The new online student research journal at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is a treat for the eyes and the ears as well as the mind.

Linked to UWSP�s Student Research page at www.uwsp.edu/grantsup/SRF.htm, "The UWSP Journal: A Refereed Publication of Student Achievement" features compositions, performances, artwork and research papers of nine UWSP undergraduate students. Its co-editors are Charles Clark, executive assistant to the chancellor, and Diane Bywaters, member of the art and design faculty, and director of Grant Support Services. The journal�s editorial board includes representation from each of UWSP�s four colleges.

During the past few years, UWSP�s commitment to student research has been strengthened through the establishment of the Student Research Fund and the Chancellor�s Excellence in Student Research Awards. The research fund supported more than 50 awards between $100 and $500 last year to help defray student research expenses. The excellence awards recognize outstanding researchers and give them up to $1,000 for travel expenses to present their work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the UW System Student Research Conference. Also, a mentor travel program was established to provide funding for faculty or staff to accompany the eight winners of the Chancellor�s Awards to the national and System conferences.

Clark said the journal was created because of UWSP�s strong ongoing support of student research. Publishing an online journal allows the flexibility to include performance pieces and other types of projects in addition to more traditional research reports. Because print journals are quite expensive to publish, an online publication is more cost effective and circulation is available to everyone with access to a computer.

The student research findings are solicited annually by faculty and editors in each college and refereed by faculty on the bases of scholarship, quality and originality. James Stokes and John Coletta are the Letters and Science (L&S) editors, Ron Crunkilton represents the College of Natural Resources (CNR), Leslie Plonsker edits College of Professional Studies submissions (CPS), and Lawrence Leviton is the editor for the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC).

"Student-centered excellence" is one of UWSP�s driving themes," Clark says, "so research is an integral part of the student experience here. CNR and L&S already sponsor annual student research symposia, while students in COFAC and CPS routinely exhibit and present their work both on campus and at regional and national conferences and competitions. The journal solicits quality submissions from all the colleges. Because UWSP students are directly involved in research and creative expression, they have an edge on employment or further schooling when they graduate."

Students featured in this year�s online journal, by hometown, are:

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