Alumni-Student Mentorship Guiding Principles

Dean of Students and Office of Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging (DOS-CEEB)
Wasserstein Hall (WCC)
1585 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

617-496-2573

  1. Both parties are expected to uphold the highest standards for professional behavior in all interactions.
  2. The parties should be respectful of each other’s experiences and perspectives and respect the boundaries set by each other.
  3. Both parties should treat any alumni mentorship conversations as confidential.
  4. Students are responsible for initiating contact with prospective mentors.
  5. Mentors should respond to students promptly.
  6. If mentors are too busy to take on a student during the time a student reaches out, mentors should let the student know so the student can look for another mentor.
  7. Ideally, a good match means that mentors and students will stay in touch over time, but it may also be the case that the needs of the parties are met in one meeting.
  8. Maintenance of the relationships is left primarily to students, though both parties are expected to uphold these principles.
  9. Students should not contact mentors with the purpose of obtaining a job with the mentor’s employer and mentors should not actively recruit students.