Professional Responsibility Agreement and Code of Conduct

Updated: 2/22/25

The below agreement sets forth the guidelines and goals of Tufts mentoring programs facilitated by the Tufts Career Center, the Office of Alumni Engagement, and Alumni Career Services.  This agreement also refers to use of The HERD, Tufts University’s online mentoring and networking community. Mentors and mentees agree to make a good faith effort to engage and contribute to the relationship with students and alumni in a professional manner and abide by the guidelines set forth by Tufts University at all times. For the purposes of the program, “Mentor” and “Mentee” reflect the roles of information/advice provider and information/advice seeker, whether the relationship is sustained over time or short term. 

Mentoring Program Purpose

The goal of mentoring is to provide real-world, beyond-the-classroom exposure, helping students and alumni build relationships with professionals.

Mentor and Mentee Understanding

As a member of The Herd, I am prepared to interact professionally and respectfully with fellow Jumbos and will be held to high ethical standards and responsibility.

I understand and agree to the policies and principles below, which have been established to ensure my professionalism and character during my involvement in the program. The Career Center and the Office of Alumni Engagement are committed to helping Jumbos develop the necessary skills to cultivate and pursue professional connections and opportunities. I recognize that my actions will reflect upon me, fellow students and alumni, and the University. I will provide accurate information in all materials and actions during all mentoring, networking, and internship/job search activities while interacting on/off campus with those in the Tufts community (includes: alumni, students, parents, faculty/staff). I will communicate and present myself professionally, while being courteous/respectful in my interactions (in person, in writing, by phone, video call or email). 

I will not use the mentoring program or The Herd platform/program to solicit business. I will not use the program as a social platform. I understand that all relationships are to be of a professional nature. I will report any inappropriate use of the platform to theherd@tufts.edu .

While the mentee/mentor relationship is personalized, it is imperative these relationships remain professional and mirror mentor/mentee relationships in a business organization. 

Mentors and mentees have the right to end the mentoring relationship at any time. Tufts University may also remove participants from The Herd when warranted, as determined in its sole discretion.

University Policies

Tufts University expects program participants to demonstrate professional integrity and to comply with the expectations and guidelines for participation as well as all applicable University policies, including Tufts University Student Code of Conduct, the Tufts Sexual Misconduct and Non-Discrimination Policy, and the expectations set forth in this agreement. Discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct are prohibited. 

Community Values Statement

Tufts Career Center and the Office of Alumni Engagement expect mentors and mentees to adhere to shared community values. Our missions invoke an environment of mutual respect, free expression and inquiry. Program participants accept these principles when they join this community. In doing so, they agree to abide by the following Community Values: 1. Respect for the rights, differences, experiences and dignity of others. 2. Expression of viewpoints in a thoughtful and respectful manner. 3. Honesty and integrity in working with all members of the community. 4. Accountability for personal behavior 

Communication

  • All software platforms used to manage the mentoring program, including The Herd, at Tufts are intended for official University use related to the program and for individual communication between Tufts’ mentees, mentors, and the University staff administering the platform and program. Use of any information contained therein for any other purpose is prohibited.
  • Participants should make sure that all communication (whether face to face or by email, mail, phone, social media, or otherwise) is conducted in a professional, business-like manner, both in content and tone.
  • Participants agree that Tufts University may contact them directly with messages related to the program or The Herd, including requests for feedback regarding program experience. Participants also agree to respond in a timely fashion.

Mentees (Advice Seekers) will:

  • Respect time and expertise, utilize available resources to ensure that all outreach emails are professional, honor all commitments, and seek to achieve goals as jointly agreed upon with their mentors
  • Evaluate their goals and interests, share information about themselves, and showcase their interest in forming a relationship with their mentors through research about their mentors’ areas of expertise and career journey
  • Never initiate a request for a job or internship from their mentors. While relationships may evolve to a place where mentors are able to connect mentees with employers and organizations of interest, mentees should not initiate this request
  • Acknowledge calls, emails, and invitations, and respond appropriately in a timely manner (within 24-48 business hours). Mentees will respond as early as possible providing alternate times to connect if their schedules change. Mentees should understand mentors are working professionals and being flexible and adaptable to the changing schedules of mentors is necessary.
  • Be actively engaged. Mentees will recognize their responsibility for initiating and working jointly with their mentors to set and meet all expectations for flash and if desired, long-term relationships
  • Be prepared for each discussion with mentors. Mentees should prepare an introduction about themselves and research their mentors before their initial call or meeting.
  • Arrange to be in a quiet place during any phone or video calls and always come prepared with a list of questions and items they hope to discuss, while remaining open to detours within conversations
  • Be open to discussing their hopes, fears, and uncertainties about the past, present, and future
  • Actively listen to stories shared by mentors and ask questions about their career journey
  • Respect the confidentiality of shared information. All communication should remain confidential unless otherwise agreed upon.
  • Thank mentors for taking the time to speak with mentees and reflect on the conversation. Mentees should follow-up on all commitments in a timely manner and remember that mentorship is a two-way street.
  • Share and celebrate success with mentors. If mentees land an internship, make a pivotal decision, get accepted to grad school, or receive a job interview, they’ll let mentors know and always thank them for any advice or direction they have provided along the way.

Mentors (Advice and Information Providers) will: 

  • Respond promptly to requests from students to connect and be clear about what they’re willing to do, including the time they’re willing to spend and the kind of support they’re able to give.
  • Actively listen and help mentees solve problems and arrive at conclusions rather than give direction. While a mentoring relationship is typically fulfilling for both the mentor and mentee, mentors’ primary objective is the personal and professional development of mentees.
  • Read and continue to look out for new mentorship training materials in the resource section of The Herd to improve their skills and learn strategies and best practices.
  • Listen to mentees and share their own stories while respecting the differences between mentees’ dreams and mentors’ reality.
  • Create a safe and trusting space for the delivery of information and feedback using a respectful, clear, judgment-free tone.
  • Notify mentees immediately if mentor’s level of involvement must change. If at any point, mentors are no longer able to, or no longer want to, participate in the program, they will notify all mentees about their situation as soon as possible.
  • Not serve as a legal or financial advisor or attempt to professionally counsel mentees. Mentors are not expected to have all the answers. If they ever feel they cannot provide appropriate support for the mentees’ needs, they will connect mentees to appropriate resources at Tufts University.
  • Seek to achieve the utmost professionalism in relationships with mentees. If ever concerned by the unprofessional behavior of a mentee, mentors will provide feedback in order to support the mentee’s growth and inform Tufts University Career Center staff of any incidents they feel should be addressed by the University.
  • Notify Tufts Career Center staff of any issues you become aware of that make you concerned about the mentee’s safety or overall wellbeing so that the university can provide appropriate support and follow-up.

Privacy

  • The mentoring relationship may involve sharing information that is not appropriate to share with others. Except with regard to reporting concerns to the University, participants should not without consent disclose, share, duplicate, or distribute information shared in the course of mentorship discussions.
  • Participants understand that some or all program administrators will be able to view all information that is added to profiles and all communications that are sent through the platform.