Mentoring Access Program
- What is the Mentoring Access Program (MAP)?
- How Does MAP Work?
- Mentees
- Mentors
- Key Dates
- Privacy & Disclosure
What is the Mentoring Access Program (MAP)?
For new students the transition to University can be an exciting but also a daunting experience. Making new friends, locating classes and understanding terminology such as “credit points” and “co-requisites” can be challenging.
The University of Sydney Mentoring Access Program (MAP) links new students with a disability (Mentees) with a current student with a disability (Mentor) studying in the same Faculty. It aims to assist new students with a disability (Mentees) with their transition to studying at the University of Sydney.
A Mentor is a more skilled or experienced person who offers information, support, advice and guidance to facilitate the learning and development of a less experienced person (Mentee).
Benefits of Mentoring
Peer mentoring can benefit both the Mentor as well as the Mentee, although the benefits received will vary from individual to individual.
Mentees may develop a range of skills and receive a variety of benefits from being a Mentee including:
- The development of new friendships and widened social networks;
- Knowledge of academic and student support services at the University of Sydney;
- Knowledge of Faculty specific information including the website;
- A minimised sense of isolation as a new student;
- Improved communication and teamwork skills;
- Increased confidence in personal abilities;
- Increased engagement with Faculty; and
- Improved study skills.
How Does MAP Work?
Disability Services will match Mentors and Mentees according to the faculty they are studying in.
First Meeting
At the one hour start up meeting in O-Week, Mentors and Mentees will meet one another face-to-face for the first time. At this meeting it is expected that both the Mentor and the Mentees will exchange information about themselves including their expectations of the mentoring relationship as well as negotiate the parameters of their mentoring relationship.
At this first meeting, Mentors and Mentees will need to discuss the following:
- Their background including their degree and faculty and their interests
- Their individual expectations of the mentoring relationship
- The frequency and duration of the mentoring relationship
- The issue of privacy including developing a Code of Practice for the Mentor Group
Subsequent Meetings
Two subsequent meetings between Mentors and Mentees should occur as agreed at their first meeting. These should then be followed by a final one hour round up meeting between the Mentor and their Mentor Group.
Changing Mentors
While every effort is made to find a good match between Mentor and Mentees, occasionally mentoring relationships are not successful. If, after the first one or two meetings, the mentoring relationship is not developing satisfactorily, please inform Disability Services. Please note that students can withdraw from MAP or request a different Mentor (if available) at any time.
Support Provided By Disability Services
Disability Services will:
- Match Mentors and Mentees according to Faculty.
- Ensure contact details are treated confidentially according to the University of Sydney Privacy Policy.
- Ensure Mentors and Mentees are aware of their role and responsibilities before and during the mentoring relationship.
- Monitor all mentoring relationships through regular contact with Mentors and Mentees and provide assistance where required.
Mentees
Eligibility to be a Mentee
Students registered with Disability Services are eligible to be a Mentee if they:
- Are commencing first year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney;
- Have recently changed Faculties or disciplines at the University of Sydney; and/or
- Have recently transferred from another tertiary institution.
Responsibilities of Mentees
Mentees will be expected to:
- Participate in the one hour start up meeting in O-Week;
- Attend two x one hour Mentor Group meetings;
- Participate in the final one hour round up meeting;
- Discuss their expectations of the mentoring relationship with the Mentor and the Mentor Group;
- Provide feedback to the Mentor about how the mentoring is going;
- Inform Disability Services about any concerns they have about their mentoring relationship;
- Ask their Mentor as many questions as required to assist their transition to University;
- Respond promptly to their Mentor when contacted by them;
- Inform the Disability Services Manager and their Mentor if their contact details change;
- Respect the culture and beliefs of their Mentor and other members of their Mentor Group;
- Not ask their Mentor for copies of their assignments or money;
- Not engage in any inappropriate or illegal activities with their Mentor;
- Remember that their Mentor is not a trained counselor or personal tutor;
- Be flexible; and
- Enjoy the time they spend with their Mentors and Mentor Group.
Qualities of Good Mentees
Qualities of good Mentees include the following:
- Commitment to MAP;
- Asking their Mentor as many questions as required to assist their transition to University;
- Being open-minded to opportunities and new experiences; and
- Communicating openly.
Discontinuation or Termination of Mentee Role
Mentees will be excluded from MAP based on harassment, unacceptable, violent or abusive behaviour. The Disability Services Manager will assess the validity of any complaints. If the Disability Services Manager believes that a complaint is justified she will inform the student of this in writing. Any appeals are then to be directed to the Head Social Inclusion and Equity Support in writing.
