Tree of the month: a mentored, web-based learning experience

In Fall 1996 the College of Forestry at Oregon State University conducted a student-led retreat to discuss the need for mentoring in the university environment. It was attended by undergraduate and graduate students, by faculty and staff, and by a few members of the local professional community. We discussed what mentoring is (different things to different people), who needs it (we all do, but in differing amounts), who can provide it (we all can, but in different situations), and what college administrators can do to foster it (fund it!). The key idea that I took away from the retreat is that what mentoring needs most to succeed is personal commitment. Commitment on the part of those who want to be mentored and commitment on the part of those willing to serve as mentors. The rest is details