Summer Time is Meeting Time!

Around the RAPP Office, summer is a time for many projects.  Training, long-range planning, analyzing the previous year's programs' impact, Accelerating Racial Justice updates & preps, grappling with big questions, and more is tackled by all the great people who make RAPP happen - student staff, volunteers, and the Steering Committee.

Here are some of the big projects we've been working on lately:

• Working through how to effectively implement "year one" of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation training through SALD.  With the support of the Diversity Council, RAPP Program Coordinator Rebecca Lehman was able to become a Level I certified trainer in this.  How do we make sure they made an excellent investment?
• "Refreshing" the curriculum, session plans, and materials of Accelerating Racial Justice.  Refreshing is what I call the process of reviewing and applying all of the feedback we gathered throughout the pilot week and during two-week, two-month, and eight-month follow-up surveys.
• Exploring whether and how we could further integrate faculty and staff into the RAPP's current programming.  There is an imperative to connect more with these groups, but RAPP lacks the resources to establish any new programming.

Much gratitude to the following people for all their work with these major projects!
Becca Hammond (Resident Education & Development)
Brice Mickey (XXV)
Corinne Patterson (Women in Leadership & Learning)
Ericka Duckworth Harrison (University Judicial Affairs)
Gregory Gamble (ARJ 2012)
Jamieson Williams (XXVII)
Kim Fulbright (Ombuds)
Lauren Clark (UC Learning Assistance Center)
Megan Kreaps (XXVII)
Nicole Mayo (Director, SALD)
Shyamal Ruparel (XXVI)
Susie Mahoney (SALD)
Terri Hurdle (SALD

Notes from the latest Kingian Nonviolence training planning meeting.

Just Conversations Student Mediator Positions Available - Application Deadline Apr 13th!

From UC Ombuds:

The Just Conversations Mediation program provides mediation training to a select group of students who then volunteer to serve the UC community as conflict coaches.  

The application is also available for download/printing from the Ombuds website:  www.uc.edu/ombuds.  

 The application deadline is April 13, 2012.

"Just Conversations" Mediation Program

"Just Conversations" is a student mediation program sponsored by the Center for Dialogue and the Office of the University Ombuds.

The "Just Conversations" mediation program recruits and trains volunteer student mediators who serve individuals and campus organizations with conflict management.

"Just Conversations" student mediators will assist with a variety of student issues including roommate disputes, interpersonal issues and organizational conflicts.

The "Just Conversations" program provides hands on experiences for UC students to practice civility, embrace freedom and openness, promote justice and accept responsibility.

Our mediation services are confidential, informal and free to members of the UC community. For more information, please contact us at the Office of the University Ombuds.

The Just Conversations program is affiliated with UC's Just Community initiative.

The Just Conversations program is a collaboration between the Office of the University Ombuds, the Office of University Judicial Affairs, Student Activities and Leadership Development and Residential Education & Development.

Non-Violent Peacemaking Workshop: Oct 20th!

From Enough is Enough:

In recognition of International Conflict Resolution Day, please join us for:
Non-Violent Peacemaking Workshop

Thursday, October 20, 2011

7:00-8:30 pm, Daniels Residence Hall - North Lounge

Take one practical step towards a less violent world.

This workshop will introduce techniques you can use when faced with a conflict that might turn nasty or violent. By defusing the immediate situation, you create a space that gives everyone time to understand the root of the conflict and to resolve it in a peaceful way.

This interactive workshop will introduce you to basic nonviolent communication and conflict resolution methods and show you how to use these skills in everyday conflict situations.

Presented by: Kristen Barker, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center

Sponsored by: Office of the University Ombuds, Resident Education and Development, and Enough is Enough

Ombuds Just Conversations Program Seeking Mediators

The Office of the University Ombuds is looking for student volunteers for the Just Conversations peer mediation program!

The "Just Conversations" mediation program recruits and trains volunteer student mediators who serve individuals and campus organizations with conflict management.

"Just Conversations" student mediators will assist with a variety of student issues including roommate disputes, interpersonal issues and organizational conflicts.

The "Just Conversations" program provides hands on experiences for UC students to practice civility, embrace freedom and openness, promote justice and accept responsibility.

