Peer Mentor Handbook
2015-2016
Columbia Law School
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Dear Mentors,
Thank you so much for agreeing to serve as a mentor in Columbia Law School’s Peer Mentor Program. As you know,
Student Services strives to support students in a number of ways, but we cannot accomplish this mission without your
help. You possess unique and invaluable views on the culture, legacy, academics, living environment, and world views
that make up the rich and diverse world that is Columbia Law School. The experience and knowledge you are choosing
to share with the rising 1L class will add a unique measure of depth to the new student experience that only you can
provide.
Please take a moment to read through this packet. Enclosed is information that will help aid you through your tenure as
a mentor. If you find any information missing, or feel there is something we should add, please let us know. Again,
Student Services is excited to support you in the peer mentoring experience.
If you have any questions, the email address mentoring@law.columbia.edu is the dedicated address for all mentoring
questions or call 212-854-0137.
Thank you!
Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin
Dean of Students
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Yadira Ramos-Herbert
Director of Academic Counseling
and Student Outreach
Juliana Utley
Associate Director
Peer Mentor Responsibilities
The Peer Mentor Program is a bit different this year. The mentee groups are the 1L small sections. Each one of you has
had at least one professor that your mentees will have this Fall Semester.
This year we will not require you to set up your own group events. Instead, there are monthly dates (listed below)
where we expect the mentors to be available to their mentees. The dates for the Fall Semester are listed below. If you
are unable to attend an event, please email us to let us know.
We also expect each mentor to check-in with their mentee monthly. This can be via e-mail or through a non-peer
mentor group event. While you are not required to set up your own group event, if you are interested in organizing an
event Student Services will fund at least 1 event per group in the fall semester
Communication with your Mentees
By checking-in, we hope you will highlight important events (social and academic), encourage group members to form
study groups, encourage group members to attend office hours, pass on advice you wish you would have received
during certain times of the year (Legal Methods Exam, Thanksgiving, Midterms, etc) or simply just serve as a friendly
reminder to your mentees that you are here to support them. Communication does not need to be long or formal; you
know how much time you and your group members have available.
Communication with Student Services
Please feel free to send an email (mentoring@law.columbia.edu), give a call (212-854-0137) or stop by our offices to let
us know how the Peer Mentor program is going or any questions or comments you might have.
Additionally, each group will now have a designated Peer Mentor group leader. This person will be responsible for
responding to emails from the mentoring email account regarding RSVPs and for picking up the Letter of Credit should
the group decide to create their own event.
Choose your own Adventure: Planning an Event
Student Services will provide funds of up to $12 per person for one event each semester. While you are not required to
set up your own event, we do encourage you to plan one as we think it will help to build camaraderie. Funds are
available via letter of credit. For those of you unfamiliar with the letter of credit process please stop by Student
Services; we are happy to help you with this process. For your convenience, we have provided a list of vendors who
accept the letters of credit as payment.
Last year the most successful events were “check-in” events where Peer Mentors set up breakfast or lunch and the
mentees were able to stop by (maybe a Saturday morning or maybe right before a big institutional event like the Senate
Halloween Party), grab a bite and ask their questions. From speaking with the mentors who planned these events they
required very little planning but yielded great results as the mentees were able to touch base and ask their questions.
Never pay an individual or establishment for goods and/or services out of your pocket. THIS IS WORTH REPEATING;
NEVER PAY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ESTABLISHMENT FOR GOODS AND/OR SERVICES OUT OF YOUR POCKET. Columbia
University is required, by federal law, to report to the IRS all payments made to individuals and partnerships for goods
and/or services provided to student groups and others. The reimbursement process can be cumbersome and takes time!
Always use a letter of credit for your purchases.
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Additionally, please remember that the university is a tax exempt organization. Vendors should not charge your
group tax. If you have any questions about this policy, or a vendor’s relationship with the University, please drop by
Student Services.
THANK YOU!
We seriously cannot thank you enough for all of your help in making this program run! We look forward to working with
you this upcoming year!!
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FALL 2015 PEER MENTOR EVENTS (PLEASE SAVE THE DATES)
Peer Mentor Program Kick-off Dinner
August 17, 2015 at 5:00pm
Meet in the Basement of Big Warren
This evening begins with a short information session, "For Mentors Only" from 5:00-5:30. The info session is also where
you'll pick up your swag and we should have your BROADWAY TICKETS for distribution, so you’ll want to be on time!
Then you will all go to your pre-assigned restaurant for the 1L Kick-Off Dinner. Your 1L Mentees are scheduled to arrive
at 6:00pm and we have the restaurant until 8:00pm.
There will be four (4) mentor groups at each restaurant. You will have name badges with the number of your group
clearly noted on the front of the badge. The 1Ls will also have their group numbers on the back of their name badges.
During the Peer Mentor Kick-off Dinner, a lot of what you do is up to you, but we suggest you try to do the following:

Meet your group

Eat dinner

Conduct at least one “ice breaker” activity so your mentees can get to know you and each other (we will
provide you with one activity)

Collect/confirm the contact information for all group mentees

Confirm Broadway Show plan
We suggest that a few days after the dinner you send an email to the group to check-in and see if there are any new
questions.
If you cannot attend the dinner, please contact your group members to introduce yourself and set up a time when your
group can meet.
Mentors on Broadway
August 2015
Each group received an email with their dates. If you have any questions or plans change please email
mentoring@law.columbia.edu or call 212-854-0137.
Student Senate Block Party
Friday, September 18, 2015
Revson Plaza
With over 100 student organizations (and counting) this is a great way for you to meet up with your group and let them
know about ways they can get involved as students at Columbia Law School and even introduce them to some of the
student organization leadership.
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End of Legal Methods Celebration
Friday, September 25, 2015 ~ Starts at 1:30pm
Lenfest Cafe
Sometimes completing the Legal Methods exam can be a bit more like flying past a mile marker on the highway rather
than enjoying a breath of fresh air at a scenic vista. This year we hope that students can enjoy a glass of bubbly, some
fantastic conversation, and a bit of good ol’ fashion fun while celebrating the completion of the Legal Methods Exam.
Pumpkin Carving
Friday, October 30, 2015
Likely JG Annex
Encourage and join your mentees in some good ol’ fashion pumpkin carving! Yummy pies and warm drinks will be served
Peer Mentor Thank You Dinner
Monday, November 16, 2015
Place TBA
We want to thank you for all hard work this semester, so we hope you will join us for yummy food and great swag (of
course!).
Exam Preparation Help!
Friday, November 20, 2015
Rooms TBA
This is the Friday before Thanksgiving Break. Often times by this point anxiety over outlining builds up and a countdown
for exam time begins. We would love if you would meet with your group during this time. We will order the food and
provide the space. We just need you share your wisdom and reassurance of what you may have learned from your first
exam with the 1Ls!
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