Establishing the Mentor-Student Relationship

Each student will have a primary mentor and may have additional mentors, as dictated by the nature of the project. Two key initial steps in establishing a successful mentor-student relationship are the selection of a mentor by the student and reaching agreement on the terms of the collaboration by mentor and students.

The objective of this phase of the Emphasis Program is to assist the students in identifying a mentor and project. They will have the guidance of the faculty emphasis advisors during this period.

During the first semester, students progress from a consideration of all areas, through a phase of focusing on one or two areas, to the ultimate step of selecting an area, project and mentor.

A series of faculty committees have been formed around each Emphasis area. These committees have the task of placing students in contact with potential faculty mentors. Students may also approach faculty independently to request that they serve as their mentors.

Some students will already have a very clear idea of a project; for them, the process may move very quickly. Others will have less clear ideas, or plans for a project that may not be feasible, based on the availability of suitable faculty to serve as mentors, time or other factors relating to the particular scope of the proposed project.

Area heads and faculty who agree to serve as mentors must be prepared to help students develop a plan that is feasible and can be accomplished in the time allotted.

To reach agreement on the terms of the collaboration, the student will draft an online document, known as the Student Mentor Final Agreement, after discussions with the mentor. The mentor will then endorse the agreement or suggest modifications. This document should capture the understanding mentors and students reach in their discussions of the planned project.