Following opening remarks by University President William P. Leahy, SJ, and Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties William B. Neenan, SJ, the first discussion, "Mentoring: The Needs of Students and Faculty," will be presented. The panelists will be Assoc. Prof. Renato Mirollo (Mathematics), Senior Lect. Catherine Schneider (Economics), and seniors Kristin Pugh and Thomas Rea.
At 3 p.m., a second panel will discuss current mentoring initiatives at the University. The discussants will be School of Education Assistant Dean John Cawthorne, College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Dean Clare Dunsford, Career Center Director Frank Fessenden and Carroll School of Management Associate Dean Richard Keeley.
The event will include opportunities for members of the audience to pose questions and make comments on the presentations. A reception will follow in the Gasson Rotunda.
Interviewed last week, Fr. Neenan said the term "mentoring" encompasses a range of activities, such as advising students about academic and career choices; helping them choose an appropriate summer internship; or providing assistance in resolving a family or personal problem which might affect their studies. Students have frequently suggested that the University could improve its offerings in these and other related areas, he said, and that faculty play more of a mentoring role.
"There are many individuals, offices and programs doing a superb job in helping undergraduates at many stages of their Boston College careers," Fr. Neenan said. "I believe, however, that we can always do better. It's the intent of this year's event to address that issue."