Peer Coach Contract.

Boston University School of Public Health
Public Health Writing and Presentation Skills Programs

Contract for Peer Coaches

The knowledge, experience, and professionalism of peer coaches are the foundation of the Public Health Writing and Presentation Skills Programs for SPH degree candidates at Boston University School of Public Health. Peer coaches will report to the School of Public Health Program Manager.

Responsibilities

  • Peer coaches are responsible for attending all scheduled office hours. For outside office hour appointment, peer coaches are responsible for contacting students within 24 hours of receiving an email request for an appointment from the Program Manager and reporting to the Program Manager once they have contacted the student.
    • If, after receiving a request for an appointment, a peer coach is unable to meet with a student before the assignment due date, the peer coach should contact the Program Manager immediately.
  • All sessions must be conducted in person.
  • Peer coaches should arrive early and be prepared to start the sessions on time.
  • Peer coaches that serve as a teaching assistant or grader cannot provide writing or presentation assistance to students enrolled in the course. Please let the Program Manager know immediately so that scheduling accommodations can be made.
  • Peer coaches must submit reports to the Program Manager via the online report form at bu.edu/sph/peercoach/report by the end of each session. Peer coaches are responsible for providing a copy of the report for the student.
  • Peer coaches are expected to behave in a professional manner. Inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated at any time. Inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to, sexual harassment, physical or verbal abuse, inappropriate language, and drug and/or alcohol use before/during appointments. If any of these behaviors are reported and verified, the peer coach will be terminated from the Public Health Writing and Presentation Skills Programs and may face additional disciplinary action.
  • If a peer coach feels as though their student is acting inappropriately, they should contact the Program Manager immediately.
  • Personal relationships between peer coaches and their students are discouraged. However, if a peer coach or student deems that a relationship may form, they must contact the Program Manager immediately. The Program Manager will be responsible for reassigning the student to a different peer coach.

Crisis Management

Graduate school can be very stressful for students; some students come to school with family difficulties, financial problems, or other struggles that challenge their ability to succeed in this environment. You will be working with students under the extra stress of academic difficulties.

If at any time you feel a student expresses any feelings of depression, hopelessness, self-harm, or suicide, please contact the Program Manager; Mary Murphy-Phillips, Director of Graduate Student Life (617-638-5059); or Chris Paal, Director of Professional and Academic Services (617-638-4963).

If it is after hours, you may call Boston University Behavioral Medicine (881 Commonwealth Avenue) at 617-353-3569. Behavioral Medicine providers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are on campus and think that the situation is out of control, call Boston University Medical Campus Public Safety at 617-414-4444.

If you are off campus, call 911.

Privacy

Privacy of student educational records is primarily governed by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and regulations issued by the Secretary of Education. The records of any matriculated student in the post-secondary environment are covered by FERPA rights, meaning communication with parents and others is limited unless the student specifically allows communication. Tutors receive specific training and must also comply with the FERPA Act and the University’s stipulations in terms of student records and privacy.  Tutors with any questions are advised to err on the side of caution (do not release information) and to check with the SPH Registrar’s Office regarding an appropriate course of action.

I understand the responsibilities of the tutor position.

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