Benefits & Expectations
Please read carefully for a thorough explanation of both the Benefits and Expectations of being a UROC Researcher.
Benefits for UROC Researchers
Engagement with UROC staff, workshops, and events allows students access to a broad range of resources and expertise. UROC Researchers benefit from this engagement in a variety of ways, which may include:
- Individualized guidance towards research and graduate school goals
- Access to additional research, travel, and scholarship opportunities through programs like CSU-LSAMP
- Opportunities to present research at campus research events
- Guidance on components of graduate school, fellowship, and research applications
CSUMB students may be supported as UROC Researchers for a total of 3 academic terms, including the summer term. Exceptions to this policy are possible and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
UROC Researchers may be able to receive a research stipend or course credit for each semester you are a part of the UROC Researchers Program. UROC has a limited amount of Researcher positions who will be eligible to receive a stipend. Eligibility will be based on the application packet. All other Researchers who are accepted into the program will be offered course credit.
Students can receive a research stipend up to 3 semesters. After the 3 funded semesters, students may continue to participate in the Researchers program but receive only course credit.
- UROC Researchers are eligible to submit a UROC Travel Award Request to attend and present their research products at conferences.
- Travel Award Requests will be reviewed by UROC Staff and approved or denied based on several factors, which may include cost of travel, funding availability, UROC Researcher performance, and timeliness of request submission.
- See the UROC Travel Award Policy or contact UROC for more details.
Complete the UROC Travel Award Request with as much information as possible. A UROC staff person will review your request and get back to you with a decision.
Limited funds for research supplies are available. UROC may be able to purchase supplies that are vital to the research, cannot be supplied by the research mentor or institution, and are consumable supplies that would not be necessary had the UROC Researcher not be participating on the project.
All requests must be submitted by the UROC Researcher via the online Research Supply Request form or submitted in hard copy to the UROC office.
For more information, see UROC's Research Supply Request policy page or contact UROC for more details.
Eligible Items
- Funds are available to purchase consumable supplies (i.e., reagents, computer software) that are critical for the execution of your research.
- Items that are considered "equipment" cannot be purchased using these funds and must be provided by the mentor and/or host organization. Email uroc@csumb.edu to find out what is considered "equipment."
- Non-essential items, personal items (like field clothing), and items not directly related to the research will not be approved. (E.g., Textbooks for a class are not considered research supplies.)
Submitting a Research Supply Request using the Google Form
- Requests must be pre-approved by the Research Mentor.
- The UROC student must complete this form.
- UROC staff will review your request. If the request is approved, UROC will order the supplies directly and have the supplies delivered to the UROC office, unless otherwise specified.
The Google form will request the following information:
- UROC student name and contact information.
- A clear justification for each of the items requested.
- Vendor name and contact information (e.g. website and telephone number for ordering).
- Note: A separate form must be submitted for each vendor.
- Item name(s) and product id number(s).
- Cost per unit item and quantity needed.
- Total cost (incl. tax and shipping).
- Delivery address and specific shipping, handling, and delivery instructions.
*If you have more than 4 items to purchase or would prefer to to submit your request by filling out a .doc file, contact uroc@csumb.edu, and they will provide you a copy of the Word file.
- UROC Researchers are expected to maintain a GPA greater than 2.75 each semester they are supported by UROC.
- Failure to maintain this minimal standard of academic excellence will negatively affect the Researcher's chances of continued funding for the following semester and may result in immediate termination of funding.
UROC strives to ensure that student researchers are actively and consistently taking advantage of campus and community resources that will contribute to their development as researchers, students, and professionals. A lack of initiative by the UROC Researcher towards fulfilling these requirements will negatively affect the Researcher's chances of continued funding when re-applying for continued funding.
Starting Fall 2020, the UROC Researcher program will be using the CANVAS platform for program information, announcements, and submission of assignments.
Fall and Spring Professional Development Requirements
- Development of a Research Project: As a UROC Researcher, you are expected to work with your mentor to develop and execute a research project
- Research Log: Researchers are expected to fill out a weekly UROC journal with brief descriptions of tasks completed. UROC and your mentor will use this log to monitor research progress and research hours.
- Check in meetings: All Researchers must schedule one 30 minute meeting with Jessica Bautista, Researchers Program Lead, to discuss research and graduate school goals.
- Professional Development Activities: Researchers are expected to select and complete 1 of 4 professional development activities (workshops, ePortfolio, CV support, or Individual Development Plan)
- CITI Training: You must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training program by the 8th week of the semester. If you already have a valid CITI certificate, you do not have to redo the training.
- Dissemination of Research: UROC Researchers are expected to pursue opportunities to present their research, such as campus research presentation events (e.g. Fall and Spring Showcases, CSUMB Summer Research Symposium, Undergraduate Research Week) or national and regional conferences.
Summer Term Requirements
UROC Researchers participate in a 9-week summer program consisting of a series of seminars designed to augment students' research experiences, strengthen research and professional skills, and prepare them for graduate school. Students will develop writing and professional communication skills, a suite of professional products, and are required to also present their research at the CSUMB Summer Research Symposium.
Summer Requirements
- Complete all class deliverables (Research Planning guide, summer reflections, abstract and research presentation).
- Development of a Research Project: As a UROC Researcher, you are expected to work with your mentor to develop and execute a research project.
- Research Log: Researchers are expected to fill out a weekly UROC journal with brief descriptions of tasks completed. UROC and your mentor will use this log to monitor research progress and research hours.
- Check in meetings: All Researchers must schedule one 30 minute meeting with Jessica Bautista, Researchers Program Lead, to discuss research and graduate school goals.
- CITI Training: You must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training program by the 8th week of the semester. If you already have
- Dissemination of Research: UROC Researchers are expected to present their research at the CSUMB Summer Research Symposium.