Resolutions
The resolution part of the process only applies to students, either as individuals or as part of a community.
What Does Resolution Mean?
Resolution is a three part process with the goal being to not only and immediately focus on the resolution practices, but also account for:
• Acknowledgement of Harm (and History)
• Accountability and steps taken towards change (to the extent possible)
• Healing/Harm Reduction (if desired)
Below are potential resolution practices for students to consider. Other resolutions not listed but can be implemented after talking to an administrator.
Mediated Conversation
“What is this?”: A mediator (professional staff or trained peer) holds a conversation with parties involved to seek a resolution.
When to use this option: Incidents or conflicts when all involved parties feel comfortable communicating with each other directly. This is also a useful space for involved parties to directly share their perspective and concerns directly with the other party. Often, parties will come to an agreed upon resolution.
Expectations: Guided and structured conversation; Support from neutral facilitator; Opportunity to build non-binding resolution or agreement; Direct interactions with other parties.
Shuttle Mediation
“What is this?”: This process differs from a mediation conversation by asking the impacted parties to sit in different rooms. The mediator (professional staff or trained peer) then speaks with each party individually and shuttles information between them in order to seek a resolution.
When to use this option: Incidents or conflicts where all involved parties want to communicate their concerns and develop a resolution for how to move forward but one or more parties is uncomfortable being in the same room with the others.
Expectations: Support from neutral facilitator; Opportunity to build non-binding resolution or agreement; No direct interactions with other parties; Periods of waiting for mediator to return with other party’s response.
Restorative Justice
“What is this?”: A specific methodology of involving all parties in deciding how to ‘right wrongs.’
When to use this option: If students who have experienced harm and are seeking a conversation with the other parties in order to name the harm and find pathways for ‘righting these wrongs’.
Expectations: Opportunities to reflect on the impact of one’s actions; Structured discussion of harm and pathways towards restoration; Ability to bring in additional community support or perspectives; Directly addressing harm and working through discomfort.
Indigenous Circle Practices
“What is this?”: Indigenous Circle practices is a form of community building and dispute resolution that specifically focuses on strengthening and healing relationships. Circles practices can take different forms, such as peace making circles, community building circles, healing/processing circles, talking circles, or conflict resolution circles.
When to use this option: For group conversations where there is a need to better understand the other parties or there is a continuing relationship between parties.
Expectations: Discussion of values; Attempts to gain understanding; Opportunities for all parties to speak; Moments of reflection, silence, and listening.
Counseling
“What is this?”: A clinical, therapeutic setting and experience intended to address harms for individuals and seek pathways to healing.
When to use this option: If you seek individualized pathways/methods of healing within a clinical mental health framework.
Expectations: Opportunities for self-reflection; Consideration of scenarios and perspectives; Discussion of possible tools and methods for caring for one’s own mental health.
Wellness Coaching
What is this?: Meetings with a wellness coach to determine proactive steps about how to solve a problem, discover tools, adjust specific behavior, etc. to inform one’s response to a situation or work to promote well-being.
When to use this option: If you are looking for guidance on how to navigate a type of harmful situation and develop skills to help you do so in a non-clinical setting.
Expectations: Moments of and exercises for self-reflection; Discussion of adjustments to approach, mindset, behavior, etc.; Referral to resources; Determination of tools and frameworks
Confidential Ombudsperson Meeting
What is this?: A confidential meeting with the Ombudsperson (a neutral third-party) to evaluate different options available. There are two ombudspeople, one at the Medical School and one for the rest of Stanford’s campus.
When to use this option: If you are looking for advice related to how to handle a conflict or university policy. A conversation with the Ombudsperson may also be a good fit for those who need advice on a conflict/difficult situation but aren’t comfortable speaking with the responding party yet.
Expectations: Confidentiality; Discussion of concerns; Advice about best next steps or applicable university policies
Outdoor/Nature Based Healing Experience
What is this?: An opportunity for students to engage with the outdoors, such as through a walk, planned trip with the outdoor center, or pre-recorded programming about healing in nature to connect with the outdoors as an aid to healing
When to use this option: If you are looking for healing or time for reflection, this would be a good fit. This may not be the best option if you are hoping to have a conversation with the responding party
Expectations: Opportunities for personal reflection; Engagement with the outdoors
Educational Workshop
What is this?: A learning opportunity, developed by a subject matter expert, for the requesting party/parties to examine and address the ideas, context, dynamics, and other important considerations involved with a particular issue (e.g. microaggressions) or incident
When to use this option: Incidents and moments when a student or a group of students they are involved with want to learn more about a particular topic, way to respond to a scenario, etc.
Expectations: Reflection on practices of self and others; Learning about a particular topic and its significance; Consideration of next steps or application of new learning