Department of Human Resources

Guidelines for Giving References Memo

Contained in this packet are guidelines for giving references on UMD students, student employees, and non-academic employees. Also included are a sample reference letter and appropriate Reference Request Consent Forms.

When giving references on UMD students, student employees, and non-academic employees, you may verify dates of enrollment or employment according to guidelines for release of directory information. If you are requested to provide more information than this, a completed written Reference Request Consent Form is required. Directory information guidelines may be found on the web for the University of Minnesota Office of General Counsel, http://www.ogc.umn.edu/services/.

A consent form is required in order for you to provide a reference for an employee or a student that goes beyond the dates of employment or enrollment and whether or not the applicant has ever been employed or been a student with the University.

Sample Reference Letter:
http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/Policies/references/letter.htm

Student Reference Request Consent Form:
http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/Policies/references/student.htm

Employee Reference Request Consent Form:
http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/Policies/references/consent.htm

Suggested Guidelines for Providing (Verbal and Written) References for Students
http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/Policies/references/guidelines.htm

Faculty Guide to Ethical and Legal Standards in Student Hiring
http://www.naceweb.org/committee/whitepapers/Facultyguide.doc

Minnesota Job Reference Law
http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/Policies/references/referencelaw.htm

If you have questions about providing references for current students or alumni, please contact Julie Westlund at 218-726-8964 or jwestlun@d.umn.edu.

For questions about providing references for student or non-academic employees, please contact Judith Karon at 218-726-6326 or jkaron@d.umn.edu.