Frequently Asked Questions
Corporate FAQS
Q: How do I Join CHRM?
A: To join CHRM, contact, Jean Drasgow
at jdrasgow@uiuc.edu or (217) 333-0981.
Q: Why should I join CHRM?
A: CHRM benefits include:
- Learning HR Best Practices from colleagues' experiences and research.
- Networking with other HR executives.
- Continuing education through semi-annual roundtable events and HR Teleconference throughout the academic year.
- Opportunity to interact with faculty that are experts in the HR field from multiple disciplines including Organizational Behavior, Strategy, Psychology, Speech Communications, Business Administration and Social Work.
- User-friendly research report summaries
- Access to University internship and employment candidates (when recruiting at ILIR, CHRM members are allowed a 75-25 pre-select ratio for interviewees.)
- CHRM-Network usage where you may ask colleagues about their problems and how they solved them.
- First-hand participation in applied workplace research
Testimonials:
With the On-going research analysis and dialogue provided through CHRM academic-business partnership, human resource professionals can access an effective forum and tool for keeping HR practices both competitive and practical.
Joan Crockett, Senior Vice President, HR Allstate Insurance Company.
There are three very tangible benefits I derive from CHRM. First, the organization provides access to recognized experts and thought leaders who provide in-depth analysis of current issues facing HR professionals. Second, it provides the opportunity to participate and have access to top notch academic research on labor and human resource issues. Finally, CHRM provides an opportunity to meet and network with other senior human resource professionals in a relaxed atmosphere. Most importantly, all three benefits are provided at a very low investment of time and resources.
Brian Cook, Vice President, HR USG
CHRM has allowed me to establish invaluable business relationships. And the opportunity to engage in applied research with leading edge academics is extraordinary.
Jim Abolt, Vice President, HR, Trilogy
I have found the investment in our membership at the Center to be quite valuable. The association has enabled me to stay close to important issues and able to partner with faculty strongly interested in solving the real-world problems I face through their research and consulting.
Kevin Nilan, Manager, HR Operations, 3M
Q: How much does it cost to be a member firm?
A: Membership is easy. Who else belongs to CHRM? Membership is an annual contribution of $7,500 to the
University of Illinois Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization). The potential
value that you gain far exceeds that of similar corporate-management/university
partnerships across the United States. Annual partner contributions support
the costs of research, Roundtables, and Center publications and activities.
Q: Which faculty member would be most suited for my research
need?
A: An interdisciplinary body of faculty are involved in CHRM. Please contact
Jean Drasgow at (jdrasgow@uiuc.edu) or (217) 333-0981 if you are seeking a
faculty member with specific expertise or a research interest.
Faculty FAQs
Q: How do I as a faculty member participate in CHRM?
A: Faculty at the University of Illinois are invited to participate in CHRM.
To be included on a mailing list of Center announcements and activities,
contact Jean Drasgow at jdrasgow@uiuc.edu or (217) 333-0981. The primary
investigator of all CHRM projects must be a University of Illinois faculty
member.
Q: I am interested in sending CHRM a proposal, how can I maximize
the chances of being funded?
A: To increase your odds of getting a research
proposal funded, faculty are encouraged to do the following:
- Discover if your research idea has practical merit with the member organizations. Partners attend the roundtables, which are an optimal time to discuss one-on-one your research idea with a practitioner. Each proposal must pass the "partner litmus test" to be awarded.
- Ensure that your proposal has sound scientific methodology, will add to the body of knowledge and is applied research. The purpose of the Center is to fund applied HR research for the immediate benefit of partner firms.
- Ask for a reasonable amount of money. Typically the Center funds proposals that are in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.
- Seek larger external grant money. Proposals that have a high probability of leading to larger projects funded by external grants or that leverage other external grants and contracts will be given priority.
- If you are still unsure, share your proposal with Center Co-Directors, Fritz Drasgow or Darold Barnum for feedback.
Student FAQs
Q: As a student at the University of Illinois, what can the
Center do for me?
A: CHRM allows students to work with faculty on research projects. Students
may not be primary investigators. CHRM members may present in classes and serve
as informal mentors to students.