I have to agree that using “REU” for these courses is both misleading and
disingenuous. I’ve read through three of these course descriptions and I can’t
find “REU” or corresponding words anywhere in the text.
Given this, it’s more than fair to ask exactly what “REU” is supposed to
mean here. As Mitch Cruzan noted, there is a federal REU program (Research
Experiences for Undergraduates) which has been advertised on this list by
several major universities, including UNM, University of Minnesota, CUNY, and
others. By contrast, this “Institute” seems to be run out of a private
residence in the north suburbs of Gainesville, with no apparent university
connection.
The fact that we have to question the basics of a post like this raises a
lot of red flags for me. I think Ecolog would be much improved if misleading
advertisements like these simply weren’t posted here at all. If I were an
undergraduate I’d be confused about whether this “institute” is legitimate and
whether any "credits" would actually transfer to my home university.
Undergraduates and young professionals would be better served if this sort of
deceptive material wasn't circulated to the list.
- J. A.
