What is new is that the principles behind what were previously special, limited programs are being expanded and applied to the very foundation of undergraduate education. As society becomes more and more global, such opportunities, far from being a luxury, have become increasingly indispensable to learning. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program , which began as a way to increase the retention rates of undergraduate students from underrepresented minority groups, has since been opened to a wider pool of undergraduates. Other curricular and instructional changes include having entering students submit a portfolio of their writing to be evaluated rather than assessing their abilities and needs by a single writing sample taken during orientation. In the revised chemistry curriculum, emphasis on performing research has resulted in increases in the number of chemistry majors.
Initial reactions are very favorable.
We are excellent learners here at the University, and that makes for expert educators. The future of the Michigan undergraduate experience looks excitingly bright.