MSA supports proposed lecture mentorship plan

The Michigan Student Assembly passed a resolution last week to establish a lecture mentorship program designed to advise first-year students enrolled in large introductory-level courses.

If the resolution is approved by University administrators and faculty, professors and graduate student instructors from these courses would select five juniors or seniors who took the courses the previous semester and "seem to know how to get an 'A'," said LSA Rep. Sarah Chopp.

Student mentors would be available to answer questions that first-year students may not feel comfortable asking professors and GSIs.

"I think that people come to this University and it can be very intimidating," said Chopp, an LSA first-year student. "By large lectures and by being a freshman, you can be overwhelmed. I think this will be beneficial because it will allow freshmen to feel more secure in their lectures."

Chopp said she plans to write a proposal letter that would need the support of the deans of each school at the University.

After gaining dean support, Chopp will send letters to the department heads and seek their approval of the program. If department heads deny the program, Chopp will seek the individual backing of professors.

Chopp campaigned with the lecture mentorship program idea during MSA elections in November.

If the plan is implemented, the names of the student mentors and contact information will be printed on course syllabi.

Mentors would work with primarily first-year students, but could work with sophomores enrolled in introductory courses.

LSA first-year student Sara Spielman said that talking to peer mentors would create a more comfortable relationship between students and course advisers.

"If you're talking to a student, (it would) be less formal," Spielman said. "You can get more of an insider's perspective rather than an authoritative one."

Chopp said first-year students may have a difficult time in classes because they don't know juniors or seniors who have already taken the courses.

"We're kind of at a disadvantage for networking," Chopp said.

But some students said they might not have time to serve as mentors.

"It is a good idea and freshmen would benefit from it," said LSA sophomore Eric Ford. "But I personally would not be a mentor because I would not have time."

Chopp said she wants mentors to work on a voluntary basis. She said she hopes first-year students will not be the only beneficiaries of the program.

"Keeping in touch with professors" and using the program as "something to put on a resume" are rewards for the mentors, Chopp said.

"I'm hoping that that will be enough of an incentive. I really want this to be a voluntary thing," Chopp said.

Chopp said she plans to integrate the program into the LSA curriculum. by fall and eventually implement the program in the University's other schools and colleges.

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