HELPS Buddy Program

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before participating in the UTS HELPS Buddy Program. These terms apply to both students and volunteers. By participating in the program, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Participation

  • I have read the Buddy Program guides on the UTSHELPS webpage. I also agree to abide by the UTS Student Charter(UTS students) and UTS Code of Conduct (UTS staff, alumni and community volunteers).
  • I understand that student buddies can choose volunteers and volunteer buddies can choose students in this program by making requests through the online mentoring platform. At certain times within the semester, it may take longer to find a buddy. If you have any concerns please email HELPSBuddies@uts.edu.au for assistance.

Meetings

  • I can arrange meetings online or in-person. If my buddy and I arrange meetings in-person, I agree to meet my buddy on UTS premises for a minimum of 6 meetings. (You are only insured while you are here on UTS premises. If in-person meetings continue or are conducted outside of UTS they are no longer considered to be part of the HELPS Buddy Program. Buddies are also not expected to meet more than 6 times unless they would like to )
  • I understand my buddy and I can decide where on UTS campus to meet. (Some people go to a busy café and others prefer a quieter place on campus, like the UTSHELPS Volunteer Lounge on level 5. You can also meet up online using video calls if you are both comfortable with that.)
  • I understand some volunteers will meet 1 student and others will meet 2 students. The volunteer has the option of meeting 2 students at the same time for 6 meetings as a group of 3 or they can meet with each student separately for 6 meetings each. (It is the volunteer's responsibility to record 6 meetings with each student if they decide to meet them separately).
  • I understand the Buddy Program is for conversation practice only. (Though it is a good opportunity to talk about assignments to help clarify ideas, it is not a volunteer’s responsibility to edit written work. This may be in breach of the university’s plagiarism policies. For help with writing, students should come into the HELPS centre and talk to our Learning Advisors.)
  • I understand asking someone to wait for longer than 15 minutes in case of delay is considered unreasonable. (At the first meeting discuss how you want to keep in touch—through the matching platform or by exchanging phone numbers and email addresses, if agreed by all buddies.)

Completing the Buddy Program

  • If I want to stop my meetings I understand I should contact HELPS. (It is important to also confirm with your buddy that you can no longer continue. If needed, HELPS can contact your buddy for you.)
  • If I am a volunteer buddy I will be entitled to a Buddy Program certificate after I have completed the online evaluation and recorded 6 meetings. (Certificates are only issued to volunteer buddies).

Contact us

Any concerns or queries can be directed to the HELPS Volunteer Manager or HELPSBuddies@uts.edu.au.