linked the importance of undergraduate research to fostering an innovative culture in the United States.
Undergraduate Research Week will coincide with CUR’s annual “Posters on the Hill” event. In April of 2011, CUR will host 60 students in the Nation’s capital. These students, selected to visit Washington, DC through a highly competitive selection process, will share their research with Members of Congress and discuss how their undergraduate research experience has affected them. They will also participate in events that will bring their experiences to federal agencies and officials. Each participating student will come to Washington eager to share their riveting discoveries that are pushing the frontiers of knowledge.
Council on Undergraduate Research: The Council on Undergraduate Research (www.cur.org) supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Nearly 600 institutions and over 5500 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.
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