Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Amanda Smith, Mentor Program Coordinator START (Student

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of TechnologyCRICOS Provider Code 00301J

Amanda Smith, Mentor Program CoordinatorSTART (Student Transition & Retention Team)

New Mentor Training 2013 Sem 1


1. Think back – what do you wish you’d known when you first started your course?

2. Discuss what you think your Mentoring role will entail.

While you wait…


Nannup (Where Mum & Dad live now)

Acknowledgement of Country

Amanda SmithMentor Program Coordinator

Sydney (Where Mum was born & her family

lives)

Melbourne (Where Dad was

born and his family live)

Len (my

partner)

Tom Price (Where I was born) & Karratha &

Dampier (where I grew up)

Perth (Where I live now with my partner and dogs!)

Me (the youngest)

A Monkey (Not my partner!)

Guido (the Boss!)

Merlot


• You should be sitting with your animal friends!

• Materials that you should have

• Mentor Program Handy Guide

• Support Services Referral Chart & Other brochures

• Curtin Student Code of Conduct

• Talent Release Form

• Mentor Agreement

• Bookmarks

• Feedback – what do you wish you’d known? What do you think mentoring role will entail?

Introduction


Training Outline9:00 Welcome, Intro and Mentor Program Background

9:15 The Mentor Program and Your Role

How does the program work?

What is expected of you and when?

Mentoring relationship

Role and role boundaries

What will your semester look like?

Roles of Mentor Program staff

Administration

10:30 Morning Tea Break

10:55 Maintaining the Relationship – Communication tools and information

Communication and meetings

Email management & etiquette

Student issues lifecycle

Reporting serious issues

Diversity in mentee groups

Mentee Evaluation Forms

11:30 Expectations & Support Services

Expectations

Support Services

Student Guild

Student Central & FSSO

Library

Student Equity Advisors

11:55 OASIS and Blackboard (Tim Langsford- Student eServices)

12:00 iPortfolio – Jude Comfort

12:05 NEXT STEP Mentor Program – Alison O’Shaughnessy

12:10 The Practical Side of Mentoring

Your introduction

Tour itinerary & tips

First information to tell mentees

Real Life Scenarios

Mentee responses

12:30 Resources and Queries

12:35 Finish


• Began operating in 2007

• Successful intervention in the retention of our beginning students

• Identified as a high priority retention program and adopted in 2008 http://retention.curtin.edu.au/retentionplan/

• Covers ALL new UG first year students (approx. 7000) over 350 mentors in sem 1

• Goals• To engage senior students to assist new students to successfully transition into the

University• To increase retention rates• To improve the student experience for both mentors and mentees

• Evaluations of both mentors and mentees show the success of the program

Mentor Program Background

http://retention.curtin.edu.au/retentionplan/


The program was good because I felt like there was always someone there to help me, making me feel more comfortable about starting uni. I like the way that they showed us around during start up week and made more familiar with the building and uni practices

I thought the program was useful and allowed me to ask lots of questions which I wouldn't have had answered if I didn't have a mentor. My mentor was very approachable and regularly offered assistance, and was easy to communicate with. My mentor was well informed and gave me useful info

Really helpful in providing study tips - brought their first year subject study books to a meeting which allowed us to see useful ways to study. Approachable.

The mentor program is a good idea as it helps students feel more comfortable starting uni. My mentor seemed friendly and approachable and was willing to answer any questions. Although I didn't require the help of my mentor it was good knowing I had their help available if needed.

What a great resource! Nothing beats advice from people who are going through (or recently have) the same thing.

the student mentor program helped me feel like there was always someone that I could go to if I had questions or was having a problem with one of my units. This took a lot of the pressure off my shoulders

My mentor was a strong emotional support for me when I was unsure of my capabilities at the start of the course.

Mentor Program Background


The Mentor Program & Your Role How does the program work?


Mentoring Relationship

What is a Curtin Mentor?

Role and Role Boundaries


The Roles of the Mentor program staff

NOTE: ALL these

slides are

available on the

website, I’ll email

you the location!


