Creating a Mentoring Agreement

Mentor agreements operate similar to a contract between faculty and students outlining goals, expectations, and other aspects of collaborative work. These can be reviewed in partnership with students near the beginning of undergraduate research projects and throughout the time they work with you to reference as needed.

Undergraduate Research Liability Information


The University is self-insured under ORS 352.087 with adequate levels of excess general liability and commercial auto liability insurance and maintain workers’ compensation insurance for its employees in conformance with ORS Chapter 656.017, subject to the Oregon Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.260 – 30.300).

Common Expectations that may go into a Mentoring Agreement

  • Project goals and anticipated outcomes
  • Timeline of activities and meetings
  • Student's learning and professional development goals
  • Training requirements and plans
  • Communication preferences and contact information
  • Expectations and cultural norms
  • Compliance procedures and ethics
  • Plans for dissemination (conferences, publications, etc.)

Mentor Agreement Templates

Check out templates used by other universities to help you develop your own agreement.

Oregon State University

University of Colorado Boulder

Purdue University

Oklahoma State University

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University Liability and Volunteer Forms

  • Student employees are considered employees and are included in the University's coverages described above. Students working as Registered Volunteers with the University are covered by the University's coverages described above except for workers' compensation coverage, as volunteers are not considered employees of the University. The appropriate volunteer forms can be found here: https://risk.oregonstate.edu/volunteer
  • Regardless of employment classification, the University recommends all students maintain comprehensive health/medical insurance for themselves.
Office of Undergraduate Research