Today@Sam Article

SHSU Hosts Conflict Resolution Month

Oct. 2, 2020
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

By Gene Roberts

Student Legal and Mediation Services will host the eighth annual Conflict Resolution Month at Sam Houston State University in October. Conflict Resolution Month is a time to equip the SHSU community with useful insights and tools to effectively resolve disputes.

“Conflict is inevitable within any relationship or community – friends, roommates, coworkers, and even between governments,” said Gene Roberts, director of Student Legal and Mediation Services and current chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Texas. “Unresolved conflict can damage relationships, decrease productivity, and reduce commitments to organizations. The key is having the knowledge and tools to address conflict in a healthy and productive way, and that is what our office will provide this month.”

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This year will highlight several leaders in the areas of mediation, negotiation, and arbitration. All the presentations will be conducted via Zoom, with registration required. The schedule of events includes:

  • Oct. 6, Noon to 1 p.m.- Karey Barnes, MSPA, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, South Texas College. “Group Conflicts and Strategic Planning”
  • Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to Noon - Jennifer Ortiz Prather, Supervisory Attorney and Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Manager of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Houston and New Orleans’ offices and Kim Sullivan, Director of Employee Relations and Dispute Resolution at VMware in Austin. “Leadership at Every Level: Civility in the Workplace” (in collaboration with SHSU Human Resources; must register through Talent Management)
  • Oct. 22, 2 to 3 p.m. - Meg Soper, international speaker and comedian. “Bring it On: Strategies for Teamwork and Resilience” (open to the SHSU community and in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs)
  • Oct. 26, Noon to 1 p.m. - John DeGroote, Esq., founder of DeGroote Partners and former Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Texas. “Creativity in Negotiations”
  • Oct. 28, 2 to 3 p.m. - Ingeuneal C. Gray, Esq., Vice President of the American Arbitration Association. “What is Arbitration?”

“Our lineup consists of extraordinarily competent conflict resolution professionals and leaders in their field. Their reputations are known throughout Texas and the country, and we are excited that they will share their knowledge with the Sam Houston State community” Roberts said.

A Conflict Resolution Month pledge will be in front of Suite 327 in the Lowman Student Center throughout October. This is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to express their commitment to the peaceful and responsible resolution of disputes in their lives. Currently enrolled SHSU students who take a selfie in front of the mural and post it online to any SLMS social media by midnight on Oct. 30, using #CRM20SLMS will be eligible for a prize.

SLMS is also encouraging the viewing of a documentary available on YouTube, “How to Love Your Enemy: A Restorative Justice Story.” Students who view the movie and post a one-minute video on their thoughts about the movie will be eligible for a prize. Entries from currently enrolled SHSU students must be posted online to any SLMS social media by midnight on Oct. 30, using #CRM20SLMS.

Other presentations during Conflict Resolution Month include conflict management for emerging student leaders in collaboration with Leadership Initiatives, and a workshop on Verbal Aikido methods with Luke Archer, in collaboration with The Graduate School at SHSU. These presentations are by invitation, only.

For more information and Zoom links, visit the SLMS homepage, or follow on social media social media by searching @shsuslms on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About SLMS

Student Legal and Mediation Services is committed to serving SHSU students by providing them with high-quality legal advice and equipping them with techniques to resolve disputes so they can focus on their educational goals. You can learn more at shsu.edu/slms

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