How does the program work?A very different program to many mentor programs:

• Mentors & mentees are all adults• Informal• Large group of mentees (10 – 20)• Not much face to face contact• ‘Opt out’ model• You are only there IF THEY NEED YOU, they haven’t specifically asked for you

Mentor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJbiw_bOFmY

Why would we choose ‘opt out’ instead of ‘opt in’?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJbiw_bOFmY


How does the program work?• I facilitate the program, each School has a School Mentor Coordinator

• You will be randomly assigned between 10 – 20 new students (your mentees)

• Assigned before or by Orientation

• Some late enrolments will be assigned to you up to week 3

• If any new students ‘fall through the gaps’ they will be assigned during semester

• You need to: 1. do training2. sign mentor agreement3. take part in your School’s orientation where required4. communicate at least fortnightly with mentees5. offer to meet up with them occasionally6. attend a couple of meetings with School Mentor Coordinator7. complete evaluation of your mentoring experience8. collect your certificate and voucher!



Training week • Training (experienced mentors do an online ‘refresher’)

• Complete Mentor Agreement• Fill out Bookmarks with your contact details

Orientation Week • Liaise with your School Mentor Coord.• Assigned mentee group• Take part in School Orientation• Meet most of your mentees and give out bookmarks• Start receiving emails from Amanda

Week 1 • Commence regular emails to mentees• Try to meet up face to face with mentees who didn’t come to Orientation• Receive approx. weekly emails from Amanda – read, use info, respond if

necssry

Weeks 2 – 14 • Email/Facebook mentees AT LEAST once a fortnight, even if you get NO response, you CONTINUE to email them

• Respond to mentees and offer support and guidance where required• Attend meetings (2 or 3) with your School Mentor Coord.• Receive approx. weekly emails from Amanda – read, use info, respond if

necssry• Arrange occasional face to face meetings (every month or so, dependent on mentees)

• Possible mid-semester Mentor event (around week 5)

• Complete Mentor Evaluation (around week 12)

• Outstanding Mentor Nominations

Week 15 • Send final email to mentees

Exam Weeks • Get final email from Amanda • Pick up voucher and certificate


Emails from START Mentor Coordinator

If you haven’t heard or received an email from me by the first week of semester, email me! You may have dropped off the database.

Let me know!

If you don’t ... then you may miss out on important information for you and your mentees, notifications about awards, vouchers and certificates!


Mentor


Mentoring Relationship• Stages of mentoring:

1. Initiation2. Cultivation (no assumptions, no judgement)3. Transformation4. Separation (this may happen in week 1!)

• Mentor is in control initially, but as semester progresses, mentee takes control of the relationship

• Eventually mentee becomes autonomous (transformation) - this may happen in week 1!

• Ongoing, CONSISTENT contact is important eg. Email the same day each fortnight for WHOLE semester if possible

• You support mentees to develop capacity for themselves – some of them may already have that capacity

• Mentoring relationship evolves in response to the mentees, it’s very individual


Sometimes you don't even need a

mentor and it's annoying constantly

getting emails

Did not reply to my email and then I gave up making contact

Lost contact after second week. Saw them in uni environment and there was no acknowledgement of my presence

I emailed her once about how to hand in assignments. She took a long time to get back to me, so I handed it in wrong :(

Didn't send me email @

end of semester just to

see how semester went


Previous issues:


What is a Curtin Mentor?

• Tour guide

• Someone to ask the ‘dumb’ questions of (“There are no dumb questions!”)

• Networking facilitator (mentees, staff, mentors, services)

• Information conduit (social, academic, wellbeing)

• Just-in-case support

• Faceless email messenger/Facebook poster of information

• Signpost to support services and appropriate academic staff)

Mentor

• Role model• non-discriminatory • inclusive, helpful, friendly • consistent, supportive, motivational• model good study skills and time

management where possible• honesty and integrity



• Course materials

• Textbooks

• Second-hand books

• Public transport

• Work-study-life balance

• ID cards

• Oasis

• Blackboard

• Library Borrowing

• Study tips

• Improving marks

• Organisation

• Time management

• Motivation

• In the ‘wrong’ course!

