Peer Mentors assist First-Year Program faculty within their course and serve as advocates for the needs, interests, and rights of first-year students. The mentors will be involved in aspects of FYR 174 (Resources, Research, and Responsibilities) course instruction including syllabus planning, facilitating class discussions, and spending out-of-class time with students. The peer mentor role can include organizing social events, helping students connect with student groups on campus and explaining academic advisement and registration procedures.

You are eligible to apply for a First-Year Program Peer Mentor position if you meet or exceed the criteria listed below.

1. achieved at least sophomore standing
2. a GPA of 3.0 or above
3. a strong interest in helping students achieve academic success and become involved in university life
4. previous experience in the First-Year Program as a freshman or as a Peer Mentor is preferred, or
5. other community service experience indicating an ability to interact well with people and to follow through on commitments

PEER MENTOR CONTRACT

TO APPLY FOR A PEER MENTOR POSITION, please read this contract very carefully.  If you agree to the stated policies and responsibilities, complete the “Application” form (SEE LINK BELOW) and send it to Dale Dubina, First-Year Program, J. Eugene Smith Library.   If you wish, you can send the completed application via email to dubinad@easternct.edu.  Just attach a copy of the completed word document application form to your email.  Upon receipt, your application will be reviewed and at the discretion of the First-Year Program staff, you will be called in for an interview.  NOTE:  You cannot sign up for FYR 310 until you have been interviewed and accepted into the program.   Your signature is not required at the time you submit this application.

PLEASE NOTE: All PEER MENTORS INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM ARE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FORM AND IF APPROVED, ENROLL IN FYR 310. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT EXPERIENCED PEER MENTORS CAN HELP TRAIN THOSE WITH NO EXPERIENCE.

PEER MENTOR POLICIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES-GENERAL INFORMATION

Peer Mentors will receive a sum of $300 for participating in training sessions (see below) and freshmen “Welcome Weekend.” All Peer Mentors must enroll in FYR 310-First-Year Program Peer Mentor, a two-credit course (view course description) held during the fall semester. The FYR 310 faculty member in consultation with the FYR 174 instructor will assign each peer mentor a letter grade for the course.

ALL PEER MENTORS MUST AGREE TO AND OR PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING:

1. Attend two formal training sessions with FYP faculty scheduled from 1:30 to 3:00 PM on May 22, 2008 and from 1:30 to 3:00 PM on August 25 .
2. Between August 25 and September 1, there will be one to two days of training taken in conjunction with the RA’s. The exact time is still to be arranged.
3. Under the guidance of your FYR 310 instructor and the Director of the First-Year Program, you will plan and carry out an activity with the First-Year Program students during the fall “Welcome Weekend.”  At most, this will be a 3–4 hour event occurring sometime between August 29 and 31. 
4. All Peer Mentors are required to take FYR 310 (First-Year Program Peer Mentor), a course that has two components.  The coursework component meets every other Monday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM during the semester.  It is designed to continue to provide the peer mentors with the skills required to help new students become proficient in using the academic and support resources of the university. Topics such as critical thinking, academic honesty, responding to student writing, facilitating class discussions, leadership skills, developing effective tutoring techniques, navigating the campus computing network, making use of library resources, and promoting a culture of mutual respect in and out of the classroom will be the core of the mentoring course. The class will offer the students a forum to discuss and assess their individual successes and problems as mentors. Assignments may include the following: 
   • Assigned readings followed by classroom discussion
   • Reflective essays to be created throughout the semester as a way to record experiences, mentoring, teaching, and working with instructors
   • One research paper
5. The other FYR 310 course component is based on the Peer Mentors’ performance as a mentor. Peer Mentors are required to meet weekly with the First-Year Program faculty members they are assisting. Of course, a Peer Mentor will attend the weekly FYR class to which he/she has been assigned. These requirements will be monitored by both the FYR 310 instructor and the FYR 174 instructor.
6. Mentors are required to meet with their students at least twice during the semester outside of the classroom.This will require active organization by the peer mentor.
7. Mentors are required to attend all cluster activities.
8. Mentors are encouraged to involve their cluster in campus cultural activities.
9. Mentors will uphold all the rules and regulations of the University, including academic integrity, in order to serve as role models for first year students.
10. Mentors will maintain strict confidentiality about information shared between the Peer Mentor and students and with the Cluster instructors. Any problematic or critical concerns expressed by students in the FYR will be discussed with the FYR instructor.
11. Mentors will work as a team with their Cluster instructors, mentees, and fellow mentors. They will fulfill their responsibilities with respect and consideration for all team members. They will maintain the relationship of“mentor” to all their mentees.
12. The letter grade for FYR 310 will be determined by your FYR 310 instructor in consultation with your FYR 174 course instructor

TO APPLY:

If you wish to apply electronically, please download the following Microsoft Word version of the application. If sending the application electronically, please make sure to attach the completed file in your e-mail. You may also print and mail the application to the office.

Peer Mentor Application- Word document

If you wish to print and mail the application to the office, please use the following pdf. document.

Peer Mentor Application- pdf.