In addition to being a conflict resolution service, the Center can provide an educational experience that can be quite significant both for the disputants and for Center volunteers. Conflict is not the exception. It is the norm and familar to everyone.
Conflicts have meaning.
When this meaning is understood disputants have an opportunity to improve and change their situation. The peaceful expression of conflict within the campus community is a positive value. Perhaps the easiest way for a campus community to assist in the resolution of conflict is to advocate for its early and peaceful expression, not waiting until it has escalated and can no longer be avoided before taking action. The campus community can demonstrate its willingness to share responsibility for conflict resolution by making available to persons in conflict a team of competent and trained volunteer community mediators. However, the mediators must place the responsibility on the disputants for the actual expression and resolution of the conflict.