Mentors
Eligibility to be a Mentor
Students registered with Disability Services are eligible to be a Mentor if they:
- Have successfully completed at least one year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney;
- Are currently enrolled at the University of Sydney;
- Are willing to share their experiences with new students with a disability; and
- Are willing to attend training and regular meetings with their Mentees.
Role of Mentors
The role of Mentors is to assist in the transition to University for their Mentees. In particular, it is the role of Mentors to:
- Share their experiences as a first year student with their Mentees including the ways they overcame any barriers they experienced;
- Help their Mentees understand how to access resources at the University of Sydney; and
- Listen to any difficulties their Mentees encounter and refer students to appropriate support services.
It is NOT the role of Mentors to:
- Provide tutoring or counseling;
- Provide academic advice;
- Be a romantic partner; and/or
- Be a lending institution.
Responsibilities of Mentors
Mentors will be expected to:
- Attend and participate in the training provided by Disability Services;
- Participate in the one hour start up meeting in O-Week;
- Organise and attend two one hour Mentor Group meetings;
- Participate in the final one hour round up meeting and with the new Mentor Group of students for second intake;
- Provide general information to Mentees about academic, social and welfare issues as required;
- Provide accurate and relevant information about their Faculty to the Mentees;
- Ensure regular contact is maintained with their Mentees;
- Refer their Mentees to relevant University Services as required;
- Encourage Mentees to seek assistance from the University of Sydney staff for serious issues and/or academic support;
- Act as a positive role model for the University of Sydney and MAP;
- Inform the Disability Services Manager if there are problems or concerns so that they may be resolved as quickly as possible;
- Recognise personal boundaries and the need to exercise discretion in dealing with difficult issues;
- Maintain privacy;
- Respect the culture and belief of their Mentees;
- Not encourage Mentees to engage in any inappropriate activities or in any form of illegal behaviour (e.g. drug use);
- Provide regular feedback to the Disability Services Manager on their activities within MAP; and
- Enjoy the time they spend with their Mentees.
Qualities of Good Mentors
Qualities of good Mentors include the following:
- Commitment to MAP;
- Willingness to share knowledge and experience of being a first year student at the University of Sydney;
- Listening with empathy and being non-judgmental;
- Observing privacy;
- Being patient and encouraging;
- Maintaining appropriate boundaries; and
- Viewing MAP as an opportunity to share experiences to assist Mentees in their transition to University.
Training
All Mentors must attend the training provided by Disability Services before they can be linked with Mentees. The hands on training provided will cover the following areas:
- The role, rights and responsibilities of Mentors;
- Building rapport with Mentees;
- Privacy and disclosure, including personal boundaries; and
- Referral and access to relevant services at the University of Sydney.
Discontinuation or Termination of Mentor Role
Mentors will be excluded from MAP based on harassment, unacceptable, violent or abusive behaviour. The Disability Services Manager will assess the validity of any complaints. If the Disability Services Manager believes that a complaint is justified she will inform the student of this in writing. Any appeals are then to be directed to the Head Social Inclusion and Equity Support in writing.
How Do I Become a Mentor?
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor and you fit the above criteria, please contact the Disability Services Manager, Mary Teague on 8627 8433.
Key Dates
Mentor Training
Date: 17 February 2009, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Venue: Student Administration and Support Reception, Level 5 Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
MAP Introductory Meeting
Date: 24 February 2009, 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Student Administration and Support Reception, Level 5 Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
Mentor and Mentee Meetings
Dates: Determined by participants
MAP Round Up Meeting
Date: Week 4
Venue: Student Administration and Support Reception, Level 5 Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
Privacy & Disclosure
Code of Practice
Disability Services expects Mentors and Mentees to adhere to the following Code of Practice:
- Privacy is to be maintained at all times including personal contact details and information
- Mentors and Mentees are to treat each other with respect and courtesy at all times
- Personal safety during meetings is to be maintained at all times
- The fulfillment of all agreed responsibilities.
As Mentors it is paramount that participants privacy is protected at all times. This includes the personal contact details and any other personal information of those in your Mentor Group. University email addresses can be used for communicating independent meeting times.
Disclosure
Although it is expected that the mentor group will discuss disability issues, the communication of personal information and experience is at the discretion of individual participants. Participation in the program alerts participants to the fact that those involved have a disability, discussion around this should be handled sensitively.
All information that is discussed by the Mentor Group should be treated as confidential and the code of practice for the individual groups should be established in the introductory meeting. We recommend that the code of practice be expanded to include more specific information that is decided upon as a whole group.
It is also important as Mentors that you recognise personal boundaries as your role as a Mentor should never preclude you from doing well in your studies or personal commitments.