FACULTY HANDBOOK July 2009 - Morgan State University

PAGE 38 * Morgan State University Faculty Handbook• Must possess deep understanding of their own communication stylesand a willingness to objectively observe the mentee.• Must be able to provide constructive criticism without damaging thementees’ morale.• Must have a sense of eagerness for learning new ideas.• Must be willing to listen.• Must be able to share information about professional opportunitiesinternal and external to the university (funding sources, potentialcollaborators, and publication outlets).The mentee, on the other hand, must be able to develop a keen focus on what is needed togrow professionally. The mentee must be willing to accept constructive criticism in keyareas, such as communications (oral and written), areas of expertise, technical abilitiesand leadership skills among others. The mentee must be willing to listen.Process:The Department Chair formally recommends the mentor, in consultation with the new facultymember. However, the Dean must be informed of this pairing. A faculty member in anotherdepartment or who participates in the new faculty member's cross-disciplinary program might beconsidered a good match because of common interests and responsibilities• Newly-tenured associate professors are valued mentors because they are close tothe contemporary realities of the tenure and promotion process.• New faculty members frequently prefer working with a mentor in thesame professional or disciplinary sub field. This may facilitateconversations about teaching and researchDisclaimer: Participation as a mentee does not guarantee an award of tenureand/or promotion.2.8 Commencement ParticipationIt is the policy of Morgan State University that only candidates who have applied for graduation by thepublished deadline and who have completed all academic requirements for graduation and who havesatisfied all financial obligations to the University may participate in the Commencement Ceremonies.Academic Requirements. Academic requirements include, but are not necessarily limited to, thesuccessful completion of freshman orientation courses, general education requirements, core courses andrequired electives in the major, and, projects and designs for professional programs. Academicrequirements also include, but are not necessarily limited to, passing scores on writing proficiency exams,speech proficiency exams, senior exit exams, and Praxis exams I and II.Financial Obligations. Financial obligations that must be settled prior to the deadline established by theBursar in the semester in which the student expects to graduate includes, but is not necessarily limited to,the current graduation fee, tuition, fees, and outstanding fines such as parking fines, library fines, andfines assessed by the Office of Residence Life.