by kim hall

Staff Writer

While some students will be taking orders at their local McDonald's this summer, others will be learning how to use lap equipment, writing future assignments, and reading UN documents. Ten students will be working with professors on his or her summer research project as part of participating in the McGregor Fellowships. The McGregors are an opportunity for undergraduate students to do summer research, assisting professors in the humanities and social sciences.

Laura Luchies, junior, will be using lab equipment and conducting pilot studies along with Dr. Paul Moes and Dr. Donald Tellinghuisen, both professors in the psychology department.

``I wanted a summer job related to my field of study and career aspirations,'' said Luchies.

Students must apply and pick preferable proposals by differing professors, ranging anywhere from Dr. Moes and Dr. Tellinghuisen's ``Development of EEG Lab Exercises for Psychology'' to Dr. Amy Patterson's, a professor in the political science department, ``The Global Politics of AIDS: The Impact of African States on UN Actions''.

Students earn a stipend of $3200 for ten weeks of full time work. This work could include doing pilot studies, looking up old articles from international newspapers, or just plain reading.

``I like working with students and this way, it is a great one on one chance to collaborate,'' said Dr. Paul Moes.

For Dr. Fred De Jong and Dr. Peter De Jong, professors of social work, they will have their fellow, Rosylnn Azzam, examine case studies of abused and neglected children. Not only will Azzam be required to handle these studies but also she will be working with the professors to develop a tool to measure the quality of case worker/client relationships and determine its positive or negative nature.

``This in the long run could help prevent fewer children being abused or neglected by their parents. We hope to spur social changes and motivate better public policy to create a safe and loving environment for kids,'' said Dr. Fred De Jong.

The majority of the fellows will be presenting their information in the fall in differing conferences, some local, others national. Some hope to publish their work in journals, perhaps benefiting towards their interest in graduate school. Others see this as just another summer job - with added experience.

Besides bringing about social change or testing out new equipment, professors express desire for their students to gain valuable skills and scholarly abilities.

``I think everyone who has a student wants to provide opportunities for the student to disseminate knowledge as being part of that experience,'' said Dr. Patterson.

By working together with the students the professors will accomplish more than if done in isolation, piecing together weeks of research. But it does come to attention the notion of a student who would rather study than engage in leisurely activities over the summer. The fellows put that notion quickly to rest.

``As soon as I was offered the position, I knew I would accept it. This summer job is more than a job to me. I will gain experience in psychology. I will work with great professors,'' said Luchies. ``And, I think I will have fun in the process.''