FYI 100 Peer Mentors

1. FYI 100 Peer Mentors

2. A Few More Things You Need To Know First…

3. About Your Peer Mentors • They have all successfully managed their time while maintaining 3.0 to 4.0 GPA’s. • They underwent a rigorous screening process • Attended a workshop that included: • A review of their contractual requirements • A review of the First-Year Experience including its tie-in to the LAC • They are enrolled in FYR 314 (Peer Mentor Seminar) this coming fall • The FYI 100 instructor will determine 35% of their PMs final FYR 314 grade • There will be two to three emails from me (or my designee) during the semester inquiring about PM performance; please respond • Don’t hesitate to contact me (or my designee) if issues develop with your PM • Your PM will be provided with PowerPoint Presentations

4. Basic Information There are 37 sections of FYI 100 scheduled for Fall 2014. The Peer Mentors’ FYR 314 Class begins on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 7:00 PM in Goddard 100 Erin Strickland will assist in teaching FYR 314 The FYR 314 Instructor is Chris Drewry

5. Blackboard Learn • All courses offered at Eastern have a Blackboard Learn site attached to them • FYI 100 Blackboard Learn • The FYI 100 Office will not post any content to any FYI 100 site • Peer mentors have no Blackboard Learn-related responsibilities • Instructors are free to use Blackboard Learn in their FYI 100 classes • A common link to all PowerPoint “Learning Module” presentations can be found on the FYI 100 website • PM’s can also email/text/twitter/whatever the link to all of their students

6. Peer Mentors: Your peer mentor’s responsibilities in FYI 100

7. Simply Put, Peer Mentors Are Guides To the FYE Attend FYI 100 classes Promote people to people interactions Provide info on campus survival and activities Reinforce time management practices Participate in classroom discussions Participate in co-curricular activities like field trips and walking tours Meet with students outside of class Peer Mentors Fall Peer Mentors – Fall 2013 Fall 2011 Peer Mentors

8. Contract Each mentor had to sign a contract This contract outlined the basic guidelines and responsibilities for your PM

9. *PM’s Enroll in the FYR 314 Peer Mentor Seminar • This is a 2-credit course • Attend class every other Monday evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM beginning September 8, 2014 • There will be assignments and activities in this course • Readings, logs, a final project/activity • Active learning exercises • Discussions

10. Grading • Grade determined by FYR 314 instructor in consultation with FYI 100 instructor • 65% determined by FYR 314 instructor and based on classroom participation, logs, and the final assignment • 35% determined by FYI 100 instructor • Input solicited on a regular bases

11. Other Peer Mentor Responsibilities Meet weekly with their FYI 100 instructor Attend one FYI 100 class for one continuous 50-minute period per week Have up front class time each week Meet with their students at least twice during the semester outside of the classroom Attend some FYI 100 co-curricular activities as well as the field trip Get students involved in campus activities Give learning module PowerPoint presentations

12. What Must a Peer Mentor Do In The Classroom? • Conduct at least one icebreaker preferably during the first class. Conduct other icebreakers if desirable • Give learning module PowerPoint presentations and discussions on: • Time management • Campus involvement and community engagement • Health, counseling and psychological services • Advising • Registration • Financial Literacy and how to find holds • Academic integrity and misconduct policy • Accessing important information • Internships and career development • Peer mentor’s personal experience – at least 10 minutes per month • Weekly presentations on campus activities and important updates • Other presentations/lectures as determined by PM and FYI 100 Instructor

13. *Advising Information to be Presented in Class By Peer Mentors September – Add/Drop, Dual Advising & How to Find Advisor, eWeb (through inside Eastern portal if available), University Catalog, University Schools, Academic Departments and Chairs October – Check for financial/medical holds, WP/WF, LAC, Advising/Registration November – 4-year plan workshops *will often be a part of the PowerPoint presentation for the week

14. What Should a Peer Mentor Suggest and Promote To Their Students Outside of the Classroom? Attend Cultural presentations Participate in on-campus activities Participate in off-campus activities Join Clubs & University organizations Meet their peer mentor for a meal

15. Cultural Presentations and Activities on Campus University hour Arts and Lecture Series Performing Arts and Theatrical Productions Akus Gallery Exhibits Eastern Sporting Events Guest Speakers sponsored by Clubs, Departments, etc.

16. Other Activities and Services on Campus Academic Services Center Career Planning and Placement Campus Activity Board (CAB) in the Student Center Campus Ministry Thursday Night Dinners at Knight House Early Childhood Center Counseling Services Library Women’s Center Tour of the Grant House

17. Activities Off Campus Willimantic Food CO-OP The Covenant Soup Kitchen The Windham Arts Collaborative 3rd Thursday Street Festival (Sept. 18 is your only opportunity) The Frog Bridge Windham Textile Museum A Walk Through Historic Downtown Willimantic

18. Final Words on Promoting Interactions Between Peer Mentors and Their Students Field Trips On and Off Campus Activities Meet with students outside of the classroom Use Active Learning in the classroom Get to class a little early, talk to students Show an interest in what students are doing Tell them about their own experiences Keep in touch via email or social media Have lunch/dinner with their students Learn their students’names and make sure they learn your name

19. Working With Your Peer Mentor – Do’s • Do adjust your FYI 100 syllabus to reflect your peer mentor’s role and participation in the classroom. • Do allow your peer mentor to carry out all First-Year Program Committee approved FYI 100 goals and objectives. • Do ask your peer mentor for suggestions on topics familiar to them that can be presented to your class. • Do let your peer mentor know if you must cancel class. • Do have weekly meetings with your peer mentor to discuss how things are going, make suggestions, and prepare for the upcoming class. • Do allow your peer mentor to have “up front” class time every week. Five to 10 minutes alone with your class is OK, but no more than that. Always be close at hand should trouble occur. • Do encourage your peer mentor to get to know the students on a personal level and provide them with necessary information. • Do be available to help your peer mentor with any class situations that may occur.

20. Working With Your Peer Mentor – Don’ts • Don’t have your peer mentor grade tests, homework, or other assignments that have the students’ names on them and are used to determine students grades. • Don’t have your peer mentor teach your class if you are absent. • Don’t require (or even ask) your peer mentor to attend more than one continuous 50-minute class each week. • Don’t allow your peer mentor to teach for more than 10 minutes in your absence. • Don’t require your peer mentor to copy, collate, or run errands. Peer mentors are not teacheringassistants. • Don’t have disagreements with your peer mentor in front of the class. All problems should be resolved during your weekly meetings. • Don’t ask your peer mentor to give presentations or conduct study sessions on the academic content of your course.

21. THE END