Mentors and mentees alike must appreciate that the maximum time that a mentor can devote to the mentoring relationship will be 30 hours per academic year (September to May).聽
A mentorship agreement will be signed between the parties that sets out expectations with respect to matters such as time commitments, norms for communication, and confidentiality. The parties will have a 鈥渢rial period鈥� during which either can exit the mentoring connection without the need to give reasons or explanation.
It is important for all to appreciate that the mentor鈥檚 role is not to pass judgment on the quality of the mentee鈥檚 academic work/performance. A mentor cannot, for example, play a role in reviewing or commenting on a mentee鈥檚 draft reappointment or tenure dossiers. In the same vein, it should be noted that a mentorship relationship would normally preclude a mentor from serving on their own mentee鈥檚 reappointment or tenure committees, due to conflict of interest.