Purpose

To provide a challenging learning opportunity for undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about contemporary issues in Animal Agriculture, improving their communication skills, and sharing their thoughts, opinions and findings with the scientific community.

Who Can Participate?

Undergraduate students of colleges and universities that participate in the Midwest ASAS/ADSA meetings. Any number of students may participate from each college or university. Students participating in the Contemporary Issues Competition Papers may also participate in Academic Quadrathlon and/or Undergraduate Competition paper activities. Students do not need to be animal science majors or members of ASAS or ADSA to participate.

What Does Participation in the Contemporary Issues Competition Involve?

Undergraduate students interested in participating must submit the title and a descriptive paragraph to the Chairman of the Student Activities and Programs Committee (SAPC) by November 1, 1997. Students must identify a faculty, graduate student and/or industry sponsor, and are encouraged to work closely with the sponsor when developing the paper and preparing for the oral presentation. Students are required to write and present original work using appropriate references from the scientific and non-scientific literature. Papers are to be from 10 to 15 pages in length, typed, double spaced, and follow Journal of Animal Science Guidelines and Format for manuscript preparation. (A copy of these guidelines will be provided after receiving the paper submission form.) On February 15, 1998, six copies of the final paper must be received by the Chair of the SAPC. A copy of each paper and score sheets will be sent to members of SAPC for evaluation. On March 16, 1998, papers will be presented orally at the Des Moines Convention Center in the evening prior to the AQ Quiz Bowl finals of the Midwest ASAS/ADSA meeting. Members of the SAPC will score oral presentations and select the first, second, and third place winners. Winners will be announced during the AQ awards presentation on Monday evening, and also recognized at the Wednesday morning awards breakfast. All students who submit a written paper conforming to these guidelines and present the paper at the Midwest ASAS/ADSA annual meeting will receive a certificate of participation. The first-, second-, and third-place winners will receive $300, $200, and $100 scholarships, respectively, and plaques.

1. Faculty at colleges and universities in the Midwest Section of ASAS and ADSA are encouraged to publicize and promote a new undergraduate student activity at the Midwest ASAS/ADSA meetings called "Contemporary Issues Competition Papers." Faculty members and/or graduate students are encouraged to serve as mentors/advisors of undergraduate students who wish to participate in this program. This program may be of particular interest to students in non-land-grant colleges and universities who may have limited opportunities to participate in traditional laboratory- or animal-based research projects but have an interest in exploring and researching livestock industry issues.
2. During this first year, there are no restrictions on number of students participating per institution. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the number of undergraduate student events in which an individual student may participate (i.e. AQ team, Undergraduate Competition papers and Contemporary Issues Competition papers).
3. Students do not need to be animal science majors or members of ASAS or ADSA to participate.
4. Students interested in participating must submit the title and a descriptive paragraph to the Chair of the Student Activities and Placement Committee by November 1, 1997. When submission forms are completed, they must indicate "Undergraduate Contemporary Issues Competition Paper."
5. Students must identify a faculty, graduate student and/or industry sponsor, and are encouraged to work closely with the sponsor when researching and writing the paper as well as preparing for the oral presentation.
6. Students, along with input from faculty/graduate student sponsors, are expected to identify a contemporary issue to research and use to prepare a report. Topic selection is worth 10 pts. of the total evaluation score. A copy of the evaluation criteria and score sheet that will be used to evaluate the papers is provided.
7. Students are required to write and present original work using appropriate references from the scientific and non-scientific literature.
8. Papers are to be from 10 to 15 pages in length, typed, double spaced, and follow Journal of Animal Science Guidelines and Format for manuscript preparation. (A copy of these guidelines will be provided to each student after receiving their descriptive paragraph on November 1, 1997.) Data, graphics, and supporting visual materials should be included if they support the arguments and issues being presented and are included in the 15-page maximum.
9. Papers written by students as part of course work requirements are acceptable as long as they meet the guidelines described in rules 4-7. Faculty who teach capstone courses, honors courses or senior seminars are encouraged to help identify students and encourage them to participate in this activity.
10. All students who submit a written paper conforming to these guidelines, and present the paper at the Midwest ASAS/ADSA annual meeting, will receive a certificate of participation. The first-, second-, and third-place winners will receive $300, $200, and $100 scholarships, respectively, along with a plaque.
11. Five oral presentations will be given prior to the final AQ Quiz Bowl Competition on Monday evening, March 16, 1998. Each presentation will be 12 minutes in length, with 3 minutes allotted for questions from the audience.
12. Any questions and comments related to this new student activity should be directed to:
    

    Dr. Jerry Shurson
    Chair, Student Activities and Programs Committee
    Department of Animal Science
    335d Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Bldg.
    University of Minnesota
    St. Paul, MN 55108
    Phone: (612) 624-2764
    Fax: (612) 625-1210
    E-mail: gshurson@mes.umn.edu

	Score
Topic Selection (10 pts.) Is it a significant issue? How well is topic selection justified? Does the introduction get the readers'/listeners' attention? Is the topic broad in scope?	____
Content Quality (30 pts.) Is the information presented factual? Are different viewpoints of the issue adequately discussed? Are appropriate references used? Were data, graphics and visuals used appropriately?	____
Strength of Argument (20 pts.) Is there a clear position or message? Are appropriate arguments used to persuade the reader/audience? Do concluding remarks relate to introduction and justification?	____
Writing Skills (10 pts.) Was there appropriate use of grammar, organization and sentence structure?	____
Oral Communication Skills (30 pts.) Poise and confidence Quality of visuals Effectiveness of presentation Ability to answer questions	____
TOTAL SCORE	____