Responsibilities for Mentors & Student

Mentor Responsibilities

Good mentors demonstrate a willingness to accept each student as a unique individual, both in the discourse of communication and empathetic understanding.  There is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Special attention should be directed to the well-being of the student and to overcoming barriers to learning. In particular:   

• Mentors understand that students come from varied backgrounds and have wide-ranging experiences and views that will impact their perspectives; good mentors will seek to understand these diverse views and perspectives, in order to build trust and create a comfortable working environment for all. As part of this environment, a sense of mutual respect should be established between the mentor and the student.
   
• Mentors encourage students to maintain a healthy balance between their university work and their lives external to the university; this includes respecting students’ need for time to pursue activities that support their physical and mental health, and their social and family responsibilities.
   
• Mentors are aware of campus resources that support students -- from Student Health to the Graduate Student Resource Center – and encourage students to take advantage of these resources as needed.
   
• Mentors and mentees are encouraged to communicate directly with one another if there is a conflict. Sometimes, however, this might not be possible because of power differences (e.g., the conflict is about the mentor, and the mentee worries about possible consequences for their career if it is addressed directly). In these situations, the mentee should communicate their concerns to the department graduate director and/or department chair. The mentee and/or the mentor also have the right to seek outside counsel (e.g., Graduate Division, Title IX, Office of the Ombuds) to help settle the dispute. Both the department and those outside the department should understand the sensitivity of the situation and maintain the confidentiality of everyone involved.
   
• Mentors and mentees also have a responsibility to inform each other as soon as possible if there is a potential change in their employment. For instance, if a mentor is no longer able to support a student on a grant, they should let the graduate student know. The mentor should also clearly articulate the type of work that is expected on a project.