Students experiencing a conflict with peers, roommates, faculty or others can contact the Dean of Students who will listen to the student and discuss which of the conflict management processes available might be the most helpful in managing or resolving the problem. If, after this conversation, the student decides that they would like to participate in a conflict resolution process a member of the Spalding professional or paraprofessional staff will work through the process with them. 

Facilitators may be members of the Student Development and Campus Life staff, a student leader, a counselor, or a Graduate Assistant. 

If an agreement is made between the disputing parties, it will be one that was created and agreed to by the students involved in the conflict, not an administrator or other 3rd party. If you would like to speak with a staff member about a dispute you are experiencing, you can contact the Office of the Dean of Students. 

Conflict Resolution Processes 

Mediation 

Mediation is a dispute resolution process during which a trained, neutral facilitator meets with parties involved in a conflict and helps them resolve the issue by providing guidelines for communication and ensuring that everyone involved has a chance to speak. 

Restorative Circles 

Restorative Circles are a dispute resolution process based upon the principles of restorative justice. Circles seek to address conflicts by: 

• Providing opportunities for dialogue between offending parties and those they have harmed by their actions. 
  
• Encouraging collaborations between the offending and harmed parties rather than isolating them. 
  
• Showing respect for all parties including offenders, impacted individuals, and community. 
  
• Developing a mutually agreed upon resolution with the input of those harmed that also restores relationships and the balance of the community.

Restorative circles are used at the Spalding University when an incident or conflict is impacting a group of community members. Restorative circles are also used in some conduct cases. 

Dialogue 

Dialogue is a facilitated conversation during which people with different beliefs and perspectives seek to develop mutual understanding about a particular topic. Participants in dialogue often gain fresh perspectives on the conflict and begin to see new possibilities for interaction and action outside of the dialogue room. 

At Spalding University we use dialogue programs to address issues impacting our community on a large scale. Some examples of topics that have been discussed at dialogue programs at Spalding previously, include, but are not limited to; changes to the policy on smoking/tobacco use on campus, a proposed move from a 6-Week Session system to a semester system, and ongoing ‘Dialogues on Diversity’. 

Conflict Coaching 

Conflict coaching is a 1:1 meeting between an SDCL staff member and a student interested in resolving a conflict without the assistance of a 3rd party. During the conflict coaching session, the staff member assists the student in identifying conflict management strategies that are targeted specifically to their particular situation and that can be implemented without a 3rd party facilitator. Not only can conflict coaching assist students in resolving the immediate conflict concerning them, but can help students develop strategies for more effectively addressing conflict in the future.