FAQ's

What is the role of a first or second year undergraduate student in a research project?

UROP provides students with an opportunity to undertake inquiry based learning. Undergraduate students are available to assist faculty in on-going research projects currently conducted by faculty. Students may be asked to conduct library research, assist in book and/or course development, conduct laboratory/survey research, participate in community-based intervention research, assist with performance art, and/or apply computer technology skills to a project.

What are some advantages of working with an undergraduate student on my project?

Faculty have an opportunity to introduce diverse students to their academic discipline and in so doing open academic and career possibilities for students. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the many roles faculty undertake. UROP students bring enthusiasm and a fresh viewpoint to the project.

What are reasonable expectations of an undergraduate researcher?

With training, undergraduate student researchers can make significant contributions to the research project. Initially, the first or second year student will need close supervision, but over time, the student will be able to increase his/her level of participation and become a more independent worker.

How many hours per week are students available to work on the research project?

Some students work as few as 6 hour per week or as many as 15. The average UROP student works 8 to 10 hours per week on their research project.

How much time is involved in mentoring a student?

The amount of time involved will vary depending on the nature of the project. At a minimum, during the first month of hire, you or a research team member will need to work closely with the student to provide an orientation to and training for the project. Students should be given background information, an explanation about the project’s methods and procedures and be told about the role they will play. Faculty are encouraged to meet one on one with the student to review their progress and, when appropriate and possible, to include student assistants in the research team meetings.

How do I hire a student to work with me?

Students will look through UROP Project Books which list all of the available research projects. Students select the projects they want to apply for and are responsible for contacting the faculty sponsor to set up an interview. From these student inquiries, faculty select students to interview and then determine which student(s) they want to hire. The student will ask you to sign a contract and then take care of the necessary paperwork with UROP staff. The faculty sponsor is responsible for setting a time and date for the student to begin to work.

What if I need to be away from the University while I am mentoring a student?

Faculty are often involved in activities which require short trips away from campus. Students can continue to work on their project during the faculty sponsor’s absence. We recommend that you inform your student about your upcoming absence and provide the student with another staff member who can be consulted, if necessary, in your absence.  If you know in advance of accepting a student that you will be gone on a number of trips or an extended leave in which you will be relatively unavailable to the student, you may want to postpone participation in UROP until the next academic year.

How much paperwork is involved?

Very little. First you need to complete the Faculty Application Form.You will also need to sign a UROP contract which the student will give you. This contract indicates to UROP staff that you have agreed to hire and to work with the student for the term. For students who are working for pay, you will need to sign a Work Study timesheet every two weeks. For students who are receiving academic credit, you will need to sign a Credit timesheet every two weeks and submit a grade sheet at the end of the term.   Mid Term Project Reports are also highly encouraged and will be sent to you by early November.

Who pays for the student’s hours worked?

UROP is adequately funded to assume the payroll costs of students working with faculty on a research project. UROP will manage payroll paperwork. Students will need their faculty sponsor to verify and to sign their timesheet every two weeks.

How is UROP funded?

UROP is primarily funded by UM General Funds. Supplementary funding has also been provided by government agencies, private foundations and UM alumni.

What if I experience a problem with my student?

In some cases, the student-faculty relationship or work performance experiences problems. Please contact the UROP Office at 998-9381 or e-mail asprun@umich.edu if you experience performance or communication issues with your student. UROP staff will be happy to work with you to resolve the problem.

What is the mechanism for reporting student performance?

All students participating in UROP receive a grade for their effort. UROP will send you a grade sheet at the end of Fall and Winter terms for each student you sponsor and request that it be returned to the UROP Office. UROP will submit the official grade paperwork to the Registrar’s Office.

What is the role of the UROP Peer Advisor?

In some cases, the student-faculty relationship or work performance experiences problems. Please contact the UROP Office at 998-9381 or e-mail asprun@umich.edu if you experience performance or communication issues with your student. UROP staff will be happy to work with you to resolve the problem.

Does UROP offer any training assistance to ease the burden of training?

UROP offers a variety of skill building workshops for students in Fall and Winter term. These training sessions include library research, web page development, SPSS, PowerPoint and poster presentations. UROP will notify you via e-mail regarding upcoming workshops.  Call UROP directly if you have a special training need.

What if my UROP student wishes to drop out of the program?

Often students become frustrated by the many demands on their time or problems occurring in the research environment and therefore may want to drop out of the program. UROP has procedures in place for students to follow if they wish to drop out, including a written note from the faculty. Time management tips and regular meetings between faculty and student researchers can help to keep a student appraised of his/her progress and contributions and therefore reduce the impulse to drop UROP.

By participating in UROP, can I receive supplementary funding for my research project?

Yes. Faculty may apply for supplementary research funding of up to $300 per student. Funds are typically used for purchasing equipment or supplies students will be using to conduct research and/or student transportation to and from an off campus research site. Use the   Supplementary Research Funding Application to request these funds.

What is the possibility of keeping a student after they complete their UROP year?

Many students wish to continue working on their UROP project after their first year UROP program ends.  Due to limited funds, limited staff support and the continuing student demand for a first time research experience, UROP may not be able to honor all student requests to continue working on their project. 

Students who have completed one year in UROP and who will have sophomore standing the following fall, can be considered for the Research Scholars Program.  Priority for UROP’s Junior Senior Program will be given to those students seeking a first time research experience.  UROP asks that faculty consider non-UROP funding and academic options for third and fourth year students wishing to remain on the research project.

Should I assign different tasks to Work Study students than students participating in UROP for academic credit?

No, we have the same expectations and goals for all UROP students regardless of how they are compensated for their work.

Does UROP have any funds to support taking my student with me to a national conference?

UROP does have limited funding to support a student researcher to present research findings at a professional conference.  Contact Sandy Gregerman at 734.998-.9381 or sgreger@umich.edu for details.

What if I need a student over the summer?

The UROP program officially runs from September through April. If you have been working with a UROP student who you wish to hire over the summer, you may do so under your own program. UROP will consider funding requests for summer employment on a case by case basis. You might also encourage your student to apply for one of the Summer Fellowship Programs managed by UROP.