ODEI Restorative Justice Team

The University of Michigan (U-M) has been facilitating restorative practices (also known as restorative justice) in response to campus conflict and conduct for a dozen years. The 2009 publication Reframing Campus Conflict: Student Conduct Practice Through a Social Justice Lens was edited and written by U-M administrators and other national experts to highlight the successful practice and implementation of providing a spectrum of conflict resolution options to campus communities (and in particular U-M), including the theory and practice of restorative justice.

The Chronicle of Higher Education featured U-M’s work in the October 2016 article, How One University Went All-In on Restorative Justice, which suggested that “Michigan’s approach could become a model for other institutions.”

Restorative Justice is both a philosophy as well as a practice. Restorative Practices is an umbrella term often used to describe a broader set of tools and practices that employ the philosophy of restorative justice. The U-M Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) employs the philosophy of restorative justice practices into all of its work, even the most formal processes and proceedings. U-M OSCR will share some of what they’ve learned in adopting and implementing restorative practices at a state university.

The Restorative Justice Training will take place over the course of two days. On the first day, U-M OSCR will give an overview of the philosophy of restorative justice, and introduce a spectrum of restorative practices. An overview of the various ways restorative practices can be implemented on a college campus will be shared, as there is wide utility and application of techniques. Restorative practices can be used to address campus conflict and conduct issues including bias incidents, alcohol and drug incidents, and even campus sexual misconduct; it can also be used to build strong communities and teams for example within housing and residential education, athletics, academic cohorts and units, and other university departments. U-M staff have found restorative circles to be incredibly valuable, even just among staff as a tool to build connection and resilience. All participants in the training will get the opportunity to experience a restorative justice circle.

After experiencing a restorative justice circle, U-M OSCR will get into the “nuts and bolts” of facilitation and implementation of both restorative justice conferences as well as circles, the two main practices of restorative justice on college campuses. The second day of training will really hone in on the necessary facilitation skills and practices to effectively implement restorative justice processes. This day will allow time and space for participants to practice tools and techniques used in facilitating restorative practices. There will also be time to explore the “what” and the “how” of implementing restorative practices in campus-specific ways. The training will provide an introduction to restorative practices and key tips and tools for facilitating restorative practices on campus.

Full-time or part-time benefited or non-benefited UW employees who at minimum anticipated that they could commit to being an active restorative justice facilitator were asked to up hold the following commitment.

• Participate in two full days of training with UW's partners the University of Michigan

• Attend weekly meetings to discuss and explore restorative practice to further the implementation of restorative practices, communities, and teams at the University of Wyoming

• Commit to a minimum of two years as restorative justice facilitators and to be part of a team to facilitate employee conflict, student conflict, and conflict among students, employees, and the Laramie Community that build on four restorative justice principles: inclusive decision-making, active accountability, repairing harm and rebuilding trust.

 

The following members of the UW Community took part in the two-day training and now serve as members of the UW Restorative Justice Practice Team:

• Nikki Baldwin, Associate Lecturer, School of Teacher Education

• Renee Ballard, Employee Relations and Benefits Specialist, Human Resources

• Jesse Begin, Employee Relations and Development Manager, Human Resources

• Elsie Bell, Assistant Lecturer, LeaRN Programs

• Katie Buell, Residence Education Assistant Director, Residence Life and Dining Services

• Christi Carter, Diversity Analyst, Recruitment and Training Facilitator, Deputy ADA/504 Coordinator, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Kimberly Chestnut, Vice President for Student Affairs, Division of Student Affairs

• Nycole Courtney, Associate Vice President/Dean of Student Success and Graduation, Division of Student Affairs

• Jess Fahlsing, Senior Project Coordinator, Multicultural Affairs, Division of Student Affairs

• Bethann Garramon Merkle, Associate Research Scientist, Wyoming Cooperative Unit

• Jill Johnson, International Students and Scholars Director, Global Engagement

• Sandy Kingsley, SEO Project Manager, Student Educational Opportunity

• Sarah Kooienga, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

• Sandra Leotti, Assistant Professor, Division of Social Work

• Kaila Mills, Administrative Assistant, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Natawsha Mitchell, Senior Project Coordinator, Multicultural Affairs, Division of Student Affairs

• Emily Monago, Chief Diversity Officer, ADA/504 Coordinator, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Conor Mullen, Masters Student - Division of Social Work, Graduate Assistant - Social Justice Research Center

• Micaela Myers, Managing Editor, Institutional Marketing

• Connor Novotny, Faculty Member, Honors College

• Ryan Dinneen O'Neil, Acting Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students for Conduct, Division of Student Affairs

• Shawna Otte, Financial Aid Programs Coordinator, Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Rian Rabideau, Director of Residence Life, Residence Life and Dining Services

• Josh Sainz, PhD Student - College of Education, Graduate Assistant - Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Graduate Education

• Miranda Schrieber, Administrative Assistant, Division of Social Work

• Megan Selheim, Senior Program Coordinator, Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs

• Reinette Tendore, Project Coordinator, Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center, Division of Student Affairs

• Libby Thorson, Sexual Misconduct Investigator, Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs

• Melanie Vigil, Senior Project Coordinator, Multicultural Affairs, Division of Student Affairs

• Michelle Visser, University Art Museum

• Shannon Wachowski, Academic Outreach Coordinator, School of Teacher Education, College of Education