Conflict in the University Setting

   What is your reaction to the word conflict?  Some people feel it is negative, destructive, and unsettling.  Conflict, in their view, is something to avoid or repress.  Perhaps people believe that harmony (versus discord) ought to be the natural state of things in the world. Meanwhile, others appreciate conflict as an expected and productive fact of life.  Experts in the field of conflict studies and conflict resolution point out that conflict should be appreciated, as it is a means toward stimulation of thought and action among citizens.  Conflict, in this view, is necessary and justified.  Many would argue that there have been and certainly still are instances in society when protest and disagreement have lead to a better democratic society.  Some advocate, at least, for a neutral attitude toward conflict.

    Is a university campus a setting likely to experience conflict? You bet!

    University catalogs describe campuses as places where learners pursue a personal path of creativity, inquiry, investigation, and discovery.  In addition, members are expected to work and live together as a team and to integrate and share knowledge and experiences.  Such statements and descriptions could give the impression that conflict isn't an anticipated or worthwhile component in a positive and high-quality education process.  The reality is that conflict is expected and anticipated and it will arise.  Campuses are places where people from diverse disciplines, personal points of view, cultures, ages, and experiences must relate to one another in classrooms, meeting rooms, lounges, residence halls, sports arenas, and outdoor spaces.  Besides the exchange of ideas and opinions that occur in intellectual settings, people on campuses will have disputes over ordinary daily interactions with one another, the interpretation and application of policies and rules, and their competing interests and wants, among other things. 

Supporting Students and Living with Conflict

    With conflict now established as a "given" in campus communities, the need for students and others to develop skills to respond to conflict becomes the next logical focus of attention.  Why?  While conflict can be credited with bringing life and energy to student learning and development in some campus settings, it has the potential to produce harmful psychological and physical effects.  Conflict can result in poor communication, miscommunication, or breakdown in communication.  It can ruin friendships and relationships and divide one group against another.  Conflict can fuel feelings of distrust, fear, and injustice within a community.  Most certainly, conflict has the potential to become disruptive and violent.  For these reasons, it is necessary to provide assistance when students need help resolving conflict. 

Responses to Conflict

    Various avenues to address conflict are available to people--negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation are common ones.   Clearly, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to conflict, and there are distinct differences between these forms of resolution regarding their cost, degree of formality, and the roles and responsibilities assumed or relinquished by the individuals involved.  For many people and in many circumstances of conflict, an informal approach in which the parties involved work together to resolve the issue is preferred over costly, time-consuming, and adversarial approaches.  Beyond academic courses to teach the principles of intercultural competence, social justice, and diversity, many campuses also support various forms of assistance to students such as counseling, the services of other professional staff, and the service of an ombudsperson.   It is important for students and others in the university community to be aware of resources available to them and to reach out to these resources in a time of need.  Please use the list of resources below to become familiar with services available at Ball State.

Resources on Our Campus

Counseling Center, LU 325, 285-1736

Housing and Residence Life, see individual residence hall staff listings in the Ball State University directory

Interdisciplinary Minor in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, see the Ball State University Undergraduate Catalog

Ombudsperson, AD 238

Reference List and Recommended Reading

Nader, L. (2001, July 13). Harmony coerced is freedom denied. The Chronicle of Higher Education, B13.

Schellenberg, J.A. (1996). Conflict resolution: theory, research, and practice. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

Warters, W.C. (2000).  Mediation in the campus community: designing and managing effective programs. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.