The foundation of a mentor and mentee relationship is supposed to be clear and helpful. Hostile intentions and failed attempt and failed attempts at popularity recreate this relationship at Florida A&M (FAMU).

FAMU has a myriad of peer mentoring and leadership development programs. These points of contact are often student run clubs, organizations or a part of a university program. Mentors who donate their time and wisdom get an opportunity help another student transition into the university. However, mentors sometimes use this opportunity as a chance to live vicariously through mentees.

Allahandro Bradford, a criminal justice and pre-law student from West Palm Beach, Fla., who serves as a Lead peer mentor for the Office of University Retention, said he feels that mentoring is good if the intentions are pure. Bradford’s role allows him to help transition 25 students from high school to college. He understands firsthand the importance of proper mentorship.

“It is good to have someone experienced to show you the do’s and don’ts of the university,” Bradford said.

“Freshmen oftentimes fall prey to ill-intentioned mentors because they place their trust in the first upperclassman that they meet,” said Lawrence Brown who is the coordinator of FAMU’s First Year Experience Program. The students do not understand the time, money and favoritism that contribute to the glamorized social success stories they’ve heard.

Students who enroll in summer sessions meet people seeking mentees sooner than others. Upperclassmen scout them early and befriend them with first-year survival tips, rides to Walmart and help moving in. Most mentors critique physical features first in selecting a mentee. Being lighter, having long hair, or fitting the stereotype of what is considered to be ‘masculine’ play a major role in being selected for mentorship public speaking ability, likeability, and style factor in the decision making process.

Mentees are often later grouped with similar freshmen. These groups of mentees often help create early friendship networks. After the proper introductions to prominent campus officials and personal grooming, the race for social status begins. The top prizes in the competition crowns, titles, and/or Greek letters.

Davonte Fason, a second-year psychology student from Bartow, Fla., said he feels mentoring takes patience and experience.

“Mentors that I’ve had, including teachers, friends, and family, have always given me the option to determine my own success,” said Fason.

The downside to the exploitative mentoring present on campus is that everyone cannot win and every goal will not be accomplished. Student pride and feelings are often hurt when they come to realize that a system of unwritten rules that may have worked for some does not work for all.

Once mentees realize that they received unfavorable advice, they tend to rebel. Mentor-to-mentee relationships become distant or nonexistent as the mentee searches for his or her own path on campus.