NCHERM Conflict Resolution
NCHERM-CR is an autonomous practice group with NCHERM that is committed to the development, implementation and support of a broad range of conflict resolution systems on college and university campuses. The work of NCHERM-CR includes adapting current campus conduct systems to include restorative practices, as well as to supplement campus conduct systems with other appropriate means of dispute resolution, such as mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation, and other methods.
NCHERM-CR is committed to the development, implementation and support of a broad range of conflict resolution systems on college and university campuses. The work of NCHERM-CR includes adapting current campus conduct systems to include restorative practices, as well as to supplement campus conduct systems with other appropriate means of dispute resolution, such as mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation, and other methods.
As a consulting service, NCHERM-CR offers guidance and support in:
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conducting campus dialogues around conflict resolution,
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conducting needs assessments,
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providing training,
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developing resources,
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offering ongoing support for those resolving conflict,
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and offering program assessment reviews.
The staff of NCHERM-CR includes talented practitioners, theorists and researchers in restorative justice and conflict resolution systems, including Matt Gregory, Ph.D. of Louisiana State University, David Karp, Ph.D. of Skidmore College (NY), Chris Loschiavo, J.D. of the University of Florida, and Rick Olshak, M.S. of Illinois State University. Additional consultants are available for training programs, large-scale projects, and assessment services as needed.
Although the NCHERM-CR website includes many more programs and services, our most commonly requested programs and services include:
Training and Development
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is an inevitable part of our lives and exists in every relationship of value. How we manage conflict impacts the quality of our lives. As professionals, how we assist others in managing conflicts helps to define our campus culture and climate. Our presenters offer a variety of conflict resolution programs ranging from two hour introductions to full day immersion experiences. These training programs are highly interactive and have been used successfully with people of many different backgrounds, from middle school ages and up. Topic areas include defining conflict, conflict resolution styles and methods, exploring and understanding personal conflict preferences, and strategies for managing conflict.
Mediation
Mediation is a formal process in which a multi-partial third party facilitator seeks to assist disputants to identify the issues in dispute and to develop creative solutions that address the needs of both/all disputants. Mediated agreements have been demonstrated to be more satisfying and longer-lasting than agreements reached in other forums. While many people consider themselves “mediators,” the formal process requires training, skill and a commitment to following a formalized process. NCHERM-CR offers both basic and advanced mediation training programs that teach the formal mediation process and all related skills and topical areas, with programs ranging from 20 to 40 hours in length and includes classroom instruction, small and large group skill activities, and numerous role play opportunities.
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice (RJ) is gaining popularity on college campuses as a philosophical and practical response to student misconduct. RJ is a collaborative decision-making process that includes victims, offenders, and others seeking to hold offenders accountable by having them (a) accept and acknowledge responsibility for their offenses, (b) to the best of their ability repair the harm they have caused to victims and communities, and (c) work to reduce the risk of re-offense by building positive social ties to the community. NCHERM-CR offers consultation and training in RJ facilitation and program implementation, and is actively engaged in piloting novel and innovative applications of this exciting body of knowledge.
Conflict Coaching
Campus administrators often find themselves in the position of being able to work with only one of the parties to a conflict. In these instances, Conflict Coaching provides us with a means for assisting a single individual with conflict occurring in her/his life, as well as the opportunity to work closely with an individual to identify tendencies in conflict resolution, to promote self-awareness, and to assist disputants in developing better conflict resolution skills for future conflicts. This program immerses the participants in the conflict coaching process by providing classroom instruction, small and large group skill activities, and numerous role-play opportunities. The program can range from 20 to 30 training hours.
Consultation and Assessment
Conflict Systems Program Consultation
NCHERM-CR consultants are available to consult with campuses via campus visits, video calls and telephone meetings to address situations specific to campus programs. This service can range from situational problem-solving to policy/procedure development, to the facilitation and/or mediation of campus dialogues.
Conflict Systems Needs Assessment
Many campus conflict resolution programs have been short-lived because the programs were put into place without a thorough campus-wide conversation, and little understanding of what the program was designed to accomplish. Needs assessment seeks to engage campuses in a broad and inclusive conversation designed to serve as a springboard for meaningful and sustainable program development. This service includes a campus visit offering interviews involving key campus stakeholders, as well as facilitation of both small and large group discussions designed to assess campus readiness for various programs and services. A final report offers an overview of the assessment process and offers programmatic recommendations.
Conflict Systems Implementation
For many student affairs professionals, the question of how to incorporate conflict resolution systems on a campus with a traditional student conduct program is a critical one. Designed to extend from the conflict systems needs assessment or to be used independently, NCHERM-CR consultants can assist campuses with both formal and informal infusion of conflict resolution practices as supplements, diversions, or alternatives to the adjudication model.
Conflict Systems Program Assessment
The only way that we can know whether or not we are meeting intended outcomes for our programs and services is by engaging in assessment. External assessment can be a valuable tool in understanding the successes and gaps in achieving stated outcomes and objectives. This service can include documentation reviews, site visits, and full external review of an existing program or service. A final report offers an overview of the assessment process and offers programmatic recommendations.
If you wish to learn more about any of these programs or services, please contact Rick Olshak, NCHERM-CR Practice Group Chair, at rick@ncherm.org.
