The 2009 Mentor Preparation Program Jim Elliott START Manager Ebonee Lynch START Outreach Officer

1. The 2009 Mentor Preparation Program Jim ElliottSTART ManagerEbonee LynchSTART Outreach Officer While you’re waiting – introduce yourself to three people you don’t already know

2. Handouts you should have… • The 2009 Student Mentor Handbook – if you need a new one • Today’s program • The agenda for your meeting with your staff coordinator • The Mentor Agreement (white) • Worksheet – Mentor / Mentee group activity • Mentor Program Brochures • Puzzle piece & group • Your name tag • Photo Talent Release Form - circulating

3. Today’s program • 9:00 Introduction and Welcome Mentee feedback • 9:30 Mentor / Mentee relationships (groups): • Communication • Specific tasks • Role definition • 10:15 Tea break • 10:30 Support services and E-Resources • 11: 00 Cultural diversity (scenario/group) • 11:30 Mentor group development What works Group models (Nursing, Comp Sc, MCCA) • 12: 00 Mentor Agreements (Administration) and ideas for 2010 • 12:30 Lunch and Department Meetings – Break off with individual staff members

4. What did they say??? Positive Negative

5. What they liked…

6. Helped you find your feet

7. Take the stress out of starting Uni!

8. They want to know course specific info They want to know Uni specific info What did they say? They want to know your experiences Student to student is more approachable

9. Fantastic Reports “My mentor was an excellent mentor. Bonnie helped me when ever I needed help whether it was tests, assignments, info about lectures or tutes. She always replied my emails (the day after!) and offered to meet up with our group during breaks she was always friendly and helpful”

10. Fantastic Reports “He was great. Always available ready to help and always smiling! A smile is all you need from time to time to get through the day” “She offered a lot of advice on what’s important; she’s helped me at all times and has given me a lot of confidence in the course”

12. Areas to work on… • Only when mentor available • Incorrect information • Remember their name!

13. Meet Face to Face

14. Group Meetings

15. Want to know what to ask you  tell them! • Keep in mind some of your Mentees are not present on O day / O Week • Study tips and course related info

16. Student Comments from the Evaluations • “No real explanation was ever given for what the mentors were there for or what help they could give” • “The student mentors did not seem to have the time or the effort to bother with us” • “I feel a little bad for my student mentor he tried so hard and I was the only one of his students that even replied to his emails, he certainly tried to do his job” • “Really only used him in the first 2 or 3 weeks but didn’t see him after first meeting maybe arrange a meet up in a couple of weeks after beginning as well”

17. Possible suggestions from Mentees Summarised from general comments made in the survey “Mentors need a checklist or areas they must address with mentees in O week” “Also mentors need to stick to their minimum hours of contact with their mentees at least…” “Rather than just contact us by email perhaps meet us during class right a the beginning of semester”

18. Something important to be aware of: Not all Mentees will need a Mentor: you may only receive contact from 1 or 2 out of your assigned Mentees you are still able to help these students! Mentees DO you read your emails, and they DO appreciate what you do!... We have the results to prove it!

19. Real Data From The Mentee Evaluations

20. The Impact of Mentors on decisions to persist at Curtin

22. Mentee / Mentor Relationship Group Activity

23. Aim: • A group led discussion to come to consensus and to share important parts of the mentor / mentee relationship based on first hand experience

24. Groups of 6 • You will need: • To nominate a speaker, and a scribe • A piece of butchers paper • A packet of markers

25. Your Task: Brainstorm using your experience and ideas on 3 Focus Points (15 mins to do this): What can you pass on to a new student as a Mentor? How do you do it? How do you give a good experience to first year students? What are your methods of communication AND how do you communicate effectively? And when?