• Changing course

• Unit registration

• Timetable registration

• Unit withdrawal

• Overloading

• Deferring

• Census date

• Fee payment

• Class attendance

• Electives

• Major selection

• Appealing a mark

• Homesickness

• Swapping units

• Re-enrolment

• Events

• Fitting in with the

Australian culture

• What the course is like

after 1st year

• Student exchange

• Referencing

• Group work

• Extensions

• Submitting assignments

• Health/counselling

services

• Printing

• iLectures

• Learning centre

• Proof-read essays

• Turnitin

• Parking

• Finding way around

campus

• Locating classrooms

• Work experience

• Jobs

• UniEnglish

• Clubs & societies

• Course specific

Mentoring RelationshipTypes of Queries


The Student Issues LifecycleWhat sort of queries do you think come up during these times – consider a diverse group of mentees

Timeframe Issues

OWeek

Weeks 1 – 2

Weeks 2 - 5

Weeks 6 – 10

Weeks 11 – end of exams

Results release


Weeks 1 – 2 • Homesickness

• Family relationship issues because they have moved away from home

• Feelings of uncertainty in adjusting to their new environment

• Feelings of inadequacy and social rejection fears

• Frustrations in having to deal with administration that their family may have resolved for them already

• Time management difficulties

• Independent living issues

• Anxiety in establishing new friendships

• Organisational stress related to academic study

Weeks 2 – 4

• Homesickness may still exist

• Financial strains may increase due to lack of budgeting experience (or just from being poor – most students don’t have enough money!)

• Stress increases due to up and coming assessment deadlines

• Frustration in accessing information and using IT

• Feelings of being overwhelmed and overly extended

• Difficulty managing study commitments and out of uni commitments

• Question reasons for taking course

• Loneliness

The Student Issues Lifecycle


Weeks 4 – 6

• Concerns with meeting academic expectations

• Increased anxiety concerning completing assignments

• Continued feelings of being overwhelmed and over extended

• Increased anxiety associated with accessing information needed to complete assignments

• Financial pressures – lack of money, bills start to come in

• Possible questioning reasons for undertaking course

Weeks 6 onwards• Feelings of being burnt out

• Depression

• Homesickness continues

• Pressure to find paid work

• Increased academic work pressures associated with meeting deadlines for assignments or tests

• Time management conflicts between University commitments and personal/social commitments

• Increased alcohol or other substance consumption

• Relationship pressures - possibly issues with friends or dating issues

• Sickness — lack of sleep and not eating well

• Stress and panic related to up and coming exams

• Worried about return home during the holidays

• Financial pressures, with the possibility of no money during the holidays


Reporting Serious Issues

If you become aware of staff/student code of conduct issues:• Contact the Student Wellbeing Service on 1800 244 043• Or contact the PSCU (Professional Standards & Conduct Unit) on 1800 907 998

OR +61 8 9266 9140 or [email protected]

In the unlikely event of a mentee threatening self-harm or harm to others:• Do not try to manage this yourself• Contact the Counselling Service immediately – ph 9266 7850• If counselling not open, contact Security – 9266 4444• Or Contact Lifeline all hours 13 11 14, web address http://www.lifelinewa.org.au/• For further guidance: http://www.theline.gov.au/home

Maintain proper boundaries – you do not need to put yourself in harm’s way nor allow destructive or illegal behaviours to go unmentioned.

REMEMBER: Help is available at: www.studentwellbeing.curtin.edu.au

mailto:[email protected]


1. International students might participate more in online discussions than face to face initially

2. International students will receive more varied, possibly accurate information if they have more Aussie friends (otherwise they rely on info and advice from home!)

3. Ask mentees – what would help you? Don’t assume – everyone is different

4. REMEMBER: Online/external students, international students (new to Perth?), rural, mature age – very diverse mentee groups

5. Try to let your mentees to feel supported regardless of who they are, where they are from, their socioeconomic background, family status etc.

Diversity in Mentee Groups


• Wants to help others

• Has good Curtin knowledge (or a willingness to find out!)

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and both respect and responsibility

• Effective communication skills

• Is sensitive to how their Mentees are feeling

• Spends time communicating with Mentees

• Open minded, deals well with diverse individuals

• Willing to acknowledge, as a mentor, that a mentee may not necessarily ask for

help

• Persistent and motivated

Reference - http://humanresources.about.com/od/coachingmentori2/qt/formal_mentor.htm

Successful Mentors



MENTOR

Mentee

ORIENTATION WEEK

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

WEEK 1WEEK 2WEEK 3

Mentee

WEEKS 4 - 7WEEK 8

Mentee

WEEKS 10 - 12WEEK 13

Mentee

Mentee

Mentee

EXAM WEEKSRESULTS RELEASEEnd of Mentoring for Semester 1


To assist your group of new students transition as successfully as possible – this means:

• Anticipating the questions that they may have

• Answering all the questions that they have (or sending them to someone who can!)

