Undergraduate Research Symposium

The primary purpose of the Undergraduate Research Symposium is to provide a forum where undergraduate students may present their research to others in a professional environment. You will be expected to share your work later in your careers, either as graduate students or in the professional world, and so the URS is a great way to gain some experience in a congenial and positive environment.

As this is the first time for most of you to do a presentation (outside of the classroom), please refer to this form that provides general information about the conference, as well as detailing conference conventions and the expections placed upon those who present. As this is a professional conference, you are expected to follow these guidelines.

 

Poster Printing:

The standard size for a poster is 48" x 36" (or 4 x 3 feet).

The Newton Gresham Library offers poster printing services. Go to this link for more information.

NOTE: DUE TO HIGH VOLUMES IN APRIL, YOU SHOULD SUBMIT YOUR POSTER TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SYMPOSIUM TO ENSURE THAT IT WILL BE PRINTED IN TIME FOR YOU TO PRESENT.

 

 

Conference Expectations:

1. Registering to present in a conference is a professional commitment:

Do not register if you cannot attend. In the unlikely event that something prevents you from presenting, e-mail kbell@shsu.edu to inform us of your withdrawal from the conference. We will notify the session presider and moderator and will make a note of your withdrawal in the program.

2. Plan to arrive when registration begins and to stay the entire duration of the conference:

Symposia are not organized (and paid for) so that you can present your work and leave; they are intended to foster collegiality and to promote the exchange of ideas, neither of which can take place if you simply go to your own session then duck out. Plan to attend other sessions and visit the posters during poster presentations. Session information, room locations, and abstracts will be detailed in the program. Those presenting posters must arrive early to set up: viewing will BEGIN when registration opens, and no one should still be setting up posters. It will reflect poorly on you as a professional.

3. Supplies:

The following equipment will be provided: Screens, LCD projectors, PowerPoint software, IBM computers, podiums, and microphones.  Apple users must provide the proper equipment so that they can use our projectors. For those doing PowerPoint or video presentations, ensure before the conference that your visuals work. Regardless have a low-tech back-up plan in the event that technology fails (see the next point). For those doing posters, we will provide mounting boards and pushpins.

4. For those presenting in sessions, follow the time allotment:

You will have 15-20 minutes to do your presentation, and presiders will be monitoring time. If you go over 20 minutes, you will be asked to conclude your presentation immediately. You will not be allowed to take a few minutes to wrap it up. This time restriction is enforced so that all presenters are allowed equal time for presenations and so there is time afterward for question-and-answer sessions. We recommend that you time your presentation beforehand and modify it to meet the time limits if necessary. We strongly recommend that you set up your presentation materials (hook up laptop, set up video presentation) in a timely and efficient manner. We also strongly recommend that you have a back-up plan in case technology fails: you should be able to talk about your presentation without visuals if necessary or provide handouts.

5. For those presenting posters, plan to remain at your poster during the entire poster session:

Your posters will be on display for the duration of the conference, but you are free to attend the sessions throughout the day. Please leave your posters in place until the end of the conference: DO NOT pack up after the poster session is over: again, it reflects poorly on you as a professional.

6. Look Professional:

You should wear clothing appropriate to a business-like atmosphere: skirts and blouses, suits, or khakis and an ironed shirt are acceptable; plan to leave T-shirts, flip-flops, shorts, jeans, and sunglasses at home. Strive to be well groomed.

7. Keep cell phone use/texting to an absolute minimum:

Turn off your phone while you are in sessions. If you must text someone, do it discretely between sessions. If you forget to turn off your phone and it rings in a session, turn it off immediately. Do not answer it.

8. Be respectful:

You should be respectful to other session and poster presenters. Remember that for nearly everyone this is a first-time experience. Be kind and understanding. Never interrupt a presentation; you will have time at the end of sessions for questions.

 

 

General Information:

1. Registration:

You will be notified about the registration time and location. A light breakfast will be served. Present your SAM ID to receive the symposium program, door prize ticket, and gift bag at check-in. Poster presenters should arrive a few minutes early to set up.

2. Parking for Guests:

Parking for visitors and guests is available without a permit on Saturdays in all campus lots. The parking garage is available for $1.00 per hour ($5.00 daily). Please do not park in handicap or numbered faculty reservation spaces.

3. Session Format:

In addition to audience members, each session will have a presider, a student who will e-mail you before the conference, asking for information so that she/he may introduce you to the audience.  On the day of the conference, the presider will announce that the question-and-answer session will be held at the end of the session, after everyone has presented, and will also keep track of time. If you go over your 20-minute time allotment, she/he will kindly ask you to end your presentation immediately.

Each session will also include a moderator, a faculty member who has generously offered to evaluate your presenation: she/he will specifically offer feedback on how you can improve your demeanor and presentation. It is an informal assessment and it intended to be constructive and helpful. The moderators will be given forms that they will give to you at the end of the session. Poster sessions will not have a presider but will have a moderator who will evaluate posters during the poster session.