Ford Scholars

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Faculty

2009 Ford Scholars Program

Faculty Proposals due no later than Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Since its inception in 1988, the Vassar College Ford Scholars Program has funded collaborative research opportunities for Vassar faculty and students.  This past summer, projects were funded in the departments/programs of Anthropology, Curatorial Studies, Economics, History, Music, Studio Art, Classics, Sociology, Film, English, Philosophy, Media Studies and Political Science. Ford Scholars' work included primary research in the library and in the field, computer programming, website development, statistical analysis, independent writing, assistance with new course design, and editorial assistance.  Faculty members can imagine projects that combine Ford scholar research assistance for their own scholarly projects, curricular and syllabus development, and perhaps some guidance for student-generated ideas for independent work.  Ford proposals can also be in collaboration with colleagues to encourage shared mentoring, scholarly and teaching pursuits.    

Faculty Stipends: A $1,000 faculty stipend is provided for eight-week projects (prorated for shorter projects).  The stipend is an award for the faculty member's role as a mentor to his or her Ford Scholar.  Successful projects engage the faculty mentor in an instructional and supervisory role, both for the duration of the project and, perhaps, in the follow-up activities during the academic year.  The Ford Scholars Program is designed to give students a sense of professorial life. The program is especially committed to making this opportunity available to minority students.  Faculty members are encouraged to promote the Program to their students.

• Part 1 - Collaborative learning project (summer).
• Part 2 - Teaching component: an opportunity for the student to see how research is incorporated into the classroom or professional experience (academic year).

Projects will involve significant student participation and exposure to research methods of the discipline (i.e., not merely photocopying, word-processing or filing) with the idea to create a sense of ownership of the project by the student.  Faculty proposals may address a possible "teaching component" for the student.  This activity may take one of several forms:  leading a class discussion on the topic; preparing a lecture to be given on campus; presenting the research at a professional meeting; or, co-authoring a study.  Thus each component, which may vary according to the discipline, will help the student gain experience first-hand with the connection between research and teaching.  Faculty members are encouraged to contact Katherine Hite, the program director, to discuss and explore project ideas  (kahite@vassar.edu; office 7661).

Project selection will be based on the following criteria:Project selection will be based on the following criteria:

1. Faculty participants must be continuing members of the Vassar faculty (i.e., under contract for 2009/10).
2. Projects must be in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
3. Preference may be given to tenured or tenure track faculty members.
4. Preference may be given to faculty members who have not previously participated in the Ford Scholars Program.

General Guidelines

1. Projects may involve research and/or curricular development.
2. Projects may involve more than one faculty member or student.
3. Projects may last a maximum of eight weeks and may be conducted either on or off campus. Faculty and student will be expected to work in the same location. Projects conducted on campus should be completed within the 10-week time frame of Monday, May 25 to Friday, July 31, 2009. (For example, an 8-week project beginning on May 25 would end on July 17).
4. Project stipends:
   • Faculty: $1,000 included in the July paycheck. Faculty members receiving independent grant support are asked to forego the stipend.
   • Students: $3,200 paid bi-weekly, from which student pays room and board.
   • Research Expenses: up to $250 per project, subject to approval.
   • Travel: $500 for research or conferences, subject to approval.
5. Student Applicants: Preference will be given to qualified minority applicants.
   Graduating seniors (Class of 2009) are ineligible.