Dean's Corner

by Mary Nisbet, Associate Dean

As I write this at the end of fall quarter, Nan Anderson (the URCA coordinator) and I have just completed our fourth cycle of awarding URCA grants to undergraduates to support their mentored research. We again had a large number of applications, and the quality of the proposals we received was again very high. This year was an especially challenging one for us because of budget cuts. However, thanks to the Executive Vice-Chancellor, Gene Lucas, and the Vice Chancellor for Research Michael Witherell, we had enough money to support all projects that received approval from the faculty reviewers. Overall, we funded more than 80 proposals and awarded a total of around $87,000. We have two more competitions for URCA grants this year, one in winter quarter and one in spring for summer research. In addition to supporting students who wish to do research, the URCA office also supports opportunities for students to present the results of their research and creative activities. For example, we hold the annual Undergraduate Colloquium each year in spring quarter, and this year the Colloquium will be held on Thursday, May 18 in the Corwin Pavilion, and we strongly encourage all students who are undertaking research or any kind of creative activity to present their work at this fun event. Further information about both URCA grants and the Colloquium can be found on the URCA website [begin link] http://www.ltsc.ucsb.edu/urca/index.php [end link] or by contacting the URCA office at 2105 North Hall.

I would also like to bring to your attention two wonderful opportunities for UCSB students. Both the UC Washington Center Program (UCDC) and the University of California Center in Sacramento allow students to spend a quarter interning in either the nation's or the state capital while earning a full slate of UCSB units. Further information about the programs and upcoming deadlines can be obtained again from the URCA Office.

There is no question that UCSB provides many ways to enhance your education and students in the honors program are particularly well qualified and positioned to make the most of these. I encourage you to do so.

Best wishes.

Mary

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