Faculty-Student Research

Summer Research Program

The Occidental Summer Research Program involves more than 100 students each summer, working closely with Occidental Faculty on independent projects as part of a research community. Students and faculty from nearly every department on campus have been a part of this program.

Your role as a mentor is critical to the success of the program and to each student's experience. Mentors are expected to be available on a regular basis throughout the summer. At least weekly face-to-face contact is recommended. Absentee (email-based) mentorship will not be approved.

Student researchers must be available for the entire ten week research program. Summer research is considered a full time job, and outside involvement is discouraged. In exceptional circumstances, a petition for no more than ten hours of outside involvement (courses or work) may be approved by the Undergraduate Research Center director. Students starting late because a study abroad program ends after the SRP begins can be approved, but stipends will be prorated. Students taking vacation time after Study Abroad ends, or at other times during the summer, will not be approved.

Students will receive a stipend of $390 per week ($3900 total). Generally, the amount awarded for summer research is taxable, but the College is not obligated to withhold taxes or send a 1099, so students should retain a copy of their contract as part of their tax records. Since individual tax liability depends on each individual's circumstances, Fellows should contact their personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns.

If you have individual grants that provide funds to support students during the summer, the URC is happy to assist you. Please contact us to discuss the information we need and what we can do for you.

The continued growth of Occidental's Summer Research Program is due in large part to the efforts and dedication of our faculty. We deeply appreciate your support, and encourage you to contact us with questions and requests.

Guidelines for College Subsidized Room and Board Support
The continued growth of undergraduate participation in research projects during the summer requires a formal procedure for coordinating the research activity and managing the demands on College resources associated with summer room and board. All research positions funded through the Undergraduate Research Center (URC) will be eligible for subsidized on-campus room and board. In addition, all Faculty Sponsored Summer Research opportunities (funded through individual faculty grants), which are listed on the URC web site under Faculty Sponsored Research by the application deadline, will also be eligible for this benefit. The URC advisory committee has recommended that summer research students living on-campus contribute up to $1200 (depending upon financial need) toward the cost of their summer room and board package. Off-campus housing support is not available through the URC.

Faculty mentor's statement of support
Student proposals for support from the URC require an expression of support from a faculty mentor. This should include an evaluation of the student and his/her ability to carry out the planned project in the time allotted, an assessment of the project's importance within the field, the likely impact on the student's educational development and a description of your role as a mentor in their project. Summer Research Program mentors, in particular, are expected to be available to the Fellow on a continuing basis, to meet regularly with the student(s), and to provide support and guidance in carrying out the research project and preparing a final report, poster, or other culminating project. It is important to the SRP Selection Committee to understand the mentor's view of the student and the project. We have prepared a simple Faculty Recommendation form that will help us do this, and all Summer Research Recommendations must be submitted using this form. The SRP committee recommends that you add an explanation of your ratings in the box provided, or attach a letter in addition to rating the student in various areas. It is important that you take the time to provide specific comments; the check boxes allow us to easily compare students, but a more detailed understanding is helpful in reaching decisions.

Information on publications or presentations involving undergraduate co-authors is very useful when we prepare reports and proposals for support of our undergraduate research program. We encourage you to report any papers and presentations with student co-authors to the URC using the Student Co-authors Form.

Undergraduate Research Center 1600 Campus Rd. Los Angeles, CA. 90041 (323) 259-1414



Occidental College
	Summer Research Program The Occidental Summer Research Program involves more than 100 students each summer, working closely with Occidental Faculty on independent projects as part of a research community. Students and faculty from nearly every department on campus have been a part of this program. Your role as a mentor is critical to the success of the program and to each student's experience. Mentors are expected to be available on a regular basis throughout the summer. At least weekly face-to-face contact is recommended. Absentee (email-based) mentorship will not be approved. Student researchers must be available for the entire ten week research program. Summer research is considered a full time job, and outside involvement is discouraged. In exceptional circumstances, a petition for no more than ten hours of outside involvement (courses or work) may be approved by the Undergraduate Research Center director. Students starting late because a study abroad program ends after the SRP begins can be approved, but stipends will be prorated. Students taking vacation time after Study Abroad ends, or at other times during the summer, will not be approved. Students will receive a stipend of $390 per week ($3900 total). Generally, the amount awarded for summer research is taxable, but the College is not obligated to withhold taxes or send a 1099, so students should retain a copy of their contract as part of their tax records. Since individual tax liability depends on each individual's circumstances, Fellows should contact their personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns. If you have individual grants that provide funds to support students during the summer, the URC is happy to assist you. Please contact us to discuss the information we need and what we can do for you. The continued growth of Occidental's Summer Research Program is due in large part to the efforts and dedication of our faculty. We deeply appreciate your support, and encourage you to contact us with questions and requests. Guidelines for College Subsidized Room and Board Support The continued growth of undergraduate participation in research projects during the summer requires a formal procedure for coordinating the research activity and managing the demands on College resources associated with summer room and board. All research positions funded through the Undergraduate Research Center (URC) will be eligible for subsidized on-campus room and board. In addition, all Faculty Sponsored Summer Research opportunities (funded through individual faculty grants), which are listed on the URC web site under Faculty Sponsored Research by the application deadline, will also be eligible for this benefit. The URC advisory committee has recommended that summer research students living on-campus contribute up to $1200 (depending upon financial need) toward the cost of their summer room and board package. Off-campus housing support is not available through the URC. *Faculty mentor's statement of support* Student proposals for support from the URC require an expression of support from a faculty mentor. This should include an evaluation of the student and his/her ability to carry out the planned project in the time allotted, an assessment of the project's importance within the field, the likely impact on the student's educational development and a description of your role as a mentor in their project. Summer Research Program mentors, in particular, are expected to be available to the Fellow on a continuing basis, to meet regularly with the student(s), and to provide support and guidance in carrying out the research project and preparing a final report, poster, or other culminating project. It is important to the SRP Selection Committee to understand the mentor's view of the student and the project. We have prepared a simple Faculty Recommendation form that will help us do this, and all Summer Research Recommendations must be submitted using this form. The SRP committee recommends that you add an explanation of your ratings in the box provided, or attach a letter in addition to rating the student in various areas. It is important that you take the time to provide specific comments; the check boxes allow us to easily compare students, but a more detailed understanding is helpful in reaching decisions. Information on publications or presentations involving undergraduate co-authors is very useful when we prepare reports and proposals for support of our undergraduate research program. We encourage you to report any papers and presentations with student co-authors to the URC using the Student Co-authors Form. Undergraduate Research Center 1600 Campus Rd. Los Angeles, CA. 90041 (323) 259-1414