College Edition: College Campuses Deal Differently With Conflict

By Toby A Ten Eyck

 

EAST LANSING, MI — Social scientists have long understood that taking responsibility for one’s role in a disagreement goes a long way in reducing the likelihood the conflict will escalate.  This is an idea that is now being used in Michigan State University’s (MSU) Restorative Justice Program.

 

The typical judicial process at MSU tends to place responsibility for corrective actions onto administrators, says Rick Shafer, Associate Director of Student Life — Judicial Affairs.  “This program places responsibility back onto the student.”

 

By placing responsibility on those within the conflict, restorative justice has been found to be beneficial to students of all ages and walks of life.  Nancy Schertzing, Graduate Assistant for Restorative Justice at Michigan State University, has seen it work in a number of different schools.  “I have seen restorative justice work with junior high kids and college graduate students.  It’s great to see people realize they have the ability to work through issues with very little help from outside sources.”

 

For Kelly High McCord, Assistant Director of Residence Life, restorative justice is about teaching students to understand connections. “In a conflict context, it teaches us that we have an obligation to work through the situation together. It helps build empathy and new perspectives, both of which are important in other areas of our lives.”

 

Michigan State University is not the only educational institution implementing restorative justice.  According to Restorative Justice Online (http://www.restorativejustice.org), schools have become one of the main entry points into the juvenile justice system, as typical disciplinary actions such as suspensions are not only ineffective but often lead to more delinquent behavior.  Studies from schools in the United States, Canada, and England have shown that restorative justice leads to fewer behavioral problems, which in turn leads to classroom environments where more learning can take place. 

 

While restorative justice may not solve  all disagreements, it rests on sound and ancient principles – that taking responsibility and talking through differences of opinion can go a long way in developing better understanding between individuals and groups.  One can only hope that Michigan State University students who learn from this program will spread the word to others.