• Offering continuous, regular student advice and support

• Saying ‘Hi’ around campus

• Allow/assist your mentees to make friends and feel comfortable

• Understanding that the effectiveness of your role is

NOT measured by the response rate of mentees

• Completing the “paperwork” – Training, Agreement, Meetings, Evaluation

The Role of a Mentor

Mentor


The role for both mentor and mentee should be non-exploitative:

• You do not have to be a close friend

• Any private knowledge mentors gain about an individual should remain private

• You are not your mentees’ “representative”

• You must not act beyond your expertise - simply point them in the right direction - the mentor is not an expert on everything – your job is to connect them to the most appropriate student services at Curtin

• It is not a dating service

• If you have issues, you can ask for a Mentee to be reassigned

Role Boundaries

What do you think your role boundaries/rules as mentor might be?

Think about:• Academic and personal issues • Friendships• Reporting to staff• Privacy


DON’T:• Compromise your own study / work / life balance• Be available 24/7• Put yourself in a situation where you are not comfortable – seek help from your

School Mentor Program Coordinator and the various support avenues in START• Proof read assignments• Meet alone off campus• Form a relationship with a mentee – swap first!

DO REMEMBER: • You are NOT a teacher, a counsellor, a private tutor or a

representative for academic matters and disputes These services are provided by staff on campus

• You can help your mentees with self-directed learning, but don’t do their assignments for them!

• You should report concerning issues to the PSCU (Professional Standards and Conducts Unit) and/or START Student Wellbeing Staff

• You can switch a mentee to another mentor

Mentor

Role Boundaries


(My mentee) didn’t say yes when I asked them on a date!

Mentor

Actual feedback from a mentor:

Role Boundaries


Role of the School Mentor Coordinator & STARTThe role of School Mentor Coordinator:

• Plan your role in Orientation and communicate expectations for this and for other events

• Support and guide you throughout the semester – as needed or appropriate• Meet with you to encourage the opportunity for you to share your experiences

The role of the Mentor Program Coordinator in START – Amanda Smith

• Support and assist all School Mentor Coordinators

• Support all Mentors

• Prepare & deliver training program

• Ensure Mentor Agreements are completed

• Emails throughout the semester with information and templates for mentees

• Evaluation of the program

• Recognition of your contribution

• Arrange Outstanding Mentor Nominations and event


Administration:1. Mentor Agreement

• Compulsory part of your participation in the Mentor Program

• Mentor agreement must be submitted by week 1 ever semester in which you are a mentor

• Hand it in now – others can do it online

http://mentoring.curtin.edu.au/mentors/Agreement.cfm


• Read your Agreement – discuss if you need to or ask questions

• Then sign it and date it and put in the middle of the table for collection

Mentor

Administration:1. Mentor Agreement


• There is recognition (voucher ex Nursing, certificate, official record) for your role,

BUT this is ONLY provided if you:

• Participate in training (face to face or online)

• Sign off your Mentor Agreement

• Attend ALL requested meetings with your School Mentor

Program Coordinator

• Email your mentees regularly during semester

• Complete your Mentor Evaluation

Administration:2. Recognition of Your Role


• Leadership experience - This will not be the last time you are in a

mentor/mentee relationship

• Improving/acquiring skills - active listening, communication, time

management, information gathering and distribution, networking, email

management, responding to deadlines, reflection and constructive

criticism

• Learn about yourself

• Making a difference to other students

• Meeting people – experience dealing with a diverse group

• Recognition of your contribution

• Contribution to your career

• Motivation and persistence

• Prioritisation of information

• Voucher

BUT It is not just about the relationship between You and the mentee/s it is also about the mentees interacting with each other.

Administration:2. Recognition of Your Role – What’s in it for you?


