Informal conflict resolution services (Student Ombuds)
The Office of the Student Ombuds offers a variety of services to students around mediating conflicts and remediating harms in sensitive situations. Upon request, the Ombuds will explain its suitability for the situation.
Service Offerings
- 1-on-1 conflict management coaching (examine issues holistically and develop communication skills)
- Peacekeeping circles (facilitating private conversations with groups to rebuild trust in the relationship before discussing the difficult issue(s))
- Restorative conferences (structured meetings to help a party recognize consequences of harm caused and how to repair that harm)
- Shuttle diplomacy (Ombuds acting as a non-biased intermediary between parties in discord, to reach a mutual agreement without direct contact)
- Mediation (informal conflict resolution process, facilitated by the Ombuds as a neutral mediator to reach a mutual non-binding agreement)
- Appreciative inquiry (when a party believes a procedural error was made in a university administration process for which appeals have been exhausted or none exist)
Location
Hours of Operation
September - April: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
May - August: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (no in-person services)
May - August: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (no in-person services)
Cost
No charge for serviceSpecial Conditions
Available to all students, including undergraduates, graduates, students on placements or practicums, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows etc.Audience: Undergraduate students, Graduate students
Home Campus: All
Delivery format: In-Person: North Campus, Virtual/Phone Meeting
Access: By Appointment
Service Provider: Office of the Student Ombuds
Language: English