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University of St. Thomas Center for Applied Mathematics

Visitor Program Guideline


Visitor Program | Why a Vistor Program | Visitor Designation | Visitor Responsibilities | Financial/Institutional Support | The Application Process

 

Visitor Program

The Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) along with the University of St. Thomas recognizes the importance of sabbatical leave programs. While the
purpose of the leave may vary from place to place, the general idea of the faculty or employee receiving some compensation to broaden their knowledge
base, learn new job skills and collaborate with others is vital to advancing and sharing knowledge.

The purpose of the CAM visitor program is to provide the visiting scholar with financial assistance, office space, computing facilities, libraries and research
facilities in a dynamic academic environment. In return for the CAM support, the visiting scholar would contribute to the Mathematics Department, the CAM
and the University of St. Thomas community in a variety ways (please see the section Visitor Duties).

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Why Visitor Program

Several faculty members in the Mathematics department have an interest and/or background in applied mathematics. Many areas of Applied Mathematics
are well represented within the department. However, other areas of Applied Mathematics are either under-represented or lack a faculty representative
altogether. The CAM and the Mathematics department expect these gaps in representation because of the diverse and expanding nature of Applied
Mathematical studies. The ability to support a visiting scholar in the CAM and Mathematics departments serves to augment an already existing area or to
introduce a new area of Applied Mathematics to the faculty and students

There are many local benefits of the CAM Visitor Program. For example, a visiting industrial specialist could lead a specialized undergraduate research
seminar or project for qualified students. These students would be able to study an area that is taught by a specialist and make post-baccalaureate
industry contacts. By having a visiting scholar program, the faculty from the CAM and the Mathematics department can work on research problems,
create new or improved courses and submit grant proposals without the delays and pitfalls of long-distance collaboration. Because Applied Mathematics
encompasses many disciplines, a visiting scholar could provide a conduit for interdisciplinary work and communication between UST colleagues in the
Division of Sciences and Mathematics and the surrounding academic, business and industrial community.

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Visitor Designation

Since different institutions vary in duration of a sabbatical leave, the CAM has designed a visitor program that will allow for these time discrepancies. The
CAM recognizes the importance of all visitors and welcomes them to find a visitor program from the following list that is congruent with their research
schedule and institutionally awarded leave:

Semester Visitor

This visitor is allowed to request a semester of financial support from the CAM. This program requires that the visitor teach a class or conduct a seminar
for students and/or faculty during the semester of his/her visit. The CAM will support at most one Semester visitor per year.

Extended /Summer Visitor

This visitor program is designed for those scholars who cannot stay for an entire semester but for a shorter period of time (less than a semester but
more than two weeks). The CAM will support at most two Extended/Summer visitors per year.

Short Term Visitor

The period of this Visitor Program is at least a couple of days but no more than two weeks. A faculty member might want to collaborate on a project or
address a special topic in a class. The CAM and other authorities that are involved in determining admission to the Visitor Program decide the number of
visitors that are supported by this program per year on a case-by-case basis.

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Visitor Responsibilities

In return for financial and institutional support, the Visitor is expected to perform a variety of duties at UST. Each Visitor should engage in at least 2-3 of the
following tasks and any Semester Visitor is required to deliver a CAM Lecture:

  1. Teach either Math 315/316 or another course deemed acceptable by the chair of the department.

  2. Work with students on a research project in the field of Applied Mathematics.

  3. Lead a specialized undergraduate seminar and/or a faculty seminar focusing on a topic or specialized area in Applied Mathematics.

  4. Collaborate with a University of St. Thomas faculty member(s) on a research project.

  5. Prepare a grant proposal with a member of the University of St. Thomas faculty.

  6. Collaborate with faculty member(s) to develop a new course (or sequence of courses) in the field of Applied Mathematics.
  7. (Co-)Organize a conference or workshop in some area of Applied Mathematics.

The responsibilities of the Visitor may be appended and negotiated as other duties or tasks become apparent.