• It is important to obtain evaluation data:– To validate your role (and therefore secure funding)– To improve the program– For research purposes

Questions about the Mentor Program:

Eg. Support from my coordinating staff member in my school was useful: Strongly Agree / Agree / Disagree / Strongly Disagree

Questions about you and your Mentees:

Eg. As a Mentor, I believe that I gave my mentees confidence in beginning at Curtin: Strongly Agree / Agree / Disagree / Strongly Disagree / Unable to judge

Eg. Were any of your mentees considering withdrawing from Curtin at any point in the semester? Yes No Don’t know

Administration:3. Mentor Evaluation


Administration:4. Mentee Evaluation

• We collect your mentees’ feedback to: • Report on this program to the University• Provide information to future mentors and mentees• Improve the program• Research purposes for Curtin Academic staff

Mentor


“Do you believe your mentor has gone out of his/her way to provide support to you as a new student? If so, please submit the brief nomination form below.”

www.mentoring.curtin.edu.au/mentors/citations.cfm

Administration:5. Outstanding Mentor Nominations

Course: Marketing and PRMessage: Samantha has just done such a great job ensuring that myself and her fellow mentee's are going alright, providing us with work experience and constantly keeping in contact and letting us know that we are always able to come to her and that she is always there for us.

Course: Commerce BusinessMessage: She provided helpful hints of her own in regards to study and settling in. She also responded promptly to all of my emails and answered all of my questions at the beginning of the year. I felt her help was more than what was expected of a mentor.

Course: EngineeringMessage: He was just a great bloke!


7. Attendance at Orientation

• Compulsory, proven to improve response rates from mentees, not to mention retention and success rates for new students

6. Contact with Mentees

• At least every 2 weeks, for the WHOLE semester. They may not respond, but they like to know you are there if they need you

• Every 2 weeks at least, relevant, professional, and be careful of “Reply All” if emailing

• Bcc (Blind Copy) to all mentees (if emailing)

• Continue contact for the WHOLE semester, even if no response

Administration:Contact & Orientation


Morning Tea Break

Please be back in your seats by 10.55am

Talk to the Senior Mentors – ask them questions!


Maintaining the Relationship – Communication Tools and Info

Communication and Meetings

Email Management & Etiquette

Student Issues Lifecycle

Reporting Serious Issues

Diversity in Mentee Groups


Successful Mentors



• Be Creative! (Email, text, Facebook, face-to-face)

• Meet with your mentees on campus – if they do not attend Orientation, organise an alternative time to meet with them

• Timetable a ‘drop in session/coffee catch up’ early in semester – team up with another mentor to avoid ‘loneliness’

• Utilising email – it is a good idea to get the students preferred email and show them how to divert their Oasis email

• Utilising Facebook - Mentors have found setting up a Facebook page with their mentees at Orientation is a very effective method


• Team up with another mentor (some Schools arrange this)

• Pick a handy on campus café, easy to find

• Give mentees plenty of notice, and a reminder the day before

• Turn off your mobile phone

• Ask them how they are getting on, about any issues they have had so far

• Be patient - Mentees may need time to communicate their issues

• Be reliable- Follow up on an issue and get back to them when you say you will! Even if it’s to say “I haven’t got an answer yet but I’m still working on it”

• Thank Mentees for turning up to your meeting & Remind them to contact you if they need help



Email Management• Email mentees EVERY 2 WEEKS at least - BLIND COPY (Bcc) the

Mentees so you don’t give them all each others email addresses

• START Mentor Program Coordinator will send you emails every week or two (ex. Nursing)

• Your School Coordinator may guide you with points to include

• Include your own things

• Keep it friendly but professional – be aware of diversity

• Don’t use colloquial language, abbreviations or Aussie slang too much


Email Management• Think about - What information is relevant when?

• Use the word “Mentor” in the subject line– so they know who it’s from and so it does not go into Junk mail

• Utilise the following tools:

• Bulk email lists• Redirecting emails (eg. OASIS to home account or vice versa)• Timely replies (check daily – Facebook too)• Folders & filing• Flag to follow up (especially if sent to staff)• Forward to staff and cc the mentee


Email Etiquette

To: [email protected]:[email protected]: Wassup my HOMEYS????

Yo Homey, What’s cracking? I’m busy as a mofo and have no time for my stupid

assignments. What’s going down with your uni work? Need a hand with anything?

