Michigan Research Community

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[edit] The Michigan Research Community

The Michigan Research Community, or the MRC[1], is a living-learning program at the University of Michigan. The mission of the program is recruiting, supporting, and retaining first-year students at the University of Michigan. About 100 first-year students are accepted in the program, which works with the University of Michigan's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). UROP offers undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in a research project with faculty.[2]

Since 1998, the MRC has hosted the Annual Spring Research Symposium, giving first-year students the opportunity to present their research to faculty, family, and guests of the University.[3] In 2007 the symposium will be located in the Michigan Union.

[edit] Structure

The MRC professional staff is composed of a Director, Assistant Director, and an Administrative Assistant. The MRC student staff is composed of four Resident Advisors, 10-12 Peer Advisors, and 10-15 Program Board Members. The Resident Advisors oversee the day-to-day operations within the residence hall and host monthly Research Forums with students and faculty members. Peer Advisors[4] are each assigned a specific discipline (i.e., Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural and Physical Sciences, and Biomedical Sciences) and ensure each first-year's research experience is positive. The Program Board [5] plans and executes activities for MRC students, ranging from cultural dinner outings to intramural sports. All returning MRC students are also a Mentor to first-year students.

First-year students make up the majority of the program. Typically, about 100 first-years are accepted and enter the program. However, with the recent location change to East Quad (see Location section below), capacity has decreased to about 80 first-year students. Diversity plays an integral role at the University of Michigan, and the MRC strives on including a diverse experience for its students. Over 10% of the program is composed of international students, and intended majors range from engineering to business to chemistry.

[edit] Location

The MRC is typically located on the third floor of Mosher-Jordan Hall. However, due to Residential Life Initiatives [6], Mosher-Jordan is undergoing a renovation that will take place from 2006 until the Fall of 2008. During that span, the MRC will be located in the Hayden House of East Quadrangle Residence Hall.

[edit] Name Change

The MRC was formerly known as the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program In-Residence, or UIR. The name was officially changed in 2005 to avoid the acronym-in-acronym name, and also to represent the structural changes that took place that year.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Official MRC Website University of Michigan (2006)
  2. ^ UM UROP Website University of Michigan (2006)
  3. ^ 2007 Symposium Michigan Research Community (2006)
  4. ^ Peer Advisors Michigan Research Community (2006)
  5. ^ Program Board Michigan Research Community (2006)
  6. ^ Mosher-Jordan Hall Residence Hall Overview (2006)