SP1: Enhancing Research Grant Support
1. Research Development Specialist, Office of Strategic Research Initiatives
The research development specialist will provide training and consultation on effective practices for developing a competitive funding proposal, including writing formats, research impact programs, and identification of partners. The Research Development Specialist will work closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs and collaborate with campus constituencies involved in grant-funding activities.
2. Grant Specialist/Grant and Contract Administrator, Office of Sponsored Programs
The grant specialist/grant and contract administrator directly supports faculty by identifying and monitoring funding opportunities; coordinating and facilitating the development, preparation, and submission of funding proposals; and ensuring compliance with federal, state and sponsor regulations, guidelines, and policies.
This position will support the anticipated Fall 2023 increase in faculty numbers and allow for a balanced portfolio of departments to ensure the provision of focused and dedicated sponsored programs services.
SP2: Enhancing HIP participation and First Year retention
SP2 proposes to fund three initiatives. First, SP2 proposes to create undergraduate research grants with priority given to academically talented low-income students or students who have not otherwise had a HIP experience. Second, grants for HIP pilots are intended to experiment with new initiatives to create more HIPs for those students without such opportunities. Third, to support graduation and retention rates, SP2 proposes to support students who stopped out before graduation by identifying eligible students, conducting outreach to them, counseling them on option for completion and offering completion grants for needy student. In addition SP2 will weave together exiting programs to provide an academic support program to at-risk students.
SP3: Enhancing Diversity Training for faculty and staff
To further support professional development, the university will hire a DEISJ Director, who would assist with the design, curriculum development, and delivery of workshops to the campus community, with an emphasis on faculty. This person would report to the Vice President, DEI and could serve as an instructor in an appropriate department/program. The director would identify university faculty workshop presenters who could add to the UDiversity Educational Institute’s suite of workshops and would further redevelop or redesign, where appropriate, the current workshop offerings of UDiversity. The director also would have an opportunity to teach one course (to be determined) in an area pertinent to the individual’s discipline (for additional renumeration).
SP4: Community Engagement for New Faculty
Grants to support faculty in community engaged teaching, learning and research. Software and student assistant to track community engaged teaching, learning and research. Awards for community partners. Commencement cords for student recognition in community engaged courses and research. Hire a graduate student assistant to coordinate community service activities and to cover associated transportation costs.
SP5: Recruitment and Retention Initiatives and Planned Giving support
Floater positions to help with partner hires. Referral bonus to enhance recruiting new employees in critical shortage areas. Support a Southern Tier Recruitment Consortium. Participate in Experience Bing program of the Chamber of Commerce. Hire a talent acquisition specialist to assist with staff searches. Support our contract with Stelter to support planned giving efforts.
SP6: Supporting Undergraduates in International Research
This project will fund undergraduate research assistants, who will accompany faculty to work with them when they are doing international research during the summer or winter (non-semester) time frames. Goal 4 of SP6 articulates that all BU students, faculty, and staff should have opportunities to develop a broader understanding of the world. The metric for this goal includes the number of BU students participating in education abroad. This metric will be updated to include student participation in the international internships supported by these funds.
