Jene Thomas – General Assignment Reporter 

Instead of the old run of the mill summer job, students of Southern Connecticut State University now have the opportunity to obtain an undergraduate grant to conduct research outside of classes during the summer.

The program, initiated by President Mary A. Papazian, is launched from the Provost’s office and offers five students compensation for conducting research in their field of study. After studying the correlation between substance abuse and personality disorders, recent recipient, Alyssa Battipaglia, will be compensated $3000. Sure does sound better than working at the local pizzeria for minimum wage and tips.

Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Marianne D. Kennedy, says, “By providing financial assistance to students to carry out their research during the summer, we hope they can work less in jobs unrelated to their academic and career goals, and spend more time engaged in learning.”

Like Battipaglia, many students…