<p>At UVa, professors encourage undergrad students to conduct research and act as mentors for them:
<a href="http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2004/19/fac_senate.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2004/19/fac_senate.html</a></p>
<p>Here's a link about an undergrad who used the research opportunities at UVa to create a new simplified sign language for mute children and adults or those with limited speech capabilities.
<a href="http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2001/18/kissane.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2001/18/kissane.html</a></p>