26. First Step: Brainstorm each focus point (An example below) What can you pass on?

27. Next Step: Summarise key points in a table to share with fellow Mentors (10 mins to do this).

28. What's Next? • Report back to group key ideas • Write down the points important to you in your table

29. Hand in your table From here I will collate the information and summarise it and feedback to you.

30. A review of Curtin’s sources of help • It is important to be familiar with what is available….and to link your mentees to the right service in a timely way • As we discuss these, feel free to share your experiences of these services

31. The University Life Portal • http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/ - this page has: • A link to every support service offered at Curtin • A service finder, in case you are not sure which service you might need • You’ll find a link to this anywhere that has the “Don’t Drop Out, Drop in” button

32. The Learning Centre The Learning Centre Level 1, Library http://learningsupport.curtin.edu.au/home/index.cfm • Offers a range of seminars and workshops

33. Counselling ServicesLevel 2, Building 109Ph 9266 7850 • A free and confidential service. • Appointments are required but counsellors may be seen on short notice for emergencies • Includes a group program • http://counselling.curtin.edu.au/ • Disability Support Services are also located in the same area • http://disability.curtin.edu.au/

34. Health ServicesLevel 1, Building 109Ph 9266 7345 • Provides comprehensive general practice patient care plus overseas immunization. • http://healthservices.curtin.edu.au/

35. First Year ExperienceBuilding 102Ph 9266 4761 • The First Year Experience Coordinator (Kuda Sekete) supports new-to-Curtin students and is responsible for transition programs run each semester. • Also available for one to one chats, the FYEC can also refer you to other services on and off campus to support your life while at Uni. • Email - newtocurtin@curtin.edu.au

36. International Student AdvisersBuilding 102Ph 9266 2434isadviser@curtin.edu.au • For International students, we can assist with: • A smooth transition into university life (International Prep Week) • Personal issues • Academic concerns i.e. conditional status, struggling with units, course etc • Advice on how to handle complaints and grievances • Liaison between student and faculty or School (Course Coordinator, Unit Controller etc.) if you have problems explaining yourself • Any other situation that you are unhappy with or unsure of • http://connect.curtin.edu.au/isa/

37. Housing Services Building 103Phone 9266 4430 • Advice on all accommodation-related issues, eg, finding on-campus, off-campus and private sector accommodation, paying fees, transferring rooms. • http://housing.curtin.edu.au/

38. Curtin Careers Centre • Building 599 • Phone 9266 7802 • http://www.careers.curtin.edu.au/ • Support for any career-related issue – including course switching

39. Curtin Volunteers (CV!)Curtin Hub, Building 599Ph 9266 3954 • A non-profit, student-led organization that gives Curtin students and staff an opportunity to give back to the community through a huge range of rewarding programs and projects. • Extremely useful to help new students build a social network and improve conversational English • http://cv.curtin.edu.au/

40. Recreation@Curtin • Getting off your butt and being active is a top stress management tool • The new sports stadium offers a ton of activities in addition to existing facilities • Ph 9266 7052 • http://recreation.curtin.edu.au/

41. Curtin Business School students • CBS also offers a range of support services for CBS students • See See the Communication Skills Centre • Building 407, Room 202 • Phone 9266 3079 • http://www.business.curtin.edu.au/business/current-students/writing-and-study-skills-support

42. Financial information • Student Central, Building 101 • Phone 9266 2992 • http://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/ • Emergency Loans information: http://studentloans.curtin.edu.au/

43. Centrelink • Building 106 • Phone 132 490 • http://www.centrelink.gov.au/ • Contact page: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/contact_us/index.htm

44. Ethics, Equity and Social Justice • Web-based resources on diversity issues: • http://www.eesj.curtin.edu.au/

45. Student Central & Faculty Student Service Offices – there is often an administrative solution to some problems • See website for a vast array of services – • Enrolment • Fees • Examinations • Appeals • OASIS / eStudent • Lots of other essential things… • http://students.curtin.edu.au/

46. OASIS-based resources • It is useful to familiarise new students with all the stuff they can access from OASIS • Let’s log in… • http://www.curtin.edu.au/

47. Student Guild Building 106A • Phone 9266 2900 http://guild.curtin.edu.au/ • Student Assist - http://guild.curtin.edu.au/go/student-assist • (check out Bookshop Grants….) • Recreation - http://guild.curtin.edu.au/go/guild-rec

48. The Library Not so much a support service as an absolutely essential tool for new students

49. Other key resources • Before moving on – think… • Are there any other key learning resources in your area that a new student should know about? • Labs, common rooms, whatever?

50. Cultural Diversity Scenario & Group Work