Some brief points about the Just Conversations Mediator position:

• This is a volunteer position.
• Students will conduct peer mediation, conflict coaching and provide workshops and programs.
• A 12 hour training program will be held this spring, on Friday May 6^th and Saturday May 7^th.
• The commitment for next year is minimal (2 meetings/month) and very flexible.
• Mediation and conflict management skills are highly marketable!

Our mediation services are confidential, informal and free to members of the UC community. For more information about Just Conversations or applying to be a mediator, please contact Jean Griffin at 513-556-5956 or jean.griffin@uc.edu.

Enough is Enough Anti-Violence Campaign - Apr 4-8!

From UC News:

UC Joins National Anti-Violence Campaign

Tragedies at Virginia Tech and other universities have inspired “Enough is Enough,” a national campaign to stop violence. The University of Cincinnati will support the national campaign with a week of activities.

Date: 3/25/2011 12:00:00 AM
By: Greg Hand
Phone: (513) 556-1822

   A week-long effort to halt campus violence will mark the beginning of spring quarter at the University of Cincinnati. From April 4 through April 8, the UC community will join together as part of a nationwide campaign to ensure peace and security throughout America’s schools.

The “Enough is Enough” campaign is coordinated across the country by NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The campaign grew out of a call to action by Zenobia Lawrence Hikes, vice president of student affairs at Virginia Tech, whose analysis of the 2007 tragedy at that university inspired NASPA to chart a “new paradigm for safety and security on the nation’s campuses.” The "Enough is Enough" Campaign unites administrators, educators, and counselors from high schools and colleges, as well as parents and students. “The kind of violence that results in campus tragedies begins – and therefore must be addressed – long before it reaches our schools and campuses,” said Daniel S. Cummins, chair of UC’s participation in “Enough is Enough.”

At the University of Cincinnati, events each day will explore different aspects of violence prevention, safety and security.

On Monday, April 4, in a noon ceremony at Tangeman University Center, campus leaders will charge the university community to reflect on the roots of violence and to take action to prevent it. The cost of campus violence will be presented through a display in the Tangeman University Center lobby. Everyone in the UC community will be asked to sign a pledge to show solidarity to end violence in society and on campus. Each person who signs will receive a wristband to demonstrate their commitment.

Tuesday, April 5, will be a day of reflection as Dean Valerie Hardcastle describes how a violent act affected the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences. Her presentation at noon in the MainStreet Cinema will be followed by a question and answer session with the dean and UC Police Chief Gene Ferrara.

A call to action will highlight Wednesday’s agenda on April 6 with a clinic on civility and mediation presented by the University Ombuds at noon in MainStreet Cinema. UC’s residence halls will explore cyber bullying and the risks of online social networks with a 9:00 p.m. program in Daniels Hall.

Thursday, April 7, will focus on violence prevention, as nationally known self-defense expert Debbie Gardner offers a seminar at noon in the MainStreet Cinema.

The week will end Friday, April 8, with a Picnic for Peace on McMicken Commons from noon to 2:00 p.m., sponsored by Student Government.

Throughout the Enough is Enough Week, members of the university community who may wish assistance or desire counseling support are encouraged to contact

• UC Counseling Center (513-556-0648) 316 Dyer Hall
• Impact Solutions (800-227-6007)
• University Health Services (513-556-2564) 3rd Floor Lindner Center

Referrals to a member of campus ministry may be made through the Dean of Students Office (513-556-5250) 745 Steger Student Life Center.

Partners for the UC observance of “Enough is Enough” include the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences, the BearCAT (Community Action Team), Office of Ethnic Programs & Services, African American Cultural & Resource Center, Student Government, Graduate Student Governance Association, LGBTQ Center, University Ombuds, Office of Resident Education and Development, Office of Student Life, UC Police, and UC Women’s Center.

For more information on UC's "Enough is Enough" campaign, see http://www.uc.edu/conduct/enough.html
For more information about the national “Enough is Enough” campaign, see http://www.naspa.org/enough/

UC Ombuds Celebrates 40 Years! - Nov 17th

From UC Ombuds:

C o m e C e l e b r a t e t h e 40th Anniversary of the University Ombuds Office

When: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
From 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: University Pavilion Rm. 310
RSVP: Click Here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LH2QJ5D

Refreshments will be served.

For 40 years the UC Ombuds have worked to create dialogue, informal and often elegant resolutions to conflicts, and help build a sense of community. Join current and prior Ombuds for a discussion of how we have changed and grown over the years.

We look forward to seeing you!