Michigan Research Community

= The Michigan Research Community =

The Michigan Research Community, or the MRC [ [http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mrc/index.htm Official MRC Website] University of Michigan (2006)] , 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. [ [http://www.lsa.umich.edu/urop/ UM UROP Website] University of Michigan (2006)]

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. [ [http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mrc/symposium.htm 2007 Symposium] Michigan Research Community (2006)] In 2007 the symposium will be located in the Michigan Union.

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 [ [http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mrc/peer_advisors.htm Peer Advisors] Michigan Research Community (2006)] 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 [ [http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mrc/program_board.htm Program Board] Michigan Research Community (2006)] 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.

Location

The MRC is typically located on the third floor of Mosher-Jordan Hall. However, due to Residential Life Initiatives [ [http://housing.umich.edu/residencehalls/index.php?hall=mojo&hallname=Mosher-Jordan%20Hall Mosher-Jordan Hall] Residence Hall Overview (2006)] , 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.

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.

References