Head Resident Update
West Quad Staff
In Service Tonight
FOLLOWING THE INSERVICE WE WILL HAVE A QUICK FLY CHECK IN MEETING (No more than 30 minutes!)
STRENGTHS FINDER-Staff Meeting 9/30/2013
Snacks for the meeting include, but are not limited to: Goldfish crackers, chocolate chip cookies, candy...hot tea :)
Look Better, Feel Better, DU Better
WIN AN OSTRICH PILLOW!!...or learn what an ostrich pillow is :)
Soup 'n Sustainability
FLY Meeting
Professional Development Check In
Mediation is a very difficult skill because it often requires that you remain unbiased. It is important to do a self check and reflect on some of the mediations you have been involved in this semester. With roommate conflicts bound to be on the rise as the stress of the semester increases, refreshing your mediation skills is a must.
Here are some mediation tips:
- Expect the unexpected. Be willing to accept that new information and/or developments may arise. See these as opportunities to reduce or eliminate problems.
- Listen, listen, listen!! Listening is to mediation what location is to real estate. And focus on the problem, not on the people associated with it.
- Watch those tactics. Remember that mediation is not well-served by many tactics borrowed from litigation. Consider how you would react to what you are planning to do. Is it potentially offensive? Is it necessary? Is it in your real interests?
- Be prepared for mediation. Spend energy and time thinking through and discussing your approach. Consider options, alternatives and "what ifs" in advance
- Think outside of the box and turn constraints into opportunities. Try to look at the issues through the eyes of the opposite party.
- Watch yourself. Be aware of how you are perceived and how your presentation of a position invites or defies a productive dialogue. Build this into your pre-mediation preparation.
- Mediation is best thought of as a team endeavor, not as a spectator sport.
- Be ready to clarify and explain.
Mediation happens all the time-not just when working through a roommate conflict. Be sure to check your bias when working with students who have violated the code of student conduct or have a dispute with a member of the campus community. Mediation is a skill you will utilize post graduation-keep working on your skills and trying new ways of helping people solve problems and overcome adversity.
West is Best!
Email: mcgraveym@denison.edu
Website: duresedtoolbox.com
Location: 100 West College street
Twitter: @duresed