Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct

When students act inconsistently with values identified in the University Creed reflected in University policy, they have an obligation to repair harm caused to the community and its members. The Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct uses restorative justice tailored specifically to meet the needs of the University of Mississippi Community. Centered around values identified in the University Creed and in our Community, our resolution philosophy consists of a collaborative decision-making process that includes victims (complainants/impacted parties), offenders (respondents), and members of the community (affected parties) working together to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Through our philosophy, responsible people learn to do the following:

• accept and acknowledge responsibility for their offenses;
• to the best of their ability, repair the harm they caused to victims and the community; and
• work to reduce the risk of re-offense through reintegrating the offender back into the University community by (re)building positive social ties to the community.

Restorative Justice is used during every student conduct meeting through reflective questioning and sanctioning that focus on reparations to impacted parties (restitution, recommended apologies, etc.), the community (community service, relocation, separations for serious offenses, etc.), and to the offender (substance abuse education, anger management, decision making seminars, etc.). For behavior that has had an impact on multiple community members, such as residence halls buildings or floors, if appropriate, a Restorative Circle (similar to a mediation) may be used to repair harm and reintegrate members back into the community.

The University of Mississippi’s formal conduct process is developed to educate our community on how to be responsible citizens. We care about you and want you to overcome mistakes while fostering a safe and welcoming community for you and those around you. Our process is equitable, multi-partial, and invites you to be an active participant in the decision making process.

Review the video below for the process:

There will always be hot political or moral topics that will energize campus controversy.  There are also ongoing disputes that arise out of the daily interactions between members of any campus community.  These conflicts are based on some combination of lack of experience (by newcomers or people changing roles), stress or boredom (or both), miscommunication, destructive patters of interaction, and differing needs and interests of community members.  Regardless of the initial source of the dispute, however, the outcomes of conflict (either positive or negative) often hinge on the way the dispute is handled.

When areas of conflict arise between members of our community that do not rise to the level of a possible violation of University policy, our office can provide conflict resolution services in order to reach a mutually agreed upon outcome through mediation.

• Agree to talk in person.  Texts, notes, and social media are not effective ways to deal with conflict. Talk to the person with whom you have a conflict and try not to influence mutual friends to take sides.
• Identify an appropriate space to talk.  A private, neutral location is always best.
• Come to the table with the spirit of compromise not competition.
• Agree to the ground rules.
• Be empathetic.
• Take responsibility for your role.
• Be clear in your needs.
• Be flexible in ways to handle the problem.
• Work towards a solution that is agreeable to both parties.
• If you cannot work it out; seek the help of a qualified neutral party.  There are many offices on campus that can offer you help in reaching a solution and mediating a conflict.  You can seek help from your Community Coordinator, Graduate Community Director, or other member of the Housing staff, The Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct or the University Counseling Center.

The University of Mississippi Judicial Council is advised by the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct and chaired by an elected member of the student body. The University Judicial Council decides outcomes for cases involving alleged individual or organizational violations of University policy and any other case assigned to it by the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct.

Contact the UJC Chair Here

Student Membership

Each spring the Associated Student Body conducts a selection process for student membership in the University Judicial Council.  Watch for advertisements in UM Today for timelines for member selection.  You will be required to fill out an application and complete an interview process.  For more information, contact the University Judicial Council Chair.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the University Judicial Council contact the Chair.