ALUMNI MENTORS
Confidentiality Checklist
Instructions: Answer each question with yes, no, or not sure. Both you and your mentoring
partner should work through your own copy of the checklist. When you’ve both completed the
checklist, think about whether or not there are additional assumptions you hold that need to be
added to the list. Review and discuss each item with your mentoring partner. Allow or a full
discussion of any differences before coming to consensus.
Yes/No/Not Sure
1. ____________
2. ____________
3. ____________
Which of the following assumptions about confidentiality do you hold?
What we discuss stays between us for the duration of our partnership.
If asked by the Program Coordinator, I can freely disclose our conversation.
After our formal partnership has ended, it is okay to talk about what we discussed
or how we related.
4. ____________ If there is a demonstrated need to know, I can appropriately disclose our
conversations, my impressions, or anything else that pertains to the relationship.
5. ____________ What we say between us stays there unless you give me permission to talk about it
with others.
6. ____________ Some issues will be kept confidential, while others will not.
7. ____________ It is okay to discuss how we relate to one another but not the content of our
conversations.
8. ____________ It is okay to talk about what we discuss as long as it is positive.
Are there any other assumptions I hold that should be added to the list?
Confidentiality Safeguards
Breach of confidentiality is a major stumbling block in mentoring partnerships. While you’re likely to
confide in your mentoring partner, it’s important to clarify your expectations of confidentiality up front.
We often assume confidentiality without talking about what it means to us, which means our
assumptions go undisclosed and untested. Commit to checking your assumptions with one another on
an ongoing basis to ensure mutual accountability within your partnership.
Confidentiality can be hard to talk about; the Confidentiality Checklist above provides a helpful
framework to get the conversation started. The object is to create consensus about what is confidential
and what is not. The terms you agree to will help to promote open and candid communication.
Adapted from Zachary, L. J., Daloz, L. A., & Book 24x7, I. (2000). The mentor's guide: Facilitating effective
learning relationships (1st ed.). San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers.