Freshman Year Program

Peer Mentor positions are available to undergraduate students through the Department of Housing and Residential Programs in conjunction with the Associate Provost and Academic Advising Offices.

Peer Mentors are staff members of Harbold & Hull Hall, home of the Freshman Year Program. This program is designed to help new students learn more about Millersville University, meet new friends, gain leadership skills, and succeed academically. Peer Mentors are expected to devote a considerable amount of time and energy to this position. It is expected that, with the exception of academic pursuits, Peer Mentors will place their duties ahead of other personal and professional commitments.

Goals

• Provide an environment that encourages active involvement in the academic life of the campus.
• Promote and develop an environment that is conducive to academic achievement and endeavors.
• Provide opportunities for students to understand the value of academic challenge and success.
• Provide opportunities for students to become actively involved on campus and/or in the community.
• Create an atmosphere of campus pride and connection.
• Provide an atmosphere within the residence hall that fosters the development of community based on consideration, respect and appreciation of all individuals.
• Work collaboratively with Freshman Year faculty in the successful implementation of the Freshman Seminar course.

Roles and Functions

• Faculty Assistant – The Peer Mentor will assist a Freshman Year faculty member in one section of the Freshman Seminar Course during the Fall semester. As a faculty assistant, the Peer Mentor will attend all classes, assist the instructor, conduct mentoring sessions, and serve as a general resource to students in the course.
• Resource Person – The Peer Mentor obtains and passes on information pertaining to Housing and Residence Life, campus activities, campus services, and academics to residents. In addition to information sharing, Peer Mentors also understand and communicate University policies and procedures with their peers.
• Administrator – The Peer Mentor submits information and paperwork in a timely and accurate manner. Peer Mentors perform administrative tasks related to the residence hall and the Freshman Year Program; these tasks include: surveying residents, completing incident reports, opening and closing of the building, and other administrative responsibilities as outlined by the Graduate Assistant for the building or the Director of Housing and Residential Programs. Additionally, Peer Mentors fulfill meeting obligations.
• Role Model/Student – The Peer Mentor is a paraprofessional in the Department of Housing and Residential Programs who must adhere to the rules and regulations of the University and those of the Department. Peer Mentors establish an environment on the floor that is conducive to academic and personal growth and utilizes study skills and time management techniques for personal success.
• As a role model and mentor for first year students, Peer Mentors must refrain from participating in activities that are known to compromise chance the for academic and personal success.
• Disciplinarian – The Peer Mentor promotes a philosophy of self-responsibility, addresses self-defeating behaviors, and confronts behaviors that are inconsiderate and detrimental to members of the community. Refers individuals with recurring instances of policy violations to the Graduate Assistant for the building.
• Helper – The Peer Mentor utilizes communication and listening skills. Peer Mentors must have an appreciation for diversity among residents while understanding the value of individual differences between people. He/she knows how to make referrals, respond appropriately to emergency and crisis situations, and possess basic knowledge of human behavior. Peer Mentors will be required to establish in-depth relationships with the residents of their floor. Mentoring new students requires considerable time, energy and commitment. Peer Mentors must plan on being available and interacting daily with residents. The success of the First Year Program is based on the ability of the Peer Mentor in building connections with the students.

Special Duties

• Return to campus one week prior to the fall opening of the Residence Halls to participate in RA/Peer Mentor Training, and four days prior to the second semester opening of the halls. He/she is expected to stay past closing of the hall after fall semester and 24 hours after spring semester closing. Also, Peer Mentors are required to stay past closing and arrive prior to opening during Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Spring Break.
• Participate fully in fall/spring training programs, as well as in hall in-service programs.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and meet individually with the Graduate Assistant.
• Attend floor and staff meetings with the Resident Assistant.
• Work collaboratively with the Resident Assistant by developing a positive living community through programs and interaction with the residents.
• Encourage residents to attend programs (in Halls and on campus), and become active participants in the Freshman Year Program.

Supervision

• The Peer Mentor is responsible for duties assigned by the Director of Housing and Residence Life and his designee, and will work closely with the Coordinator of the Freshman Year Program and Program faculty. In addition, because of the unique collaborative nature of the Freshman Year Program, the Associate Provost and the Directors of the Undecided Program and Academic Advisement will be consulted when necessary.
• Failure to fulfill required job expectations in a satisfactory manner or a violation of college policy or rules governing the residence halls will be grounds for termination. Additionally, Peer Mentors will be held to a strict academic standard of a GPA of 2.75 or above.

Qualifications

• A Peer Mentor must be a full-time student at Millersville University during the period of employment and must have attained sophomore status by the time of appointment. To be eligible for appointment, the cumulative grade point average must be a 2.75 or above. These academic standards must be maintained during each semester of employment. Peer Mentors whose grades fall below the 2.75 requirement (semester or cumulative) will have the following probationary semester to raise their GPA. Failure to meet the academic standards will result in termination from the position. If a semester GPA is 2.00 or lower, the Peer Mentor’s contract may be rescinded. Summer school will not be an option to improve the cumulative GPA for those students who do not meet the minimum requirement. Also, the Peer Mentor must have resided on campus for at least one semester. Students who have a disciplinary record are not eligible for the position.

Compensation

• Compensation is a single room at a double room price in Harbold Hall (Peer Mentors must live in Harbold or Hull Hall). In addition, Peer Mentors will receive a stipend of $2,932.50 for the academic year (this is for working an average of 15 hours per week).

Email Address: Tom.Richardson@millersville.edu