For Faculty

While a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Team provides valuable research experience for undergraduate students, it can also operate as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary enterprise. While some students focus on technical research, others manage essential business and creative services, including graphic design, web and application development, public relations, and market research. 

As your team matures, experienced students will naturally transition into leadership roles—mentoring new members and leading sub-task meetings. This peer-leadership model significantly boosts productivity and allows your team to scale. When reviewing and "hiring" applicants, keep the long-term sustainability of each part of your project in mind.

VIP Teams do not have to be strictly academic or research-based. They can be established for a wide variety of pursuits, such as an entrepreneurial initiative to automate an administrative function or a student service.

Ultimately, our goal is to offer students a diverse array of multidisciplinary team experiences that mirror a professional work environment. Your VIP Team should be a space that reflects your unique interests and passions, whatever they may be.

To start a VIP team, please complete and submit the VIP Team Information Form. You can also find this form under the faculty menu.

Team Requirement and Scope

• Project Scope: Projects should have an inital score of 3 to 5 years.
• Description: Keep the description general enough to allow your team's goals to evolve. You can edit this information at any time.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: Projects must involve students from two or more majors.

Next Steps After Submission

Within 48 hours of submission, you will receive an email with further instructions. In most cases, this email will confirm that your team is approved and is live on the website.

• Schedule Weekly Meeting: Using the VIP Team Meeting Scheduling Tool to select a 53-minute time slot. You can request a specific meeting room if you have one, or we can assign a room to you.
• Course Assignment: Once your meeting time is submitted, you will be assigned a matching section number for the following courses in the next available term: VIP 295, 395, 396, 495, 496, 595, 596, and 696.
  • These courses meet together at the same time and place for 53 minutes each week during the Fall and Spring terms.

Student Application and Admissions

Students can apply to join a VIP for the Fall or Spring terms.

• Application Window: Applications are open continuously, except during the first month of each term. You may request to close applications for your team early.
• Reviewing Applicants: Log into the Team Management Area to review applications and make admission decisions
• Timeline: Please review applications as early as possible so that students you are unable to admit have time to apply to alternate teams.

Grading and Team Management

Please review the Generic VIP Syllabus for grading standards and course details. You can also download the Word Document version of the VIP Syllabus to customize it for your team.

We are actively developing new tools for online peer evaluations and other functions. Our goal is to minimize course management overhead so you can focus on the experience and productivity of the team. With a small initial investment, mentoring a VIP Team is a highly productive and rewarding experience.