Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Respectful. Private. Reflective.

Conflict Mediation Support

Sometimes, students request assistance to have a mediation and facilitate a dialogue. Students can choose from several ways to resolve conflicts. Administrative directives may appear to be an easier way to resolve a conflict, but a dialogue or mediation is the best way to listen to someone else’s perspective and move towards mutual understanding, respect, and resolution.

Facilitated Dialogues or Mediation
Mediation is a process where a trained individual (participants may choose from a trained peer leader or staff member) facilitates a conversation with all parties, usually around a conflict or dispute. This typically includes a preliminary, ground rule setting meeting with individuals, and then one or more joint meetings. The facilitator ensures that everyone has an opportunity to speak, share their perspective, demonstrate understanding of other’s perspective, and commit to a resolution or conclusion.

Counseling Referral
Sometimes, a student needs to fully explore their own feelings around a conflict and how that conflict has impacted their life prior to agreeing to a mediation or resolution. A joint approach with the Counseling Center, a student may discuss an issue in an informal way with a member of the Campus Life staff member (however, please note the issue is not confidential, does not maintain privilege, and that Campus Life staff members are responsible employees) and then be referred to a counseling center psychologist or counselor to discuss, confidentially, how they feel about the situation and how they might move forward with a resolution. If a release of information is signed, the counselor, student, and Campus Life professional can work towards creating an opportunity to dialogue about the conflict and deciding a plan that best meets the needs of all involved.

Peer Coaching Training
As part of Peer Empowerment, students can learn how to facilitate cognitive processing and reframing in peers, develop their conflict mediation and communication skills, and have the opportunity facilitate dialogues across campus. Staff and faculty are welcome to participate in coaching training.

For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 315-781-3900 or contact Joshua Bishop, director of community values and conflict resolution at bishop@hws.edu.

Conduct Reports
Any member of the Colleges’ community may file a report regarding an alleged violation of the Community Standards, although it is highly encouraged that individuals contact Campus Safety to file reports so that they may begin investigations promptly. Reports that are directly filed are reviewed by the Director of Community Values and Conflict Resolution. As reports are reviewed, it is determined whether a violation may have occurred. If so, the incident is reviewed by a member of the Colleges’ community (also known as a hearing officer) and the students involved are invited to a hearing to discuss their involvement. For more information about the hearing process, please review the Community Standards.