I’m busting for the weekend so I can get smashed and hit the town.Might have a barbie with mates on Sat – you up for it? Toodle-loo,

Mr Mentor Man (ps like my cartoon … ha ha ha)

What is wrong with this email to mentees?


An Example from a Previous Mentor...

SUBJECT: Your Student Mentor Contact – Response Required

Hello John, Melanie, Sally, Bob, Gagandeep, Mary, Puk, Doris, Xiao-Mei and Ferdinand - I met most of you at Orientation, but wanted to confirm that I am your Curtin Student Mentor. I’m here as a source of help and guidance if you need it. I will send you regular emails full of tips, hints, events and information that will help you with your study and student life. Mentors volunteer to help out new students, so we do this because we are keen to help not because we get paid!

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about textbooks (which ones to and not to buy), classes and lecturers, and anything else Uni related you might want to know/find. I can’t do your assignments or proof read for you, but I can direct you to support services to help with that sort of thing!

I am really enjoying starting the third year of my Laboratory Medicine course – you might not see the relevance of some of your first year units now, but when you hit second and third year, you understand how important the basics are and get into the good stuff! I would love to meet up with you a couple of times this semester for a short chat too.

MEETING: Next week, I’ll be at the Concept Café on Thursday 14 Feb 10am – 11am. Please come along, the more of you the better, then we can talk about any issues or questions you have about your new life at Curtin. If you don’t come, I’ll be lonely on my own! Please email me back to say Hi, confirm your email is correct, ask me questions and tell me about yourself! Cheers!

Email Etiquette


Expectations & Support Services

Expectations

Support Services

START

Student Wellbeing

All the Rest!


ExpectationsWhat students should expect of Curtin

What Curtin expects of you

How does Curtin support you and your mentees?

You can find the Student Charter at http://students.curtin.edu.au/rights/student_charter.cfm

The Charter says:

Curtin University values its students and recognises the importance of the overall student experience.

With this in mind, the University is committed to providing a welcoming, supportive and safe environment, conducive to learning and research and the development of individuals who display the Curtin values of Integrity, Respect, Fairness and Care.


What you should expect of Curtin:

• Access to relevant polices, procedures, laws, principles and your rights

• Support services for a diverse student population

• Provide a safe study environment without discrimination, bullying or harassment.

• Embrace and recognise diversity

• Reasonable access to staff to discuss program matters, address concerns and complaints; and ensure timely fair and constructive assessment of work

• Appropriate facilities and equipment to support student learning

• Student representation on University committees

• Opportunities to provide feedback on unit quality, teaching performance, support services and facilities

Expectations


What Curtin expects of students:

• Be informed about and comply with relevant polices, procedures, laws, principles and your rights

• Participate constructively in the learning experience – be aware of course and unit requirements and your academic progress

• Behave in an appropriate manner within the learning environment, showing respect for both staff and fellow students at all times

• Embrace and recognise diversity

• Use University facilities and services in an honest and responsible manner

• Recognise that cheating, plagiarism and fabrication or falsifications of data are not acceptable.

• Adhere to the proper use of copyright material

Expectations


Expectations

You are positively encouraged to bring forward any concerns you may have.

• If you become aware of major issues (such as corruption) you need to let START/Student Wellbeing know OR the PSCU.

• You would do this preferably with the student/s permission however there may be situations when you or staff need to contact the PSCU without the student/s consent.

• START would support the student through any subsequent processes.

If you becoming aware of staff/student code of conduct issues:• Contact the Student Wellbeing Service on 1800 244 043• Or contact the PSCU (Professional Standards & Conduct Unit) on 1800

907 998 OR +61 8 9266 9140 or [email protected]



Support Services Building 103Ph 9266 [email protected]

START (Student Transition & Retention Team)

• Student Advisors, Student Wellbeing Advisors, Mentor Program Coordinator, UniPASS, Orientation & Transition

• Services are free and confidential.

• Available for one-to-one chats, advice, telephone or email support• Personal issues • Academic concerns i.e. conditional status, termination, struggling with units,

courses etc.• Advice on how to handle complaints and grievances • Liaison between student and faculty or School (Course Coordinator, Unit

Coordinator etc.) if you have problems explaining yourself • Any other situation that a student is unhappy with or unsure of

• Very friendly, great advisors, practical, useful support - they know Curtin procedures and paperwork well – can refer to all other services incl. Guild

Not sure who can help? Start at START!


