Message from the Chair...
The Council of Undergraduate Psychology Programs (CUPP) is
an organization that was established in 1989 to promote quality undergraduate
education in psychology. CUPP provides forums for discussion of matters of
interest and concern to undergraduate programs in psychology and has also been
a source of assistance to those who chair or coordinate the activities of these
programs. CUPP's regional and national representatives also serve as
undergraduate education advocates on a variety of boards, committees, and task
forces, and at regional and national conferences.
The Council sponsors symposia, panels, and speakers at
regional and national meetings. CUPP national presentations at APA's annual
convention have focused on topics such as legal issues influencing departmental
policy, the use of student input in departmental policy-making, and methods of
recruitment, development and retention of quality faculty. We frequently
organize conference sessions that provide member psychology departments an
opportunity to feature and share the special ways in which they try to enhance
undergraduate education in psychology.
Recent session topics have included innovative advising strategies,
unique experiential learning opportunities, pre-professional development
activities, career guidance efforts, service learning projects, creative
curriculum, or other ways in which their program is striving to better prepare
students.
The Council provides representatives in discussion of
national policy, collaborating with other organizations with similar goals and
interests. We have worked cooperatively with the Society for the Teaching of
Psychology, Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology, Psi Chi, and APA's
Education Directorate. CUPP has been called on to represent undergraduate
education by the APA and has a representative on the Board of Educational
Affairs.
Our newsletter has included articles related to the
operation of departments, addressing such topics as changes in chairperson
responsibilities, methods of developing departmental morale, and tools to
integrate diverse elements of the major. Our website includes resources for
departmental reviews and other information relevant to the operations of a
department of psychology.
More importantly for many, we provide a way to communicate
with others about our concerns and offer a network by which to seek assistance
from others who face similar problems in trying to provide first-rate
undergraduate education in psychology.
If you are interested in joining or would like more
information send me an e-mail.
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA