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Active Sanctions - Interpersonal Conflict

These sanctions provide students with tools to resolve interpersonal conflicts constructively.

Conflict Management Workshop

  • Description: A one-hour, interactive, in-person workshop conducted by Student Conduct staff, followed by a short reflection paper
  • Appropriate for: Incidents involving interpersonal conflict
  • Not appropriate for: Serious violations involving use of force or bodily harm (may be appropriate as a supplementary sanction, but not as a stand-alone sanction)
  • Availability: As scheduled by the Office of Student Conduct
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Instructions to student (included with sanction letter): “You are required to attend the free Conflict Management Workshop offered by the Office of Student Conduct. Once you have completed the program, you are also required to write a paper reflecting on what you have gained from this experience. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and should address the following questions/issues:

A. Reflect on the program materials. Write a summary of the information presented. Is this new information to you?
B. How does this information relate to the policies that you have violated in this instance?
C. If placed in the same situation that led to incident, how would your actions be similar or different?
D. Why would your actions be similar or different?
E. What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?

Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Anger Management Workshop

  • Description: An online module designed to help students clarify their values and learn anger management strategies (followed by a short reflection paper)
  • Appropriate for: Incidents involving interpersonal conflict where the student has demonstrated difficulty in controlling their anger
  • Not appropriate for: Serious violations involving use of force or bodily harm (may be appropriate as a supplementary sanction, but not as a stand-alone sanction)
  • Availability: No restrictions
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Instructions to student (included with sanction letter): "You are required to complete the anger management workshop offered by the Office of Student Conduct. You can access the workshop at: https://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/anger-management-workshop.Once you have completed the program, you are also required to write a paper reflecting on what you have gained from this experience. This paper must be no less than 250 words in length (typed, double-spaced in paragraph form) and should address the following questions/issues:

A. Reflect on the program materials. Write a summary of the information presented. Is this new information to you?
B. How does this information relate to the policies that you have violated in this instance?
C. If placed in the same situation that led to incident, how would your actions be similar or different?
D. Why would your actions be similar or different?
E. What is the most important thing you have learned from this experience?

Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Violence Awareness Training

  • Description: A written assignment in which the student answers a series of essay questions about violence and its consequences
  • Appropriate for: Incidents involving violence or threats of violence (may be appropriate as a supplementary sanction, but not as a stand-alone sanction)
  • Not appropriate for: Serious violations that violate the physical integrity of another person; serious violations of the law
  • Availability: No restrictions
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): Violence Awareness assignment sheet
  • Instructions to student: “You are required to complete Violence Awareness Training (written assignment enclosed). You must answer all questions on the assignment and submit your written answers by email to me. Your completed work must be no less than 2,100 words in length (typed, double-spaced) and must address all questions on the assignment. Be advised that this paper may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others. The paper should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”

Restorative Justice Circle

  • Description: A meeting where community members who have been impacted by an incident (including victims, perpetrators, and others) can have an honest dialogue. It is a non-threatening way to rebuild trust, community, and relationships. Restorative Justice Circles focus on gaining understanding and reaching a mutually desired outcome or resolution.
  • Appropriate for: Cases where all parties are willing to participate in the circle
  • Not appropriate for: Cases where one or more parties are unwilling to participate; cases involving stalking or harassment
  • Availability: As scheduled between participants and the Office of Student Conduct
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Note: An unwilling student cannot be sanctioned with Restorative Justice practices.
  • Instructions to student: “You must participate in a restorative justice activity provided by the Office of Student Conduct. A member of the Student Conduct staff will contact you with the date of your restorative justice activity. The goal of restorative justice practices is to establish an option for addressing harm, to engage those harmed by providing them with an active role in addressing the harm and restoring community, while educating those who have harmed individuals, groups, and the larger Rutgers community.”

Restorative Justice Conference

  • Description: A meeting where victims and perpetrators can have an honest dialogue about the violation and its consequences
  • Appropriate for: Cases where both parties are willing to participate in the conference
  • Not appropriate for: Cases where one or more parties are unwilling to participate; cases involving stalking or harassment
  • Availability: As scheduled between participants and the Office of Student Conduct
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Note: An unwilling student cannot be sanctioned with Restorative Justice practices.
  • Instructions to student: “Restorative justice is a philosophical approach that embraces the reparation of harm. A central practice of restorative justice is a collaborative decision-making process that includes harmed parties, people who caused harm, and others to seek a resolution that includes: (a) accepting and acknowledging responsibility for harmful behavior, (b) repairing the harm caused to individuals and the community, and (c) working to rebuild trust by showing an understanding of the harm, addressing personal issues, and building positive social connections. The Restorative Justice Conference facilitators will contact you via email.”

Recommended Mediation

  • Description: A conversation between individuals in conflict facilitated by a trained mediator
  • Appropriate for: Interpersonal disputes that do not involve serious use of force or bodily harm
  • Not appropriate for: Cases where one or more parties are unwilling to participate; cases involving stalking or harassment
  • Availability: As scheduled between participants and mediator
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Note: An unwilling student cannot be sanctioned with Restorative Justice practices.
  • Instructions to student: “It is recommended that you attempt to deal with your interpersonal conflict in this instance through mediation. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party works with disputants to attempt to achieve a lasting and mutually satisfying outcome to the dispute. Although such action on your part is voluntary, be advised that this recommendation will remain a part of your disciplinary record. To initiate the mediation process, contact the Office of Student Conduct.”

Restorative Justice Coalition

  • Description: Participation in a restorative justice practice recommended by a member of the Residence Life Restorative Justice Coalition. The goal of restorative justice practices is to accept responsibility for one's actions, while addressing the harm caused and engaging those harmed in an attempt to reconcile and reestablish community relationships. Student is required to complete a Perspective Interview.
  • Appropriate for: Cases involving bias or intolerance; cases where the student is willing to participate in restorative justice
  • Not appropriate for: All other cases
  • Availability: As scheduled among participants and the Office of Student Conduct
  • Supporting materials (included with sanction letter): None
  • Note: An unwilling student cannot be sanctioned with Restorative Justice practices.
  • Instructions to student: “You must participate in a restorative justice practice provided by a member of the Restorative Justice Coalition. You will be contacted with details of participation. The goals of restorative justice practices are to accept responsibility while addressing the harm, and potentially engaging those harmed in an attempt to reconcile and reestablish community relationships. You must also interview at least one person who reflects the identity of the individual you wronged. Note: This interview must be approved by a member of the Restorative Justice Coalition. Provide a reason to this person as to why you are interviewing them. Ask meaningful questions that will allow you to learn why your actions may have been interpreted as hurtful. Ask the interviewee what they think can be done to restore the harm. After your interview, write an essay (at least 250 words, typed and double-spaced) that includes an overview of the interview and explains what you gained from this person’s perspective. Your essay may not serve to justify your own actions nor evaluate the actions of others. It should utilize appropriate language, grammar, and spelling.”