Conflict Coaching

The Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution supports students in assuming self and social responsibility in times of conflict. Conflict is an inevitable aspect of college life and coaching may help students handle their interpersonal conflicts more effectively and independently.

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How can coaching help?

Conflict coaching is an option for situations that may not necessitate a facilitated dialogue or mediation, or when another party is not interested or able to participate. Trained facilitators will work one-on-one with a student to discuss the conflict and provide tips for addressing it on their own. Some situations that can be addressed through conflict coaching may be:

  • Roommates/Housemates (Off Campus*)
  • Student Groups/Teams
  • Group Projects
  • Friends
  • Coworkers

*Roommates living on campus should instead work with staff from Housing & Residence Life for assistance

What does coaching look like?

  • Coaching is a confidential and voluntary process available to UMD students. 
  • A facilitator meets individually with the student requesting coaching to discuss the conflict and will provide neutral observations to help process the situation.
  • The facilitator will provide tips and help the student create a plan to address the conflict on their own.
  • If desired, the students in conflict may request further Conflict Mediation

What should I expect from the facilitator?

Facilitators are UMD Student Life staff. They have received necessary training and meet the requirements for a Qualified Neutral under Minnesota Supreme Court Rule 114 and take continuing education each year to remain active as a mediator with UMD.

The facilitator will not side with a person, an issue, a proposed solution or declare an outcome as right or wrong, better or worse. Instead, the facilitator will ask questions, provide tips, and assist the student in creating a strategy so that they can address the conflict on their own.

How is coaching different from mediation?

Conflict coaching is an individual approach, where the student meets one-on-one with the facilitator to discuss the conflict, get tips, and decide how they will approach it on their own. Alternatively, mediation is a process where mediators facilitate dialogue between the parties with the goal of resolving the conflict and arriving at a mutually agreeable solution. 

Learn more about Conflict Mediation.

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