Conflict Resolution

Contact us:

303-492-5550
conflictresolution@colorado.edu

What is conflict?

On a campus with more than 30,000 people, we encounter different perspectives, behaviors and beliefs with everyone we meet. Sometimes disagreements can happen as we get to know others—it might be with a roommate, friend, classmates or even a professor.

Most people think conflict is a negative thing, but healthy conflict can result in growth, learning and understanding. It all depends on how you approach it.

Conflict is normal, natural and critical to the development of a community. While conflict can be challenging and uncomfortable, there are ways to have difficult conversations and develop skills to serve you at CU Boulder and beyond.

Here are some things you can do that lead to a healthy, positive experience when encountering conflict:

In a conversation, allow the other person to share their point of view without interrupting.
Listen as the other person shares their point of view, instead of forming your response to what they are saying in your head.
What you mean to say is not always what the other person hears—think about the intent and impact of your message.
When sharing your point of view, speak from your perspective. Try to see things from the other side rather than make assumptions.
When agreement is not possible, allow for multiple truths.

Resources and Services

Conflict Resolution Services offers the following options to help students manage and resolve conflicts. To request more information, please contact ConflictResolution@Colorado.edu or call Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 303-492-5550.

Circle Dialogue

A facilitated dialogue allows participants to share their thoughts in a non-judgmental space and does not seek specific resolution. Facilitated dialogues allow ideas and opinions to be shared from multiple perspectives, which elevate the conversation around a topic. A facilitated dialogue can be hosted for groups of any size to promote an exploration of conflict based on respect and mutual understanding.

Conflict Coaching

Individuals can schedule a one on one meeting to develop their personal conflict style or talk about current and on-going conflicts. These meetings enable individuals to thoughtfully consider their approach to conflict resolution and generate solutions to existing conflict they may be experiencing.

Mediation Services

Small and large groups in conflict can access mediation services with a neutral third party invested in discussing conflict and collaborating to find solutions.

Roommate Relationships

Sharing a space can often lead to conflict and it can be helpful to establish shared guidelines and norms for living together early on to prevent these conflicts. Students living in the residence halls should reach out to their Resident Advisor for a roommate contract specific to living in the residence halls. Students living off campus can utilize the sample contract below to help start conversations with their roommate(s) about living together. A sample roommate contract can be downloaded here.

Circle Processes are designed for participants to learn through dialogue with each other by sharing personal stories and perspectives. In this way, the knowledge is owned by the participants rather than the facilitator as they explore themes that include building community, discussing conflicts, and sharing ideas. Circles invite every participant to share uninterrupted while the group listens deeply, which disrupts the typical way of communicating to allow an opportunity for understanding and connection.

Circles are personalized to the needs of the group and can be applied in many settings, including:

Organizational retreats
Leadership teambuilding
Exploring peer conflicts
Providing support
Learning more about an issue or topic
Grief or healing

Feedback from Circle Participants:

“…People didn’t hold anything back. It was healthy, intense and accepting all at once.”
“Felt far more organic than I was expecting. It was a pleasant surprise to have so much self-reflection”
“I most liked how laid back the circle was. I felt like I could share without judgement, and it was really cool to hear all of the different stories!”
“I most liked how safe it felt to share anything that was on my mind, it was a really good environment”

To request more information, please contact ConflictResolution@colorado.edu or call the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 303-492-5550.

Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution is able to collaborate with your office, student group, or community organization to expand your knowledge of our department and develop skills. Topics can include

Conflict Styles
- Everyone has their own way of managing conflict - what's your style? Find out in this interactive session and discuss strategies for engaging in conflict as a Buff and beyond!
Conflict Coaching and Helping Skills
- In many cases, students have little formal experience with conflict prior to attending college. This presentation offers practical guidance for participating in conflict in a more constructive way, including learning Active Listening techniques and case study practice.
Mediation Skills
- Leaders on campus are often called to mediate conflicts in their organizations. This session will encourage a dialogue to discuss the benefits of mediation and the opportunity to learn foundational skills for effective mediation.
De-escalation Techniques
- In this workshop, participants will learn strategies for de-escalating a high intensity conflict, as well as learn more about University policies related to disruptive behavior and resources available within Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
Circle Process Facilitation
- In this workshop participants will learn the fundamental skills and theory required to facilitate Circle Processes. This session will prepare participants to facilitate Circles that focus on building community, learning new content, navigating transition, healing as a group, and managing conflict.
Restorative Justice
- Learn the guiding values and programs in the CU Restorative Justice program and ways for the CU Boulder community to get involved in the RJ process.

To request a presentation or workshop, please contact ConflictResolution@Colorado.edu.

Conflict Resolution Offerings

Managing Conflict in Close Quarters

Living with others can be both a source of support and a source of stress. When times are challenging, it can be helpful to have a ‘toolkit’ of techniques on hand for managing conflict. As more and more of us are asked to stay indoors, it is only natural that conflicts with those closest to us will emerge. To learn the skills and strategies to make your time indoors a little less stressful and a little more enjoyable email c onflictresolution@colorado.edu.

Introduction to Conflict Coaching

These free and confidential meetings are a great way to boost your conflict resolution capacity, whether you have a specific conflict in mind or not. Participants can strategize about how to have a difficult conversation, learn their conflict style, or practice communication skills to help de-escalate a tense situation. To schedule a meeting, or to learn more, email conflictresolution@colorado.edu.

Conflict Resolution

What is conflict?

Resources and Services

Conflict Resolution Offerings

Managing Conflict in Close Quarters

Introduction to Conflict Coaching

Different Conflict Styles

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Conflict Resolution

What is conflict?

Resources and Services

Conflict Resolution Offerings

Managing Conflict in Close Quarters

Introduction to Conflict Coaching

Different Conflict Styles

Bees

Lions

Turtles

Mice

Owls