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Resolution Support Service
Student Conflict Support
Navigating conflict with a roommate, varsity teammate, or peers in a class project can be challenging. Approaching conflict skillfully can have a meaningful impact on your well-being and the well-being of those around you. This service is designed to support students experiencing interpersonal conflict with peers by providing three pathways that promote communication, understanding, and resolution.
Conflict Skills Coaching
Intended for students who want to navigate conflict more effectively, particularly when the other person is unwilling or unable to participate in a facilitated conversation or mediation.
Through one-on-one or small-group sessions, an impartial mediator helps students build conflict management skills tailored to their circumstances and goals. Rather than providing advice, the mediator supports students in developing strategies, increasing confidence, and responding to conflict in a way that aligns with their needs and values.
Facilitated Conversations
A space for two or more students to meet with an impartial mediator and engage in a constructive conversation aimed at building mutual understanding and addressing a challenging situation.
The process is voluntary, confidential (with safety-related exceptions), and restorative in nature. It focuses on improving communication, strengthening understanding, and identifying ways to move forward. Depending on the needs of the participants, the process may or may not result in a non-binding written plan or agreement.
Student Mediation
This service is best suited for students who would benefit from a clear plan or agreement to help address an ongoing conflict. Common situations may include shared living arrangements, group projects, or other situations where participants will continue to interact moving forward.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process (with safety-related exceptions explained at the outset). With the support of an impartial mediator, participants work toward mutually acceptable solutions. Any agreements reached are documented in a non-binding mediation agreement, which may be reviewed or revised in the future if all participants agree.
Confidential Initial Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions
The process begins with confidential individual intake meetings. If everyone agrees to move forward, participants meet together in a structured and supportive environment.
The facilitator helps guide a respectful conversation focused on listening, understanding different perspectives, and exploring ways to move forward.
The process typically includes:
- Confidential individual intake meetings with each participant to understand their perspectives, concerns, and goals.
- An assessment by the mediator to determine whether mediation is appropriate and whether all parties wish to proceed.
- A joint mediation session where participants discuss the issues and work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
- If an agreement is reached, the mediator will document it and provide a copy to all participants.
Any agreement reached is voluntary and can be revisited or adjusted if circumstances change.
No. Participation is voluntary, and any outcome or agreement must be mutually agreed upon by all participants.
If an agreement is not reached, you may still find the process helpful in increasing understanding, improving communication, or clarifying next steps.
No. Mediation is a restorative and voluntary process designed to help people address concerns and move forward constructively.
Participants may develop agreements about topics such as communication, shared expectations, living arrangements, group work, or other ways to reduce future conflict and strengthen relationships.
Yes. Mediation is separate from formal University processes, such as the Code of Student Conduct.
Participating in mediation does not prevent you from pursuing another process. However, the mediator will need to know if another process is underway, as mediation may need to be paused until that process is completed. The mediator will then determine whether it is appropriate to continue.