Mentor Program

Over 50 upperclassmen have volunteered to be Open Books-Open Minds mentors for 2009-2010. Each of these mentors will be assigned 20-25 new students. Together, mentors and new students will form book discussion groups to discuss pertinent themes, underlying issues, questions and concerns about this year's common book, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.

New students will also have the opportunity to consult mentors with questions or concerns regarding Rhode Island College campus life.

For more information, contact Shannon Carlson, OBOM Committee Member at scarlson_2264@ric.edu or Marissa Weiss, Assistant Director, Student Activities/OBOM Committee Member at mweiss@ric.edu.

Information for New Students

Information for 2009-2010 Mentors

Information for New Students

• The Open Books-Open Minds required reading assignment and mentor program will be introduced to you and your parents during the summer Orientation sessions.
• In July, students will receive a phone call from their assigned mentor. Mentors may provide their e-mail addresses so that students can contact them with any questions/concerns about the OBOM program or the RIC campus. If students do not hear from their mentors by the beginning of August, they can call Student Activities at 456-8034 or e-mail obom@ric.edu to find out the name and contact information for their assigned mentor. Students are also encouraged to join the OBOM Facebook group.
• Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 12:30pm - 2:00pm: (Required Attendance)
  Students will meet their OBOM mentor in a pre-designated location in the Student Union or Donovan Dining Center and participate in an interactive book discussion of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Mentors will lead these discussions and will also use this time to answer questions about the RIC campus. Any students who are unsure about their book discussion location can call Student Activities at 456-8034; mentors will tell students the location when they call in July.

For more information, Shannon Carlson, OBOM Committee Member at scarlson_2264@ric.edu or Marissa Weiss, Assistant Director, Student Activities/OBOM Committee Member at mweiss@ric.edu.

Information for 2009-2010 Mentors

• Pick up your copy of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, your list of mentees, and program instructions at Student Union 408.
• Over the summer, read the book and be ready to discuss the pertinent themes. You can access a book discussion guide at http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/pdfs/foer_extremely.pdf.
• In July, call your mentees to welcome them to RIC, remind them to read the book, and answer any questions that they may have about the College.
• Friday, September 4, 2009: Attend a mentor training session from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Student Union Ballroom. Here, mentors will learn how to facilitate a book discussion and will have the opportunity to discuss the book with OBOM Committee Members and other OBOM mentors. Be ready to share your thoughts/questions/concerns regarding Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
• Wednesday, September 9, 2009: Attend New Student Fest during Free Period (12:30 pm - 2:00 pm) in the Student Union Ballroom. Here, you will meet your mentees, facilitate a book discussion, and answer questions new students may have regarding the College.
• Mentors will receive a letter confirming their community service contribution and a certificate upon completion of the program.

For more information, Shannon Carlson, OBOM Committee Member at scarlson_2264@ric.edu or Marissa Weiss, Assistant Director, Student Activities/OBOM Committee Member at mweiss@ric.edu.

Open Books-Open Minds at RIC Facebook Group

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