Resolving Conflict

Academic challenges and administrative responsibilities increase during this time of year. This increase in challenges may result in an increase in conflicts with professors and staff personnel. Learning how to handle conflicts is a skill that will help your student make the transition into the professional world.

Resolving conflicts properly is a social skill that will take your student far. Now is the time to educate your student about proper procedure and decorum when resolving conflicts. Conflicts may include not receiving a desired response from someone in an administrative office such as the Bursar, being denied access or service because of a technicality that may seem minor, or feeling like a professor evaluates assignments based on personal agendas. Regardless of the conflict, your student must learn how to handle it like a mature adult. This means that screaming, threatening, or calling someone who is not associated with the issue is inappropriate.

If your student calls you with concerns, begin by telling him/her that conflict will occur for the rest of his/her life whether it is with a spouse or a co-worker. Remind your student that the first step to resolving conflict is to understand the proper procedure. Choosing to resolve it in any other way will escalate the situation and may prolong the resolution.

To reduce conflict, SIUE is dedicated to providing a diverse and unbiased atmosphere for your student. SIUE provides faculty and staff with handbooks that explain the proper way to relate to students. For example, the SIUE Faculty Handbook states that faculty members must provide students, at their request, with appropriate and helpful written and or oral explanations for assigned grades and other evaluated work. Faculty members also must evaluate students and award credit based on academic performance and not on irrelavent matters including personality, race, religion, degree of political activism, or personal beliefs. If a faculty member violates these rules, or if your student has concerns that are not in the SIUE Faculty Handbook, the proper informal steps to take are to:

  • meet with the professor. Students must make an earnest attempt to resolve the conflict with the professor.
  • meet with department chair. Students should make an appointment with the department chair. The department chair can act as a mediator between the professor and the student. Conflicts are usually resolved at this level.
  • meet with the dean of the college. This is a last resort. If the student feels like the issue is very serious, the student may consider the formal grievance process. For more information, please log onto: www.siue.edu/POLICIES/3c3.html


If someone in an administrative office violates your student’s rights, the proper steps to take are:

  • Speak with the immediate supervisor of the department.
     
  • Speak with the director of the department.
     
  • Speak with the vice chancellor of the department.

Begin to speak with your student about resolving a conflict before it occurs. Explain to your student that knowing how to resolve conflicts improves team-building skills and is a necessary skill in the professional world. Below are some suggestions on what you can do to assist your student as they learn another valuable life lesson that will transition them into adulthood.

  1. Review the class syllabus. Encourage your student to review the class syllabus frequently, and use it a as a reference point to discuss the class/assignment with the professor. For example, “The class is about this subject, I feel like my paper reflects this, so why did I receive a bad grade?” This shows that your student is earnestly trying to participate in the course and is not just trying to get a better grade. The syllabus also outlines the professor’s expectations. This will help your student to understand what is required of him or her.
     
  2. Approach the professor. Encourage your student to build a relationship with the professor before a conflict arises. This can reduce intimidation and unwarranted accusations. Know the professor’s office hours and locations.
     
  3. Do not blame the professor. If your student shares concerns, ask who, what, and why questions to see the big picture.
     
  4. Review the conduct codes. Encourage your student to read the student and faculty conduct codes. Both are located on the SIUE Web site.
     
  5. Review FERPA Laws. Sometimes it is tempting to call the University on behalf of your student, but the FERPA laws clearly state that the University cannot discuss information about your student with anyone. In addition, calling the University places the responsibility on you and not on your student.
     
  6. Place the responsibility on your student. College is a vital time for your student to learn professional and adult life skills. Regardless of how distraught your student may become, continue to put the responsibility into his/her hands. Your student may have to research policies and search to find the proper authorities, but the time spent will be well worth it in the end.

 

  

 

 

   

To view back issues of the Parent Connection newsletter, go to: www.siue.edu/prospectivestudents/parents_newsletter_index.shtml

Published by:
SIUE Office of Student Affairs
2306 Rendleman Hall
SIUE
Edwardsville, IL 62026