[Molten]

Ok, let's go with the business analogy:

Ok, there is a need for a new part. Team gets together and discusses ideas. They narrow it down to two. They decide to go with one idea for whatever reason. One of the employees who didn't get their idea picked, decides to go ahead with his design. He steals a couple of people from the group to move it forward. He takes money from the mainstream plan to fund his design. The two designs are finished about the same time and are put to the test. There is a possibility of two outcomes:

1. The individuals idea is indeed better. The team goes with this idea. However, when the boss goes to review the design, he notices what the individual has done. The employee has undermined the team by taking funds and distracting co-workers. That employee is on the fast track to getting fired.

2. The individuals idea is actually worse. The team goes with the mainstream idea. The boss sees what the individual has done. Wasted time and money on something that is an inferior product. This gets him fired.

Notice a link between the two outcomes? In both, regardless of which design they go with, the person who goes against the team's best interest is usually fired. Regardless of whether or not they was right. Something to consider for next year. After the stunt that mentor pulled, I'd see about getting him removed from the team. Take these scenarios to the student team leader. See what he has to say.