Dear Reveille Editor,
As a component of the reaffirmation of LSU’s accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the university has proposed a new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This QEP represents a commitment by the university to provide our students with the very best educational experiences possible. With this goal in mind, LSU has elected to focus its QEP on undergraduate research. The QEP, entitled LSU Discover, is intended to give every student the opportunity to engage in research experiences that advance knowledge and enhance each participant’s future career. This QEP will be implemented, following review and approval by SACSCOC, beginning in fall 2014.
Currently, undergraduate students at LSU have the opportunity to engage in research projects that carry the possibility of making significant advances in their chosen fields. Faculty mentors work with these undergraduates on these projects.
Combining the skills from information literacy, research methods, professional ethics, critical thinking and communication, the QEP will ensure that students extend their understanding of how to conduct experiments or develop surveys. These skills have been deliberately chosen to help students become better professionals regardless of their future careers. Those who pursue graduate education may translate these experiences into enhanced assistantships at LSU and other prestigious graduate and professional schools.
In anticipation of its implementation, LSU will host Research Day on March 10 at the LSU Union. This event will provide undergraduate researchers a venue for sharing their ideas, presenting their work, and networking with others. While this year’s event is scheduled for a single day, the future of LSU Discover includes a Research Week, as well as other events including an undergraduate research conference.
Dr. Randy Duran, director of LSU’s Office of Undergraduate Research, is leading the effort to engage faculty to mentor more undergraduate students on how to conduct professional and responsible research projects. For more information about this program, contact Dr. Duran at [email protected].
T. Gilmour Reeve, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Planning, and Review