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by NASH DUNN
Intern News Reporter
Fifteen Appalachian State University students missed the 23rd annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 16-18 due to North Carolina’s suspension of non-essential out-of-state travel funds.
After qualifying and paying for registration dues, the 15 students were notified they would not be traveling to NCUR because of a state memorandum released by Gov. Bev Perdue’s office April 7.
NCUR trip organizer and psychology professor Mark C. Zrull said the state’s decision is disappointing, but understandable.
“I was disappointed
and felt bad for the students because of how good the meeting is,”
Zrull said. “The 15 that got in did good work and now will not be able
to present.”
The
conference, which represents all undergraduate disciplines, was held at
the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and is recognized as the nation’s
leading undergraduate research meeting.
In addition to hearing four different speakers, students attending NCUR participate in oral, poster and creative presentations.
Although Zrull understands the state’s decision, he described how the timing of the memo caused several issues.
“Students
had paid registration and designed posters and presentations,” Zrull
said. “Usually students pay for the conference and then file for
reimbursement, but this year the state said ‘no.’”
Because
registration fees were already submitted, the 15 students who
registered for NCUR are still in the process of attaining reimbursement
for the conference.
Alan C.
Utter, director of the Office of Student Research, said his office is
working hard to have all students refunded and feels this issue is but
another indicator of the struggling economy.
“This
sends a clear message of economic times,” Utter said. “We’ve had many
other students from across campus that have been postponed also.”
Adriana Pardo, senior elementary education major, is one of the 15 students denied access to the national conference.
“I was
angry because I had planned this trip at least three months in advance
and then two days before, they told us we couldn’t go,” Pardo said. “I
had already paid money, but then they lost it.”
Although frustrated, Pardo does agree with Utter in regards to the nation’s economic status.
“It goes to show you how bad things are when they’re cutting funds for educational opportunities,” Pardo said.
Most
students who were denied the opportunity to present at NCUR will be
able to present at the Celebration of Student Research and Creative
Endeavors today in Plemmons Student Union.
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