University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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is research beneficial J. photo eour!i y of Daivn Hubhard I unior LSA student Rakhi Shah, a par id pant in the Undergraduate Research Op portunities Program (UROP), conducts re search. Students had many opportunities tt participate in research. Manv students he lieved that research was an essential coin portent to their education. t ur educati story by Enraia Cartwright Known for being one of the top five research facilities in the nation, the University is dedicated to carrying out research. Every professor should be conducting research. Not only does research lead to advances in society, but it also brings money to the University in the form of government grants and funding. While some claim that the research aspect of the University detracts from their learning, my experience with research taught me more than any other classroom experience. As a first-year student, I was involved in the Under- graduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). I joined a group that was researching the effects of domestic violence on children. Not only did I gain valuable experience in data entry, personal interviews, and analysis, but I learned about the intense work and preparation that must be put into a research project. Through my field work I was introduced to research concepts and the mechanics of a research project. I am not the only student on this campus who has benefited from actively participating in a research project. There were 1 3 other assis- tants in my group and over 435 projects which required assis- tance. Fellow research assistant and psychology major Natalie Belvins said, It was one of the best research experiences I have ever had. Not only did I conduct interviews, but I was aware of the results our research was finding; I knew what was going on in every area of the project. Without research, the University would deprive stu- dents of valuable opportunities and society of valuable discov- eries. Some students feel research is overemphasized at the University, but these are not the students who are taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. 42 Research vs. Teaching stry by Celina Criss So here we are, 23,163 undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. Our purpose is the pursuit of ahighei education. Considering that most professors at the University are involved in personal research, do we really receive the education we pay for. work for. and deserve? We certainly cannot dispute the many incredible dis- coveries made here. For example, in 1996 the medical school announced the development of a new prosthetic knee. Ap- proximately 93% of the medical center was dedicated to this research but, what other useful studies came out of all this dedication? Despite the benefits of research, the quality of educa tion the students received was at stake. Many professors involved in research aren ' t even working on anything useful tc society but instead are researching just for the sake of research ing! said LSA sophomore Jonathan Kalbfeld, a student frus trated by the inattention of his preoccupied professors. The University ' s Mission Statement clearly outlined an emphasis on research, teaching, and service. Our faculty is expected to juggle these three substantial responsibilities in order to advance their career; it ' s not surprising that many excellent academics burn out. If a professor ' s time is consumed by the demands of research, it means less time for students, fewer office hours, and lack of interest in the class itself. Thus, research is more detrimental to students than it is helpful. We cannot afford situations like this. It is not fair to us. the students, to our parents, or even to our future employers. We are paying for a world-class education, only to be slighted! by theresearch that reigns over the University. layout by Emma Cartwright

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tf MMIMMI) Struggling to hold their ground, the Delta Kappa Epsilon tug-of-war team partici- pates in one of the many Greek Week activi- ties. For students who chose to join the Greek system, it provided an opportunity for members of different fraternities and sororities to join forces in an effort to raise money for philanthropies. Joshu i Greenberg To Be or Not to Be Greek? - 4 1

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t -f V ?H Maria Russell discusses the pla Agamemnon ; her first-year Great Books 191 class. Many professors at the University were involved in some sort of research, but some stu- dents felt that this compromised the quality of education they were receiving. Sarah SmiK ' kcr Research vs. Teaching + 43