By Ashley Nolan

ALBANY, NY, May 2, 2007 – At a local college students are taking research seriously and populating many professional national conferences. 

            The College of Saint Rose has been sending more and more psychology students to the national Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference.  The conference is held each year in a different eastern city.  This year’s conference was held in Philadelphia in March, last year it was held in Maryland..

            The professors at Saint Rose urge students to present research at

national conferences because they feel they are great learning symposiums, and help polish students’ resumes and grad school applications.  Professors like psychology teacher Nancy Dorr, find research to be stimulating and “challenging.”  Students receive positive reinforcement from professors who are already used to presenting and getting published in research journals nationally.

Robert Flint Jr. is a published professor of Psychology at Saint Rose and a strong advocate of research.

“Some of the most valuable, rewarding, and scientifically productive hands-on activities take the form of independent and faculty-directed student research,” said Flint.

            Over the past few years Saint Rose Psychology students have been exhibiting research at many conferences.  As part of course work, students are required to choose a topic on their own that they find interesting.  They then look up past published research, rejuvenating the previous information to begin their own.  The type of research is usually questionnaire based taken from the student population on campus.  Other research is more biological and may utilize the college’s psychology rat lab.  Students that find significant supporting evidence for their hypotheses are urged to present at the conference. 

  During spring 2007, over 25 presentations were displayed at the Eastern Psychological Association, the Northeast Undergraduate and Graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience, or the American Psychological Society meeting. 

This year the number of students eligible for Psi Chi recognition awards was increased from about 70 to 170.  Out of 16 $300 cash prizes, two College of Saint Rose Students received one.  Last year five out of six students presented and won at the Eastern Psychological Association meeting.  Despite the increase of competition the college continues to plow through the contests with success.      

            The Psychology Club at Saint Rose funds members and those interested in attending the EPA conferences.  Each club on campus is allotted certain amounts of money.  This money is delegated through the Student Association. 

The funds from the Student Association can only cover some of the costs.  There are still hotel bills, gas and toll money, as well as other fees and services that may apply.    This money is raised by the club itself. 

This year the psychology club fundraised more than $180 with two bake sales.  The students are aware that their transportation, rooming, and some food are paid for, and therefore their effort to fundraise is great.  The students end up paying out of pocket for their own food and any alternate transportation outside the group.  Transportation to and from the conference is provided by campus Student Association vans. 

Interestingly, the funding for future and present student presenters the psychology department has received has increased over the years.  It seems that The College of Saint Rose has been delegating more funds to the up and coming research of the students.  This funding allows for more students to go to such conferences and each year there is more demand for money since more and more students are becoming involved in presenting at the conference. 

The music department has a similar situation.  The National Association for Music Education has annual meetings in Rochester, NY which spotlights educational music.  Saint Rose students sell t-shirts to fundraise for this event and according to the secretary of the Saint Rose chapter of this group, Sara Ann Shea, Student Association funds part of the conference fees for those interested in attending.  The attendance varies each year.

Delta Mu Delta is the national honor society in business administration.  “There is an annual business leadership conference held for the Delta Mu Delta members,” said Nicole Oddey, a business major.  “Leadership and skill workshops are held at the conference,” Oddey said.

Saint Rose is not the only local college involved in presenting at national conferences.  Skidmore College of Saratoga, NY was represented by a handful of student presenters at this year’s EPA conference. 

For a relatively small student body, The College of Saint Rose seems to have made a large impact in the research aspect of academics.  The college may not have a team for every sport, but students seem to be making an effort to be recognized at a national level in a way that is not only beneficial for them but also for the school.

Professors couldn’t be happier.

 “I see the excitement and the pride my students have when they discover that all of their hard work resulted in something important,” said Flint.