UniPASS (University Peer Assisted Study Support) • Run by trained facilitators who are current students

• Friendly learning environment • Not a tutorial - Facilitated study group• 10 week program• Improve your marks- whatever level you are at (by about 10%)

• In selected Schools:• Health Science• Humanities• Sciences• Engineering• Education• CBS

Support Services

Contact UniPASS Team: [email protected]

For more info, workshops and registration visit Unilife website – Learning Support/UniPass or watch your OASIS


www.unilife.curtin.edu.auThe University Life Portal

• Counselling Services• Health Services• Housing Services• The Learning Centre• Curtin Careers Centre• Curtin Volunteers• Student Wellbeing

• Early Childhood Centre• Sport and Recreation (Curtin

Stadium)• Student Equity• Multi Faith Services• Disability Services• Social Worker• UniPASS

Support Services


Student Assist • Financial Support• Legal support• Bookshop Grants• Advice and support• Career and academic help and workshops• Grievances• Tenancy advice

• Departments, clubs & societies – diversity support, friendship, networking and fun

• Discounts on food, drink and events with a Guild membership• Guild Rec classes –dance, martial arts, coffee-making etc – get fit or get a

job! • Grok magazine• International student committee

Student Guild Building 106A

Phone: 9266 2900

guild.curtin.edu.au


There may be an administrative solution to some problems

• See website for a vast array of services:• Enrolment• Fees• Examinations• Appeals• OASIS / eStudent• Course switching• Lots of other essential things…

Go to your FSSO first - http://students.curtin.edu.au/contact_offices.cfm

Student Central & Faculty Student Services Offices (FSSO)


• Tours in Orientation Week - Survival at your Library

• Library tour podcasts

• Workshops

• Online tutorials

• Enquiries desk

• Reference desk

• Rovers (helpful staff members)

• Room bookings

• Computers

The LibraryBuilding 105

Phone: 9266 7166

library.curtin.edu.au


Support Services

If you need to know more:

• You have access to all of University’s key information through OASIS

• You can find all this information via the Current Students’ web page at students.curtin.edu.au

• You can seek one-to-one advice from START• 9266 2662 • [email protected] or drop in at Building 103

• You can phone Student Wellbeing Advisors on 1800 244 043 or email [email protected]

Mentor



Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

My Mentor:

1. Provided me with useful information about Curtin

2. Helped me with study tips

3. Gave me confidence in beginning at Curtin

4. Gave me reassurance in beginning at Curtin

5. Helped me feel I belong at Curtin

6. Was always available if I needed help or advice

7. Was approachable

8. Directed me to appropriate resources and services at Curtin

This is what the Mentees rate their experience on – how can you help to get the program great scores (and be nominated as Outstanding)?


OASIS and Blackboard

Tim LangsfordDeputy Manager, Student eServicesBuilding 1019266 [email protected]



iPortfolio

Jude Comfort

iPortfolio Support Officerwww.iportfolio.curtin.edu.au


NEXT STEP Mentor ProgramAlison O’Shaughnessy

Building 303 L2 Curtin Careers Centre

• Career mentoring for senior students

• Matched to a Curtin alumni (or friend) with same or similar degree & at least 3

years’ industry experience

• 6 month program (about 8 contact hours)

• One:one matching

• Perth based and international mentors

• More information:

curtin.careers.edu.au/nsmentoring


The Practical Side of Mentoring

Your Introduction

Tour Itinerary & Tips

First Information for Mentees

Real Life Scenarios

Mentee Responses


• Name

• Explain my role as a Mentor and WHY I am a Mentor – role boundaries

• Ask them to respond to your emails/Facebook

• Explain some interesting things about myself and my life

• Explain my passions and interests – in particular my course of study

• Explain what I can do and assist with etc.

• The people that you see now will be your colleagues/networks throughout your time at Curtin and beyond – make connections, respond to emails

• Quick Tips – like best places to eat on a budget, Lost on Campus Phone App, hardest units to watch out for

• Computing help & OASIS Login – show them how to get their emails

• Hand out bookmarks!

