Chapter 2. Student
Development
Subchapter
2-100. General Provisions
Sec. 2-101. Definitions
a. In this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning,
- "coordinator" means coordinator of orientation;
- "dean" means the dean of student affairs or the dean's delegate or representative;
- "student" means a person enrolled in residence at the
university or a person accepted for admission or readmission to the
university while that person is on the campus; and
- "university" means the University of Texas at Tyler.
Subchapter
2-200. New Student Orientation
Sec. 2-201. Purpose
and Application
a. Student orientation programs are designed to aid freshmen, transfer,
and nontraditional students in adjusting to the academic and social
life of the university.
b. The primary purpose
of a university orientation program is to help students understand the
nature of the university, the educational opportunities available to
them, the values and functions of the university community, and the
central objective of the university as an academic enterprise. It is
also intended to permit students to participate in the testing program;
to participate in academic advisement; and to inform them about matters
relating to student registration, housing, campus activities, and other
aspects of university life.
Sec. 2-202. Administration
of Orientation
a. A coordinator shall plan and direct all university orientation programs.
In carrying out his or her responsibilities, the coordinator is administratively
responsible to and shall work closely with the dean.
Sec. 2-203. Student
Conduct
a. Prospective students attending an orientation program are subject
to the rules and regulations governing student discipline and conduct
set out in Chapter 8.
Subchapter
2-300. Peer Mentor Program
Sec. 2-301. Mission
a. Peer Mentor Program utilizes student mentors to assist new students
in making a successful transition to academic and student life. Peer
Mentors are successful students who share their personal college experiences
and strategies to promote the success of new students. They offer support,
friendship, assistance in obtaining answers to questions, and assistance
in utilizing college resources. Opportunities are available throughout
the year for freshmen students to interact with one another and with
their Peer Mentor.
Sec. 2-302. Mentor
Selection
a. During the Fall semester, all students are encouraged to apply for
the peer mentor program. Interested students are given a copy of the
Peer Mentor Guidelines and are asked to fill out an application. The
Peer Mentor Advisor and current peer mentors hold interviews of the
students. All students who are committed to upholding the Peer Mentor
Guidelines and are in good academic standing are selected as Peer Mentors.
Sec. 2-303. Mentor
Training
a. All Peer Mentors are required to attend a twelve-hour Peer Educator
Certified Training. Training consists of the following topics:
- Caring and Helping Within Limits
- Listening Skills
- Educational Programs and Awareness Campaigns
- Responding and Referral Skills
- Confrontation Skills
- Role Modeling
- Ethics
- Taking Care of Ourselves
b. Students who
complete the Peer Mentor Program may be nationally certified as a peer
educator through Bacchus Gamma.
Sec. 2-304. Mentor
Compensation
a. Peer Mentors will be paid on an hourly basis for the time that they
spend working at Freshman Orientation.
Sec. 2-305. Mentor
Guidelines
- Attend the Peer Mentor training. (Training will be held during
the Spring Semester, one meeting per month - We will try to accommodate
schedules as best as we can; however, being a Peer Mentor requires
some time commitment as well as flexibility.)
- Participate in Freshmen Orientation. (This will be your opportunity
to get off on the right foot and connect with your freshmen before
school starts - this is a critical time for both you as a mentor and
your freshmen.)
- Mentors will contact their freshmen one week before school starts
to welcome them to UT Tyler and to see if they have any questions,
concerns, etc.
- Mentors will contact their freshmen (through either phone, e-mail,
notes, etc.) at least once every two weeks to inform them of up-coming
campus activities.This means that mentors will be responsible for
finding out about campus activities. In order to encourage freshmen
to become involved in campus life, it is necessary for mentors to
be as involved in campus life as they possibly can.
- Mentors will be responsible for taking their group of freshmen
to at least one on campus student activity per month and one on campus
educational activity per semester.
- Mentors will work a minimum of 10 hours per semester at some form
of activity or programming sponsored by the Peer Mentor Program or
other student services activity (this may entail planning, advertising,
working at the function, etc.).
- Mentors are to be seen as leaders on campus. Therefore, it is crucial
that mentors conduct themselves as role models and follow the ethical
standards set out for them through peer mentor training.
(Revised 10/00)
