Procedures, Forms, Dates and Deadlines

The following must be completed with your mentee before they conduct any research:

1. Research Authorization Form: All mentees conducting research in the chemistry building, regardless if the research is for pay, as a volunteer or for credit, need to complete this form before they start working in the lab. All fields on the form should be filled in and signed by the PI, mentor and mentee. The form needs to be submitted every semester and returned to the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office, RM 8442, before the add deadline (typically, the second Friday of the semester). More information regarding enrollment can be found on our FAQs page.
2. Online safety training: Mentees will be required to complete an online OSHA-certified chemical safety training before starting in the lab.  Information regarding this training will be sent directly to the mentee after their Research Authorization Form is received. This training needs to be completed regardless of research lab or project every 5 years.
3. Become familiar with and agree to all departmental safety rules: Mentees must understand and adhere to all departmental safety policies and procedures, including the ‘keys’ and ‘working alone’ policy that specifically states undergraduate researchers will not be given keys to the building and must never work alone.
4. Orientation to safety equipment and hazards in the lab: Before working in the lab, mentees must be given a tour of the space, including a tour of all safety equipment and safety hazards. Mentees should also be shown how to operate any relevant safety equipment (eye wash stations; showers, etc.) and given an overview of all safety procedures in the lab every semester, including the orientation checklist (section 5 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan).
5. Additional safety and ethics trainings: Mentees should be notified of any additional safety and/or responsible conduct in research trainings (i.e. radiation, biosafety, cryogen, laser, etc.) required by the lab before they conduct any research.  Many on-campus trainings are coordinated by Environment, Health & Safety.  Please visit their website for additional information: wisc.edu/training/
6. Discussion of the expectations for the semester: The expectations for the semester should be established and mutually agreed by both the mentor and mentee during the first weeks of a mentored project. Some items that should be explicitly discussed include: best way to communicate with each other (in-person, email, text, etc.), weekly time commitment and schedule, level of independence expected, the level of participation expected at group meetings and lab functions, shared goals for personal growth and research accomplishments and what to do when schedule changes occur. Additional items that are helpful to discuss, as well as a template for a mentoring compact, can be found here. 
7. (Optional) Completion of a mid-point mentor-mentee check-in: Frequent check-ins offer constructive, timely feedback regarding skill development, progress towards personal & research goals, and effectiveness of the mentored relationship. Suggestion for items to be discussed can be found here.

For additional strategies for effective mentorship, please visit this page.

Questions, comments or concerns? Please stop by the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office (RM 8442) or email at chem_ugr_research@chem.wisc.edu.

The following must be completed with your mentee before they conduct any research:

1. Research Authorization Form: All mentees conducting research in the chemistry building, regardless if the research is for pay, as a volunteer or for credit, need to complete this form before they start working in the lab. All fields on the form should be filled in and signed by the PI, mentor and mentee. The form needs to be submitted every semester and returned to the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office, RM 8442, before the add deadline (typically, the second Friday of the semester). More information regarding enrollment can be found on our FAQs page.
2. Reminded of departmental safety rules: Mentees should be reminded of and agree to all departmental safety policies and procedures, including the ‘keys’ and ‘working alone’ policy that specifically states undergraduate researchers will not be given keys to the building and must never work alone.
3. Review safety procedures of the lab: Mentees should be reminded of the of how to use and locate all safety equipment and safety hazards in the lab (eye wash stations; showers, etc.). Mentees should also be given a refresher on the safety procedures in the lab, including the orientation checklist (section 5 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan).
4. Additional safety and ethics trainings: Mentees should be notified of any additional safety and/or responsible conduct in research trainings (i.e. radiation, biosafety, cryogen, laser, etc.) required by the lab.  Many on-campus trainings are coordinated by Environment, Health & Safety.  Please visit their website for additional information: wisc.edu/training/
5. Discussion of the expectations for the semester: The expectations for the semester should be established and mutually agreed by both the mentor and mentee during the first weeks of a mentored project. Some items that should be explicitly discussed include: best way to communicate with each other (in-person, email, text, etc.), weekly time commitment and schedule, level of independence expected, the level of participation expected at group meetings and lab functions, shared goals for personal growth and research accomplishments and what to do when schedule changes occur. Additional items that are helpful to discuss, as well as a template for a mentoring compact, can be found here. 
6. (Optional) Completion of a mid-point mentor-mentee check-in: Frequent check-ins offer constructive, timely feedback regarding skill development, progress towards personal & research goals, and effectiveness of the mentored relationship. Suggestion for items to be discussed can be found here.

For additional strategies for effective mentorship, please visit this page.

Questions, comments or concerns? Please stop by the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office (RM 8442) or email at chem_ugr_research@chem.wisc.edu.

The following must be completed with your mentee before they conduct any research:

1. Research Authorization Form: All mentees conducting research in the chemistry building, regardless if the research is for pay, as a volunteer or for credit, need to complete this form before they start working in the lab. All fields on the form should be filled in and signed by the PI, mentor and mentee. The form needs to be submitted every semester and returned to the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office, RM 8442, before the student begins conducting research.  More information regarding enrollment can be found on our FAQs page.
2. Online safety training: Mentees will be required to complete an online OSHA-certified chemical safety training before starting in the lab.  Information regarding this training will be sent directly to the mentee after their Research Authorization Form is received. This training needs to be completed regardless of research lab or project every 5 years. For some programs, this training will be imbedded in their orientation–if this is the case, the student researcher will be asked to share proof of their successful completion of the chemical safety training.
3. Become familiar with and agree to all departmental safety rules: Mentees must understand and adhere to all departmental safety policies and procedures, including the ‘keys’ and ‘working alone’ policy that specifically states undergraduate researchers will not be given keys to the building and must never work alone.
4. Orientation to safety equipment and hazards in the lab: Before working in the lab, mentees must be given a tour of the space, including a tour of all safety equipment and safety hazards. Mentees should also be shown how to operate any relevant safety equipment (eye wash stations; showers, etc.) and given an overview of all safety procedures in the lab every semester, including the orientation checklist (section 5 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan).
5. Additional safety and ethics trainings: Mentees should be notified of any additional safety and/or responsible conduct in research trainings (i.e. radiation, biosafety, cryogen, laser, etc.) required by the lab before they conduct any research.  Many on-campus trainings are coordinated by Environment, Health & Safety.  Please visit their website for additional information: wisc.edu/training/
6. Discussion of the expectations for the semester: The expectations for the semester should be established and mutually agreed by both the mentor and mentee during the first weeks of a mentored project. Some items that should be explicitly discussed include: best way to communicate with each other (in-person, email, text, etc.), weekly time commitment and schedule, level of independence expected, the level of participation expected at group meetings and lab functions, shared goals for personal growth and research accomplishments and what to do when schedule changes occur. Additional items that are helpful to discuss, as well as a template for a mentoring compact, can be found here. 
7. (Optional) Completion of a mid-point mentor-mentee check-in: Frequent check-ins offer constructive, timely feedback regarding skill development, progress towards personal & research goals, and effectiveness of the mentored relationship. Suggestion for items to be discussed can be found here.

For additional strategies for effective mentorship, please visit this page.

Questions, comments or concerns? Please stop by the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Office (RM 8442) or email at chem_ugr_research@chem.wisc.edu.

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