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Financial/Institutional Support

In return for performing some of the duties described in the Visitor Responsibilities section, the CAM Visitor will receive various types of support. All
Visitors will receive a stipend. The amount of the stipend will depend on the length of the visit, the qualifications of the Visitor and the availability of funds.
Funding is also contingent on the scope of the visit. The following is a list of the various ways the Visitor may be compensated or supported:

Semester Visitor

The Semester Visitor is given the title of Visiting (Associate/Assistant) Professor. This title allows the University to recognize the Visitor's achievements
in the field while administering the stipend and others benefits according to the existing disbursement system. The amount of financial remuneration to the
Visitor is based on the individual's qualifications.

It is to be understood that the semester stipend listed above is only available to the Visitor who is not drawing a salary from their current employer for
the dates of the visit. In the case that the Visitor is being paid by another employer for the time spent at the CAM, a reduced award is suggested. It is clear
that additional costs beyond basic living expenses will be incurred by the Visitor (moving expenses, payments for two dwellings, etc.), so it is proposed
that CAM will provide a fair award to cover such extraneous costs. Such cases will be handled on an individual basis.

Extended/Summer Visitor

The Extended/Summer Visitor is considered a consultant by University of St. Thomas standards. The stipend is $600-$900 per week for up to 6
weeks. The amount of financial remuneration is based on the Visitor's qualifications. This stipend will also cover travel costs to and from the University of
St. Thomas.

Short Term Visitor

The stipend for the Short Term Visitor is $300 plus airfare and accommodations.

Office Space/Computer Facilities
The UST Mathematics department will provide office space, a computer and a computer account for visitors.

Miscellaneous Funds
Because the Semester Visitor performs many various tasks that require miscellaneous supplemental funding (i.e., software, photocopying, books,
etc) the following restrictions and monetary guidelines apply:

$1500 for books, photocopying, software and other basic supplies.
$3000 for student wages.
$1000 for Visitor travel

The Visitor travel money is only available for the Visitor to present a paper that is co-authored by a UST faculty member or student. The travel
money is also available when the Visitor accompanies a student to a conference where the student is presenting work done by the student and
Visitor. In the case of the student presenting a paper at a conference, the CAM covers the student's travel expenses.

Note: All equipment, software, books, etc., purchased with the CAM funds will remain the property of either the CAM, the Department of Mathematics
or the University of St. Thomas.

The CAM will not support any travel by Extended Visitors. $1500 will be available for student wages on undergraduate research projects supervised by
the Visitor and a $500 fund is available to the Visitor for purchasing necessary software and basic supplies. It is not anticipated that the Short-Term
Visitor will need any type of supplemental funds. In the case that the Visitor requires a book, software, or some basic supplies, the CAM will determine
whether the request merits financial support.

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The Application Process

In this final section we will describe the application process.

Semester Visitor/Extended Visitor

It is expected that the typical Semester Visitor will come to the University of St. Thomas for either the Fall Semester or the Spring Semester of an
academic school year. In special cases, the visit can be extended to include the summer preceding a fall semester visit or a summer following a spring
semester visit. In the case of a Fall semester visit, your application pack must be received at the CAM no later than March 31 (or the last Friday preceding
March 31 should this date be a Saturday or Sunday) in the same calendar year as the visit. In the case of a Spring semester visit, your application pack
must be received at the CAM no later than October 31 (or the last Friday preceding March 31 should this date be a Saturday or Sunday) in the same
calendar year as the visit. Links to the application packets appear below.

In order to apply for a Semester Visitor position, you must have a University of St. Thomas faculty sponsor. This faculty member will work with you to
prepare your proposal and outline the activities of your visit. For information regarding UST Mathematics Department members, please follow the links
under the top menu category People.

Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed by a committee consisting of UST Mathematics Faculty members and the Director of the CAM.
You will be notified within 2 weeks after the appropriate deadline and informed whether your proposal has been accepted.

Click on the appropriate links below to retrieve Semester Visitor and Extended Visitor Application Packets.

For a Semester Visitor Application Packet, click here.

For an Extended Visitor Application Packet,click here.

Short Term Visitor

There is no deadline for a Short Term Visitor application. If you are interested in visiting UST, please contact either the CAM Director or a UST
Mathematics Department member and describe the nature and activities of your visit. Upon approval of the CAM Director and existence of available funds,
we will begin processing the necessary paperwork so that you may visit UST.

 

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