18 - The Michigan, Daily - Tuesday, April 21, 1998 NATIONJWORLD RESEARCH Continued from Page 1. "We do perceive as a problem that senior facul- ty members ... have not been available to under- graduate students," said Kenny, who is also presi- dent of State University of New York at Stony Brook. "These are great institutions, but there are things we can do better." Lincoln Faller, the University's associate dean for undergraduate education, said the idea that research and education are closely linked at the University and that one cannot survive without the other. "If you have a university that cared only about research, you'd have to ask why have a university at all. Why not just have a think tank?" Faller asked. "There needs to be a balancing act. We try to maintain that balancing act" But the commission found that many students do not benefit from that balancing act, and instead they move through the institution, not fulfilling their potential. "Many students graduate having accumulated whatever number of courses is required, but still lacking a coherent body of knowledge or any inkling as to how one sort of information might relate to others," the report said. The commission returned a great deal of data on the experience of first-year students at research institutions, saying they suffered most from the problems in such schools. Chemistry Prof. Thomas Dunn said most first-year students are not ready for major research projects, but the University has done a good job of making these projects available. "There is a certain degree of expertise you need to do research. There is no way all freshmen are ready for research," Dunn said. But Dunn said the University is not as prob- lematic as many of the research institutions the report discusses. Education "did suffer for a period of time," Dunn said. "But now we're a little ahead of the curve." In a presentation to the University Board of Regents last July, Vice President for Research Frederick Neidhardt said the University must ensure the link between education and research to best maintain the University's reputation. "As one of the nation's vanguard research uni- versities and leading educational institutions, the University of Michigan assumes a special respon- sibility for ensuring that our extensive effort in research, scholarship and creative activity adds value to the education of our undergraduate stu- dents," Neidhardt said. In addition to identifying problems, the com- mission suggested 10 ways to improve undergrad- uate education at these institutions. "Our proposal makes research the mode of edu- cation for all students," Kenny said. "We would like to see professors spend time with smaller groups of students.", Kenny said some schools offer excellent stu- dent-instructor interaction, but professors often do not interact with undergraduates. Another of the commission's suggestions was for every student to have a professor as a mentor, Kenny said. The University works hard to maintain its undergraduate population because it is the life-line of the entire University, Faller said. "Without being able to recruit some of the best undergraduates in the country, we wouldn't be able to maintain our excellence," Faller said. The University has addressed the problems posed by continuing research with many new pro- grams. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the First-Year Seminar program are two such opportunities for students to work close- ly with higher level faculty, Faller said. There are 160 first-year seminars offered to incoming students, all taught by full professors. Faller said these seminars offer more than enough spots for all incoming students. Although these experiences with professors are important, Faller defended the graduate student instructors who many students deal with on a reg- ular basis. "NV recruit some of the best people possible for our graduate program," Faller said. But the report said GSIs and other teachers often times cannot stimulate learning among their students. "Some of their instructors are likely to be badly trained or even untrained teaching assistants who are groping their way toward a teaching technique; some others may be tenured drones who deliver set lectures from yellowcd notes, making no effort to engage the bored minds of the students in front of them," the report said. REVIEW Continued from Page 1 ; friends:' Mandel said. The impact of two lawsuits filed against the University this past year that challenge the University's use of race as a factor in admissions has taught many lessons to graduating seniors. Leavitt said affirmative action "has been a theme of the year, and that's reflected in the commencement speak er. Rose said the issues of affirmative action, along with the 10-percent, increase in undergraduate applications for Fall 1998, will be something many ; graduates think about as they enter the workforce. "I think admissions is importantto many of us, more the process thanthe numbers," Rose said. "For seniors especially those moving into the workplace ... understanding what going on in our own University is crucial." Manske said she hopes activism. will remain a part of graduates'lives- after they leave the University can pus. "I hope people will continue activism and interest wherever they go into the real world," Manske said. Many students said the deaths of LSA% senior Tamara Williams and Michigan wrestler Jefferey Reese last semester will remain sobering reminders of life, but will not stay in the forefront of most stu dents' memories. "I think people in the long run remember more of the positive things."'$ said LSA senior Carrie Horn. .Oft course, people will remember some of the bad things that come along with our, accomplishments." Mandel said student deaths will no be remembered as prominently as events like the Michigan football national championship. "I think that with some of the amaz- ing highs this year, that will be ovei shadowed a bit," Mandel said. Despite the variety and extreme nature of all the events that have occurred in the past four years, no one event has truly bonded the senior claJ Horn said. "Nothing ever quite brings the senior class together," Horn said. "There are things like Diag Days today and t6mor- row, but I think making seniors days every day of the semester would bring (the class) together." JOBS!!! Spring/Summer Term Apply nou at the Law Library.- " non-Law Students Law Students * S.I. Students Apply in person: Room S-180 in the Law Library's underground addition, 8-noon and 1-5 Monday through Friday: AA/EOE Forthcoming Title... JAPAN'S HIDDEN FACE A vIaI fnr P noin m