Hosts: Your Role

As a Host Organization, there are a few requirements you'll need to meet, and a few things you will be responsible for during the research placement, and certain things you can expect from the project.

Host Supervisor

The host organization designates a supervisor for the duration of the project to: work with U-Links staff to define the research question(s), meet and check in with the student, oversee the project, and generally keep things on track.

A supervisor should:

• Be accessible (i.e. reachable by phone, fax, email, and/or in person)
• Be able to devote some time to supporting the student and project
• Be knowledgeable with regards to the topic and issues involved in the research
• Be able to provide some initial resources to the student (i.e. books, contacts, etc)

Your Responsibilities to the Student and Project:

1. Orient the student to the organization and work site. Ensure the student understands any risks or hazards that may exist and the safety practices followed. Promptly report any incidents to U-Links/TCCBE staff.
2. Provide adequate direction, on-going communication, and feedback on the quality of work to enable the student to complete the project successfully.
3. Be available for occasional consultation and meetings with U-Links as needed for the purpose of monitoring the placement and the CBE program.
4. Cooperate in evaluation activities initiated by the instructor or Program staff.
5. Comply with Trent University/TCCBE policies and ethical guidelines, as advised by program staff, the instructor, or the student.
6. Cover certain project-related costs and supply resources as outlined in the Research Placement Agreement.

Insurance: In order to host a student, an organization should carry private insurance or WSIB. If a host does not have insurance, U-Links will assist in pairing them with another incorporated organization with insurance in order to minimize the organization's exposure to risk.

All host organizations are required to complete a Work/Education Placement Agreement offered by the Ontario Ministry of Education and available through U-Links. By doing so, the Ministry of Education covers the cost of worker's compensation and/or private insurance coverage for students. This relieves the host organization of the financial burden or paying premiums. No money actually changes hands, however, in the event of an incident, the Ministry provides insurance.

What You Can Expect

• The student to keep in touch with you about their progress on the project
• To keep in touch with the student yourself, to provide feedback, guidance and information
• Support from U-Links/TCCBE staff; when in doubt, contact us - we're here to help!
• A project that results in a useful report
• Freedom to communicate with the supervising professor throughout the project

Things to keep in Mind:

• There is no guarantee that your project will be picked-up by a student. Your project may not be selected at all or may not take place within the timeframe that you have requested.
• The student's work is not a professional consultant's report and the results may not meet all of your research needs.
• This is not a co-op or work placement. Students may come up to the area as few as 3 times, or as many as 12 times, depending on the nature of their research. They may or may not need to get in touch with you when they're here and much of their research can be done from Peterborough. The student may come in to access resources such as files and information or tools such as fax machines or Internet access, but cannot be expected to come in to your office on a regular basis.
• Students are asked to complete a Research Placement Agreement (RPA) in which they outline how they will go about answering your research question in a way that will also meet the requirements for course credit. This agreement is subject to your approval. A sample RPA is available online, and outlines the responsibilities of all parties in full.