Student Academic Mentor Job Description
General Description:
The Student Academic Mentor (SAM) is a paraprofessional staff member for the Department of Residence Life. The SAM provides a vital link with the first year residents participating in the First Year Residents Succeeding Together (FYRST) residential community. Under the supervision of the Coordinator for First Year and Academic Support Programs, the SAM works with FYRST RA staff to create and maintain an environment within the residence hall which is conducive to living and learning. In order to accomplish this, the SAM shares responsibility for the academic support initiatives offered in the FYRST residential community. The SAM must be flexible and creative in meeting the residents' needs by serving as an advisor, resource, educator, and friend. The position requires a serious time commitment and willingness to be available and accessible to other students.
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Job Specifications:
- A student enrolled in academic classes at the University of West Georgia . Must have cleared and/or exempted all Developmental Studies requirements.
- A resident of a UWG residence hall for at least one semester or have a comparable living experience at another institution.
- Possess a genuine interest in working with college students, particularly first year students, in a residence hall environment. Possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Must possess and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and possess a commitment to high academic standards (3.0 or higher is preferred).
- Have no outstanding judicial sanctions and maintain a clear judicial record.
- Be available to serve on staff for two semesters, or the remainder of the academic year if hired after the start of fall semester.
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Remuneration:
- The SAM is paid a stipend of $750.00 per semester distributed on a monthly basis. If a SAM has another on-campus job, s/he may not be paid for that job until the end of the month.
- Opportunity to interact with a variety of people. Chance to develop a variety of skills including: communication, leadership, organization, time management and counseling.
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Requirements: By accepting employment with the Department of Residence Life, a SAM agrees to the following requirements.
- Academics: An SAM must be enrolled as a full-time student and must be in good academic standing. This includes the following:
- Must enroll for an academic load of not less than 12 hours (undergraduate).
- May not carry an academic overload or more than 17 hours during the first semester of employment. After the first semester of employment, the SAM may not carry an academic overload without the approval of the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 during the period of employment (3.0 GPA is preferred).
- Outside Involvement: Frequently, members of the Department of Residence Life Staff are individuals who are involved in many facets of campus life, leadership, sports, and work. The SAM position demands a significant commitment of time and energy, which should not detract from student academic performance. Involvement in residence life activities such as staff meetings, floor and hall activities, staff training, and quality time with the residents must take priority over other social and work activities. Therefore, SAMs are not to pledge a fraternity, sorority, student teach, or hold an internship during the first semester of employment. After the first semester of employment, the SAM must receive approval from the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs to hold another paying or non-paying position during their employment as a SAM.
- Continuing Education Requirement: The skills needed to fulfill the SAM position successfully are many. Therefore, SAMs are required to attend many skill development opportunities, including the following:
- Weekly hall staff administrative/development meetings and one-on-ones.
- Staff training. All SAMs will be required to return to school and report to their assigned Residence Hall for orientation, training, and work sessions prior to the beginning of classes each academic semester.
This training takes precedence over any and all extracurricular activities with which an SAM is involved.
If a SAM lives off-campus, it is up to him/her to find a place to stay if his/her apartment is not available for move-in by the date SAMs must report for training. SAMs living on-campus will be allowed to move in to their residence halls early so as to be prepared for training.
- In-service training. The SAM may be required to attend departmental and hall specific continuing education programs as determined by the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs or the building supervisor.
This may include, but is not limited to CRLA Mentor Certification sessions and CSI training.
- Term of Employment: The SAM position is an academic year appointment. SAMs are hired on a year to year basis. Annual review of job performance by the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs will determine continued employment from one year to the next.
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Specific Responsibilities:
- Time Commitment. The SAM position is the SAMs principal non-academic activity. The SAM is expected to:
- Be available and accessible to the students on his/her floor.
- Be available and visible in the FYRST Residence Hall(s) during the weekdays and/or weekends. While SAMs do not always have scheduled responsibilities every weekend, they are encouraged to stay on campus at least two weekends a month to assist students and foster community within halls.
- Participate in extra-curricular activities in such a way that they will not conflict with the SAM position. (See number 2 under requirements.)
- Attend regular staff meetings, training sessions and other meetings as required by the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs and/or Department of Residence Life.
- Assist with fall and spring semester openings and check-in as needed.
- Assist with the departmental staff selection processes (SAM, RA, RD, RLC, etc.) each semester as necessary. Such activities may include recruiting, group process facilitation, and interviewing candidates.
- Participate in UWG Preview Days as needed.
- Academic and Community Development. The SAM is expected to promote an atmosphere conducive to individual and group development as well as academic success. The SAM is expected to:
- Know every student in his/her assigned mentee group.
- Meet with each assigned student within the first week of each semester, reviewing designated questions and materials.
- Hold bi-monthly meetings in the residence halls for assigned mentees in the fall and spring semester.
- Conduct one-on-one meetings with students as necessary.
- Be available to students for academic counseling, recognize personal limits and make appropriate referrals, while maintaining confidentiality.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of referral options within the University (i.e. EXCEL Center, Student Development Center) and be able to effectively refer students for assistance.
- Maintain an attitude of sincere interest in the residents. Encourage an atmosphere of courtesy, consideration, and unity among FYRST participants.
- Be aware of and report to the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs any illness, abnormal behavior, long absences or special concerns of assigned mentees.
- Assist in facilitating community development expectations of the assigned residence hall and Department of Residence Life, including development of learning communities or residential themes.
- Assist FYRST RAs with academic programs.
- Encourage student interaction with members of the university community by initiating programs involving faculty and staff.
- Support and attend programs in the residence halls.
- Administrative Duties. The SAM is primarily administratively responsible to the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs and is expected to:
- Assist with opening activities.
- Maintain a West Georgia e-mail account and check it at least once a day.
- Meet with FYRST RAs on a regular basis.
- Meet with the building RLC/RD as requested.
- Complete reports, including but not limited to thorough records of student contact and meeting attendance, as specified by the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs and the Department of Residence Life.
- Role Modeling and Conduct. By accepting employment with the Department of Residence Life, the SAM has accepted the responsibility to know, understand, and abide by the University of West Georgia's policies, procedures, and regulations. SAMs are responsible for all materials and information provided in the Student Academic Mentor Handbook and Sourcebook. SAMs serve as role models and their behavior should convey an image of responsibility and maturity. Violations of regulations by SAMs, or encouragement of residents to violate UWG policies, will not be tolerated and could result in immediate termination. An SAM is expected to:
- Comply with the FYRST residence hall substance free environment policy.
- Encourage by example the principles of individual responsibility and respect student development.
- Support and follow the regulations and policies outlined in the Student Academic Mentor Handbook, the Residence Life Handbook/Calendar, and The Connection.
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Evaluations:
The Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs will evaluate all SAMs at least two times a year. Residence hall students will have the opportunity to evaluate their SAM once a year. SAMs will be given the opportunity to evaluate the Coordinator of First Year and Academic Support Programs at least once a year.
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