First-Year Learning Communities (FLC)
The First-Year Learning Communities (FLC) Program in the Faculty of Arts and Science is designed to improve the transitional experience for first-year students. Learn more about the Computer Science stream FLC.
Second-Year Learning Communities (SLC)
Second Year Learning Communities (SLCs) is a Department of Computer Science project newly introduced for the 2017-2018 academic year. SLCs are designed to support students entering a Computer Science POSt by providing them with opportunities to build connections with their classmates and the CS community.
The students in each SLC meet biweekly outside of class time for community building and professional development activities. Each SLC will be facilitated by an SLC mentor team, which will consist of two third- or fourth-year students: a Peer Mentor (PM) and supporting Assistant Peer Mentor (APM). The PM and APM will be guided by staff and faculty advisors. SLC group meetings will occur biweekly in the fall and winter semesters. Tentative meeting times are 11:00am to 12:30 pm on Tuesdays, and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursdays.
Each SLC group of 25–30 students will have a modest budget to assist with planning activities. There is no cost for incoming CS POSt students to participate in the SLC program. Applications for participants will open shortly after POSt offers are made in July 2017.
Be part of the SLC Mentorship Team
Positions Available and Application Process: Applications are no longer being accepted
Peer Mentor and Assistant Mentor
Each Peer Mentor will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Attend each SLC meeting from September to April during the designated SLC time; the Peer Mentor facilitates each session, with the support of the Assistant Peer Mentor.
- Serve as a resource and role model for second year CS students on behalf of the Department of Computer Science and the University of Toronto.
- On biweekly basis, submit a SLC summary file which tracks session plans and reviews, attendance, and budget for the group.
- Meet regularly with the staff and faculty advisors to plan the content of the SLC meetings, including arranging for guest speakers. Programming will include academic, developmental, and social activities.
- Be familiar with the needs of second year students, develop a rapport with the students in their SLC, facilitate activities and group discussions, and promote awareness of the CS discipline’s campus resources.
- Be available to students in their SLC via email, responding promptly to queries and concerns.
- Be knowledgeable about University and community resources and communicate accurate and timely information to students about these resources.
- Notify the staff advisor about any student in difficulty and refer students to appropriate resources.
- Attend a 3-day mentor training program at the end of summer (Tentative dates August 29 – 31, 2017)
- Respond appropriately to feedback and evaluations.
Each Assistant Peer Mentor will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Attend each SLC meeting, from September to April, assisting the Peer Mentor and advisors.
- Serve as a resource and role model for second year students, meet with the staff and faculty advisor to plan the content of the SLC meetings, be knowledgeable about University and community resources
- Attend a 3-day mentor training program at the end of summer (Tentative dates August 29 – 31, 2017)
- Attend peer mentor meetings and events in the fall and winter sessions.
Requirements
Each Peer Mentor and Assistant Peer Mentor is required to do the following:- Have enough time in their schedule to set up and attend the SLC meetings (i.e. no classes or other commitments) from Sept. to April. The SLC groups will meet for 90 minutes, likely either Tuesdays 11:00am to 12:30pm, or Thursdays 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Meetings will occur weekly for the first two weeks of term in September and then continue on every other week (bi-weekly) for the remainder of the year. SLC times will not change between terms.
- Currently be enrolled in a CS program of study.
- Have completed at least three of CSC209H1, CSC236H1, CSC258H1, CSC263H1.
- Be sincerely interested in (and skilled at) promoting a supportive and welcoming environment for new CS POSt students from diverse backgrounds.
- Exhibit leadership potential and a strong commitment to the SLC program.
- Exhibit the ability to work effectively with SLC staff and faculty advisors, as well as a group of second year students.
- Have a strong desire to help second year students succeed and persist in a CS POSt, and be able to demonstrate creativity in developing programming to reflect this goal.
Remuneration
The Peer Mentor role is a voluntary position which will receive an honorarium of up to $1000 to be paid in two equal installments at the end of each semester, assuming the PM has fulfilled the responsibilities of their role, including fully attending training. PMs who do not fully attend the training program (tentatively scheduled for August 29-31) will have their honorarium reduced by 25%.The Assistant Peer Mentor role is a voluntary position which will receive an honorarium of up to $400 to be paid in two equal installments at the end of each semester, assuming the APM has fulfilled the responsibilities of their role, including fully attending training. APMs who do not fully attend the training program from August 29-31 will have their honorarium reduced by 25%.
How to apply
To apply for the SLC Peer Mentor/Assistant Peer Mentor role, send a copy of your resume, unofficial transcript, and completed application form. Applications for peer mentors are now closed.