Rick Olshak, M.S. — Chair, ncherm-cr
Rick Olshak is an Associate Dean of Students at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. He has worked in student conduct and conflict resolution programs for over twenty-one years and is a Past President of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). Rick is the author of Mastering Mediation: Training Mediators in a College and University Setting, and he has provided professional consulting services on program assessment, needs assessment, conduct board training, conflict resolution and mediation training to colleges and universities across the nation, as well as to community organizations and professional associations. Rick holds a bachelor's degree in public communication from The College of Saint Rose (NY) and a master's degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University. He is currently completing his doctoral degree in educational administration and foundations at Illinois State University, with his dissertation focusing on campus conflict resolution.
TRAINING TOPICS:
- Conflict and Conflict Resolution
- Basic Mediation Program
- Advanced Mediation Program
- Conflict Coaching Program
- Facilitation and Analysis: Conflict Systems Needs Assessment
- Facilitation and Analysis: Conflict Systems Program Evaluation
Email rick@ncherm.org
D. Matthew Gregory, Ph.D.
Matt brings a diverse blend of experiences that makes him an intriguing person to conduct presentations and trainings. Matt’s presentations incorporate a healthy sense of humor and include real-life examples to illustrate the complexity surrounding topics like conflict resolution and risk reduction.
Matt has presented to numerous groups, has presented at several national conferences, and is able to reach multiple audiences in a unique and engaging way. He has been working in higher education for over 15 years and currently serves as the Associate Dean of Students/Director of the Student Advocacy and Accountability office at Louisiana State University. Matt is a former law enforcement professional with experience at both the state and federal levels. His experience in law enforcement lends a unique perspective to his presentations. Additionally, he served as an adjunct faculty member teaching law in higher education in the Counseling and Student Affairs graduate program at Western Kentucky University.
Matt has a Doctorate in Education Administration from Southern Illinois University, a Master's in Counseling and Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University. Matt has worked professionally at several different institutions to include Southern Illinois University, Western Kentucky University, The College of William & Mary, University of Southern Indiana, and Louisiana State University.
Matt’s research interest focuses on issues surrounding conflict resolution and sexual violence to include male advocacy against sexual violence. Another interest of Matt’s is building and maintaining productive relationships with campus law enforcement agencies. Matt is knowledgeable and passionate about student conduct administration, behavior intervention practices, risk reduction, and conflict resolution strategies.
Matt is a trained mediator and an instructor of the Rape Aggression Defense basic program (RAD). He has served as a district governor for his national fraternity and has served as a chapter advisor for two national fraternities. Matt has worked with numerous Greek organizations to address both individual and group behavior concerns and to reduce organizational risk.
Matt is an active member and current board member for the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).
TRAINING TOPICS:
- Narrative Mediation
- Campus Mediation
- Restorative Justice
- Conflict Resolution Program Implementation
- Student Conduct Training
- Relationships with Campus Police
- Risk Reduction
- Sexual Violence
- Campus Ecology
- Student Development Theory
- Classroom Management
Email matt@ncherm.org
David R. Karp, Ph.D.
David R. Karp is Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Campus Life at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is also Professor of Sociology and previously Chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work and Director of the Program in Law and Society.
His scholarship focuses on restorative justice in community and campus settings and on prison programs preparing inmates for return to the community. David has published more than 100 academic papers and five books, including Restorative Justice on the College Campus and Wounds That Do Not Bind: Victim-Based Perspectives on the Death Penalty. David is currently the Principal Investigator of a multi-campus research project on student conduct practices called the STARR Project (Student Accountability and Restorative Research Project). He is also a volunteer mediator and a restorative justice facilitator and trainer. David received a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Washington.
SYMPOSIUM:
In his symposia, David introduces his audience to restorative justice as a worldwide social movement and how it has been implemented on college campuses across the country. In this half-day exploration, participants will discuss restorative justice principles, various campus restorative practices, and how to build a campus program.
TRAINING:
David has designed an intensive two-day training in which participants will gain a thorough understanding of restorative justice principles and practices, strong facilitation skills, practical information about program implementation, and the satisfaction of having participated in a powerful intellectual, emotional, and spiritual training experience.
Here are the specific learning goals for this training:
- Develop an understanding of the philosophy and principles of restorative justice
- Gain familiarity with restorative practices and models and discover how they are applied in a campus conduct setting
- Acquire strong restorative justice process facilitation skills
- Learn about the effectiveness of restorative justice practices based on current research
- Understand the relationship between restorative justice and “model” student conduct code and board process
- Explore practical “next steps” in implementing restorative justice in a campus community
Email david@ncherm.org
Chris Loschiavo, J.D.
Chris Loschiavo has served as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at the University of Florida since May 2007. Prior to this, he was Director of Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Oregon from 1999 – 2007. Chris has been a member of ASCA since 1997. During his time as a conduct professional, Chris co-created one of the first five restorative justice programs on a college campus while at the University of Oregon. This program began in 2001.
While at the University of Florida, Chris has been working to create a comprehensive conflict resolution program to go along with a revision of the conduct process. This program includes offering a spectrum of conflict resolution options where appropriate, ranging from conflict coaching to facilitated dialogues, mediation, restorative justice and shuttle diplomacy. This program has been created without any additional staff or resources and uses campus partners and volunteers, including law students at the UF Levin College of Law. Chris has helped infuse conflict resolution principles throughout the conduct process at the University of Florida.
Chris holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Florida as well as a law degree from the University of Florida. Chris was trained as a mediator through the state of Florida’s mediation certification program and has mediated cases in small claims court in Florida.
View Chris Loschiavo's CV 
TRAINING TOPICS:
- Infusing conflict resolution into your conduct process
- Restorative Justice Principles
- Restorative Practices
- Facilitated Dialogues
- Conflict resolution program development and implementation
Email chris@ncherm.org