Alternative Conflict Resolution
Conflict is inevitable and a natural aspect of the lived human experience. However, if left unresolved, conflict may result in strained relationships, misunderstandings, physical altercations, and a host of other avoidable problems. The Office for Student Conflict Resolution offers free and private alternative conflict resolution services to any University of Illinois student who is experiencing conflict with another and wishes to try to manage the conflict with the assistance of a neutral third party. At least one of the parties to the dispute must be a currently enrolled Illinois student.
About Alternative Conflict Resolution
Who can participate in Alternative Conflict Resolution?
ACR Services can provide assistance where one party is a student, in disputes between:
- Individuals
- Groups
- Teams
- Student Organizations
- Roommates
- Classmates
- Student Employees
Issues generally appropriate for Alternative Conflict Resolution Services
Situations where both parties agree to participate in conflict resolution, including:
- Roommate Disputes
- Classmate Disputes
- Group Project Disputes
- Student Employee Disputes
- Money Disputes
- Relationship Conflicts
- Student and Faculty/Staff Disputes
- Possibility of Future Conflict or Contact
Benefits of Alternative Conflict Resolution
- Voluntary, no participation will be forced
- Confidential (see below)
- Involved individuals have control over the outcome
- Allows participants to voice their concerns and reduce miscommunication
- Improves confidence and ability to handle future conflict situations
- If the situation is not appropriate for alternative conflict resolution, discipline and other referral options are discussed
Confidentiality
The mediator/facilitator will keep information received during the services confidential to the extent permitted by law and University policy. Examples of occasions where disclosure of information could be required include but are not necessarily limited to:
- A crime under Title IX or the Clery Act is revealed during the mediation
- The mediator or facilitator witnesses a crime
- A participant expresses intent to harm him/herself or another person
- Child abuse or neglect or elder abuse is revealed
Schedule a Meeting
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Conflict Resolution Approaches
Individual Conflict Coaching
A meeting between a student and conflict coach to explore perspectives surrounding the conflict, understand conflict styles, and develop methods for the student to approach conflict; this can be done with only one student participating.
Facilitated Dialogue
A process where a neutral party facilitates a productive conversation between a group of two or more people to discuss issues of concern.
Mediation
A process for two or more parties to air their viewpoints and come to a mutually beneficial solution by having a neutral party act as a discussion facilitator.
Shuttle Diplomacy
A process where the neutral facilitator assists parties who do not wish to interact with one another in resolving a narrow set of issues by shuttling between parties.
Restorative Justice
A facilitated process that brings together individuals who were impacted or affected by a harmful action with those who are responsible for the action, in order to allow the responsible party to accept and acknowledge their responsibility, and to allow all parties to listen to each other and work to develop an outcome to repair the harm and restore relationships, if appropriate.
Panhellenic Mediation
The Office for Student Conflict Resolution works with the Illinois Panhellenic Council to facilitate mediations resulting from judicial proceedings involving member organizations.
Formal Resolution through Student Discipline
In addition to alternative forms of conflict resolution, which are not a part of a student’s disciplinary record, there is a formal resolution process available as well. If you would like to report a violation of a section of the Student Code, you can contact the Office for Student Conflict Resolution and have the issue investigated under the Student Disciplinary Procedures.