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Students As Scholars Fostering a Culture of Student Scholarship

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Students As Scholars Fostering a Culture of Student Scholarship QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN STUDENTS AS SCHOLARS FOSTERING A CULTURE OF STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WHERE INNOVATION IS TRADITION Fostering a Culture of Student Scholarship Students as Scholars George Mason University 2011 Quality Enhancement Plan Dates of On-Site Review: March 29-31, 2011 President Dr. Alan Merten Accreditation Liaison Dr. Steven Sheeley Alan G. Merten President 4400 University Drive, MS 3A1, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 Phone: 703-993-8700; Fax: 703-993-8880; E-mail [email protected] February 1, 2011 Dr. Steven Sheeley Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, Georgia 30033 Dear Dr. Sheeley: George Mason University is pleased to submit our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Fostering a Culture of Student Scholarship.” The Students as Scholars QEP emerges from three years of leadership and support by the QEP Topic Selection and Planning Committees. It represents the broad-based involvement of Mason students, faculty, staff, alumni, and administrators in both the selection and development of our topic. This QEP provides us with the exciting opportunity to connect our students with the research and creative mission of the university, while contributing to the achievement of our goals outlined in the 2014 Strategic Plan and addressing key areas for growth identified through institutional assessment. It is our expectation that engaging students with faculty in a culture of scholarship and creative activity will enhance Mason’s competitive position among the most prestigious universities in the country. The Students as Scholars QEP will foster innovative breakthroughs and initiatives that further disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge within the university community and beyond. We look forward to the visit of the SACS On-Site Review Committee on March 29-31, 2011. Sincerely, Alan G. Merten AGM/slc cc: SACS Leadership Team QEP Planning Committee Vice Presidents Provost Deans George Mason University TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary .................................................................................................1 II. Process Used to Develop the QEP .........................................................................3 A. QEP Topic Selection Process ..........................................................................3 B. QEP Planning Process ....................................................................................4 III. Identification of the Topic ........................................................................................7 A. George Mason University ................................................................................7 1. Mission Statement and Strategic Plan ....................................................9 2. Mason Students and Faculty ................................................................10 i. Mason Students ...........................................................................10 ii. Mason Faculty ..............................................................................12 3. General Education ................................................................................13 4. Existing Strengths in Student Scholarship ............................................13 B. Assessment Data ...........................................................................................16 1. National Survey of Student Engagement ..............................................16 2. Graduating Senior Survey .....................................................................17 3. Department Survey on Student Scholarship Opportunities ..................18 4. Analysis of Departmental Assessment ..................................................19 IV. Desired Student Learning Outcomes ...................................................................21 A. Mission and Goals of the QEP .......................................................................21 B. Desired Student Learning Outcomes .............................................................22 C. Desired Program Outcomes ..........................................................................23 V. Literature Review and Best Practices ..................................................................25 A. Strengthening Undergraduate Education ......................................................25 B. Transforming Students into Scholars .............................................................26 C. Benefits of Involving Undergraduates in Scholarship ....................................27 1. Benefits for Students .............................................................................27 2. Benefits for Faculty ...............................................................................29 3. Departmental and Institutional Benefits ................................................29 D. Best Practices ................................................................................................30 VI. Actions to be Implemented ...................................................................................33 A. QEP Goal 1: Enhance the Awareness and Visibility of Scholarship at George Mason University ..............................................................................33 1. Introduce Scholarship Early in the Curriculum ......................................33 i. Expose Students in University Transition Courses to Scholarship at Mason ...................................................................34 ii. Incorporate Scholarship in the First-Year Composition Course (ENGL 101) ..................................................................................34 iii. Integrate Discussions of Scholarship into the Classroom ............34 2. Create the OSCAR Fellows Program for Students ...............................35 3. Establish an Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship ......................35 4. Recognize Excellence in Student Scholarship ......................................36 B. QEP Goal 2: Increase Opportunities for Scholarly Inquiry .............................37 1. Encourage Scholarship-Based Curricula and Opportunities through Scholarship Development Grants .........................................................37 i Students as Scholars i. Develop Research & Scholarship Intensive (RS) Course Designator and Apply to Existing Courses ...................................38 a. Designate Existing Courses as RS .....................................38 b. Develop One-Credit Scholarship Add-ons for Existing Courses ...............................................................................39 c. Establish Independent Study Opportunities in Each Academic Program ..............................................................39 ii. Establish Scholarship Development Grants .................................39 2. Expand Opportunities for Individualized Scholarship Experiences .......41 i. Develop an Academic Year Undergraduate Research Scholars Program .......................................................................................42 ii. Create a Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars Program .......................................................................................42 iii. Establish an Undergraduate Student Travel Fund .......................42 3. Integrate Student Scholarship in Advanced Composition Courses (ENGL 302) ...........................................................................................43 i. Align Advanced Composition Assignments to Situate Scholarship within a Broader Context ..........................................43 ii. Develop RS Sections of Advanced Composition (ENGL 302) .....44 C. QEP Goal 3: Develop the Infrastructure to Support Student Scholarship ....................................................................................................44 1. Establish the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research ...............................................................................................44 i. Establish a Central Website for Student Scholarship ...................45 ii. Create a Searchable Database of Student Opportunities ............45 iii. Sponsor a Student Scholarship Interest Club ..............................46 2. Provide Faculty Development and Support ..........................................46 VII. Timeline ...................................................................................................................49 VIII. Organizational Structure .......................................................................................53 IX. Resources ...............................................................................................................57 A. Celebration and Outreach Support ................................................................58 B. Faculty and Instructional Support ..................................................................58 C. Individualized Scholarship Experiences Support ...........................................58 D. OSCAR Infrastructure Support ......................................................................59 E. Assessment Support ......................................................................................59 F. In-Kind Support ..............................................................................................60 X. Assessment ............................................................................................................63 A. Student Learning and Program Outcomes ....................................................65 B. Review
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