Engaging Students in Research
Use experiential learning to deepen your research and invest in our students.
Guidance for including students
Engaging students in your research can provide meaningful learning opportunities while advancing your work. Important considerations include ensuring that the experience is focused on education rather than resembling a student worker job and understanding how to navigate compensation processes and compliance requirements.
Is it experiential learning or student employment?
At the University of Mississippi, the Student Experiential Learning Committee is charged with determining whether an opportunity qualifies as experiential learning for the purpose of:
- Paying students for their participation
- Including minors as participants
If you wish to provide an opportunity in one or both of these categories, you will need to complete an online Experiential Learning Program Request Form for consideration. Questions? Email studentprograms@olemiss.edu.
Commonly asked questions
The committee includes representatives of HR, ORED, Financial Aid, Outreach, Provost's Office, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the University Research Board, the Office of General Counsel, and other faculty members.
The Student Experiential Learning Committee reviews requests for programs involving paid participants on the second Tuesday of each month. The committee determines whether the program qualifies as experiential learning or should be categorized as employment. They also confirm the appropriate payment process, report any implications for Financial Aid, and ensure the program complies with university policies.
Participant selection criteria are not reviewed, but all programs must follow the guidelines from the Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance (EORC). For questions about selection processes, contact EORC at eorc@olemiss.edu or the Office of General Counsel at 662-915-7014.
Decisions and recommendations will be sent to the contact provided on the request form. Unless noted otherwise, program approvals expire annually and must be renewed.
Paying UM Students for Research and Experiential Learning
Navigating the process of paying students for research or experiential learning requires careful planning to ensure compliance with university policies and proper classification of payments. Use our tools to understand how the process will work for your opportunity.
Engaging Minors in Research
Want to include minors in your research? Make sure to submit your request for review at least one month before the beginning of your proposed program. Learn more in the “Information for Programs Involving Minors” section of the Experiential Learning Program Request Form.
Rebel Research Scholars
Researchers can engage high-school students in research during the summer session through Rebel Research Scholars. This program through the Office of Outreach Division of Pre-College Programs offers high school students hands-on, faculty-led research experiences.
Housing for Summer Undergraduate Research Participants
The Department of Student Housing offers university housing to UM departments and external organizations to host residential conferences during the summer. Find room rates and request reservations for your offering.