Your Introduction


Tour ItineraryNOTE: Free

iPhone App

“Lost on

Campus”Tour Ideas Tour Ideas

Computer lab login to OASIS & get emails

START & Housing (Building 103)

Student Central and FSSO Curtin Stadium – where EXAMS are held!!

Library (meeting rooms, facilities, computers etc)

Closest computer labs, common rooms & microwave

Counselling & Health Services Building 303 Curtin Careers, Curtin Volunteers & AIESEC

ATMs, Bankwest, Uni Credit Elizabeth Jolley and other Lecture theatres your School uses

Bookshop Building 101 – Student Central

Various faculty areas (CBS Comm Skill Cr)

Chemistry Precinct

Tour Ideas

Guild Precinct The TavSecond-hand bookshop Chemist, hairdresser, etc.PrintingStationery (The Spot)

Eating outlets on Campus and nearby

Main CafeGeorge’sAngazziBookmark CafeVege PatchAmbrosiaKarrawarra across the road

Where would be best to take your new students on a tour during Orientation?


How to Run a Good Tour• Clear instructions to begin, overview of tour

• SLOW DOWN

• WAIT for your group to assemble with you BEFORE you speak

• Speak loudly and clearly (new internationals might be struggling with Aussie accent)

• Give time for questions at each stop

• Make sure they get water if it’s hot!

• Don’t leave anyone behind

• Be confident and assertive – you only have a short time

• Try to remember names

• Be clear about what happens next – where do they go after the tour? (Don’t leave them hanging!)


First Information to Tell Mentees1. Your introduction, role boundaries etc.

2. Get their best email address/mobile number & give them your bookmark

3. Check they have ID cards – make sure they know how if not

4. Building Numbers- ie. 405.201 Means Building 405, Room 201 means second floor

5. Take them on your tour – include computer lab login, OASIS (esp Start Up), check email, Blackboard, brief overview of UniLife website, Guild, START etc., FSSO

6. Remind them that university involves self-directed learning

7. Student Wellbeing Hotline 1800 244 043

8. Parking, Buses, Courtesy Bus, Public Transport - SMARTRIDER

9. Sanctions (if you owe money - no results, no graduation), appeals & Guild help

10. Remind them to TALK to staff if they need to! Academics are there to help!

11. Non smoking campus


Real Life Scenarios1. Each group gets all scenarios

2. Think and discuss:• What are the problems the new student is facing?• How would you help?• Which support service/s would you direct them to (if

necessary)?• Use the roving Senior Mentors & your Support Services

flyers for help

3. Feedback to the whole group


Mentee ResponsesMany mentors complain about the fact that they get very little response from their mentees. There may be contact from mentees at the start of semester, then contact drops off to no response to emails later in semester.

In your group, discuss the following:

1. Why do you think mentees do not respond very much to emails from mentors?

2. What could you do to encourage them to respond?3. How will you deal with a lack of response from your mentees?4. If a mentee hasn’t responded by week 4, why is it important

to continue to email him/her for the rest of semester?


Website Resources

www.mentoring.curtin.edu.au• Mentee contact details sheet

• Tips, hints and information

• Mentor Handy Guide

• Professional Development Seminar

• Recruitment information

• Expression of Interest Forms

Name some support services?

Where can you find them?

www.unilife.curtin.edu.au


Any Queries

• If a mentor or mentee has any concerns and you are not sure how to help, make contact with…

Your School Mentor Program Coordinator

Amanda SmithSTART Mentor Program CoordinatorHayman Hall 1029266 [email protected] OR [email protected]

Student Wellbeing Services/START1800 244 043 or [email protected]

unilife.curtin.edu.au – go there, find a service


Final Reminder• Send students to support services if you can’t help

• Communicate regularly, for entire semester, regardless of response

• Remember role boundaries

• This is about your mentees making friends and feeling comfortable too!

• Your effectiveness is NOT measured by the amount of response from mentees – it’s measured by you being there just in case

• Read emails from me and your School Coordinator

ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!


We wish you all the best for your semester!

A HUGE Thank You!

Give me your

Talent Release

Form please!

Any questions

about Orientation

or Mentoring?


Orientation Information/MeetingsSchool Contact Person Orientation Info Meeting or Info

re. Orientation Duties

Documents

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider Code 00301J Amanda Smith, Mentor Program Coordinator START (Student