1. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Resolving Conflicts in Higher Education Prepared by Bonnie Leonhardt, Ph.D., S.P.H.R. © 2006 by Bonnie Leonhardt.

2. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Resolving conflicts in higher education Multiple stakeholder groups: students, faculty, staff, administration, Deans, chairs, governing Boards, community members. Faculty governance issues Autonomy of disciplines in multiversities Tradition of keeping a harmonious front. Factors contributing to conflict potential:

3. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Conflict management strategies Move from smaller institutions with shared values to multiversities with diverse values created new conflict management strategy: divide and isolate (Veysey, 1965). Conflicts have increased as money to isolate differing views as dried up and as societal conflicts are taken up by academics.

4. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Failures of Divide and Isolate Most academic institutions have formal mechanisms to handle disputes within groups: faculty grievances, student/student disputes, staff grievances. Many institutions are now grappling with conflicts that span traditional boundaries: faculty/staff conflict, town/gown conflict, student/ faculty conflict.

5. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Few organizations have informal mechanisms for conflict resolution As one administrator put it the Board doesnt want to hear about it unless its a grievance. Management at the Dean and chair level is often untrained in resolving disputes with or between subordinates. Costs of conflict are not recognized.Costs of conflict

6. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Results of unrecognized conflicts Conflicts grow until they disrupt the delivery of services, cause absence or turnover, create long-lasting animosity, and even lead to inefficient restructuring (divide and isolate). By the time the conflict is referred to a formal dispute resolution process, much of the cost is already incurred.

7. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com Resolving conflict early pays off Costs of faculty search have increased. Student retention problems are costly. Hostile disputes that erupt into litigation or public discussion are damaging to reputation. Conflict limits collaboration and program integration.

8. Mediation Training Institute International www.mediationworks.com More information Visit the Conflict Management Toolbox for free access to assessment instruments.Conflict Management Toolbox More resources for academics.resources for academics Staff development and other services to institutions of higher education are available from: Dana Mediation Institute, Inc. Mediation Training Institute International dmi@mediationworks.com 888.222.3271