Letter

To the university faculty:

The Committee for the Hatfield Fund to Enhance Undergraduate Economics Education is seeking proposals in support of faculty members who propose innovative ways of strengthening the teaching of economics to undergraduate students.

The guidelines for projects are intentionally broad. We are inviting proposals that will 1. encourage the use of technology (including distance learning) in the classroom, 2. promote change in the pedagogy of economics education, 3. create case studies for examination of the major issues facing our economic system, 4. bring real world authorities as classroom speakers and seminar leaders (either directly or indirectly using distance learning methods) and/or 5. offer actual field experiences, including research projects, designed to expose participating students and faculty to the complexities of economic decision-making.

This year we have approximately $50,000 to distribute to faculty-initiated projects. We are particularly interested in proposals that stretch across the university, creating connections among the many avenues through which economics education is offered. Typical proposals in the past have been funded at the $5,000 to $10,000 level for one year. The committee is prepared to consider, and wishes to encourage, larger innovative projects that might include multi-year funding requests.

Proposals need not be longer than three or four pages and should include a detailed projection of expenses. If you have any questions about a potential project, please feel free to contact one of the committee members listed below. Proposals should be submitted to Maureen Updike, 436 Day Hall, 255-4395 or mou1@cornell.edu , no later than March 30, 1999. The committee will award grants by the end of April.

Hatfield committee members, phone numbers and e-mail addresses (@cornell.edu):

--Steven Carvell, 255-8369, sac20
--David Easley, 255-6283, dae3
--Don Kenkel, 255-2594, dsk10
--Greg Poe, 255-4707, glp2