Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue
Students walking through the Rocky Top hallway in the Student Union

Conflict Resolution Resources

Student Conduct & Community Standards (SCCS) offers resources that could assist in the conflict resolution process. These resources can help you better understand yourself and others to engage in conflict in a healthy and productive manner.

Each of these resources may be issued by SCCS, but access to and additional information about these resources may also be requested by emailing studentconduct@utk.edu.

Conflict Styles Assessment is an online assessment assigned to students to help them understand their individual conflict styles. Conflict style represents our inclination, or natural tendency, when faced with a situation involving conflict. Knowing the five main conflict styles can help students understand the choices we have for managing conflict. And knowing our own conflict style can help students identify how they might want to approach conflict differently––how they might better manage it, depending on the nature of their relationship with the person with whom they are experiencing conflict, the amount of time they have to manage the conflict, and the importance of the issue to them. There is a time and a place to use each style and each style has its advantages and limitations. By being aware of their own conflict style and being able to identify the style of the person with whom they are in conflict, students can better pursue a mutually agreeable outcome for all parties involved.

Finding Common Ground is an online empathy training course in Canvas. This program is intended to help students understand and increase empathy toward themselves and others, especially toward those who are different from oneself. Empathy is expressed outwardly through both word and action, but it is also personal. The goal of this course is to provide students with practical information about empathy – what students do with that information is completely their choice.

A No Contact Directive (NCD) is an administrative, non-punitive action that may be taken by the University. NCD’s prohibit a student from having verbal, physical, written, and/or electronic contact with specific other persons for a definite or indefinite period of time. Please see the No Contact Directive webpage for more information about this resource.

The Office of Ombuds Services generally serves graduate students, faculty, and staff to assist in conflict resolution. Please visit the Office of Ombuds Services website for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Office of Ombuds Services power T logo.

For students living in on-campus residence halls, University Housing provides conflict resolution resources (i.e., roommate agreements, etc). Please see the University Housing website, contact your Resident Assistant (RA), or contact your Hall Director (HD) for more information.

University Housing logo with a power T.

VolsGrow is a Canvas course created by SCCS to help students develop and restore dignity in themselves and their relationships. VolsGrow was developed with the guidance of Dr. Donna Hicks, an expert in the field of dignity. VolsGrow focuses on helping teach students about the importance of dignity, making them aware of the role it plays in their everyday lives.

SCCS staff are trained in a myriad of conflict resolution techniques. Email studentconduct@utk.edu to request a conflict resolution presentation by an SCCS staff member.

Graphic of a stick figure giving a presentation next to a chalk board.