Strategies and Tips
UMass can be a wonderful, rewarding place to teach, research, and produce scholarly work and at the same time, being part of a large public university has challenges that can bring about conflict. Conflict is a normal part of every person’s life and yet not many feel confident about dealing with it effectively. Here are some resources that may be of help.
For All Faculty
- Five Competencies for Culturally Competent Teaching and Learning
- The Art of Disagreeing Agreeably
- The Six Minute Summary of Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
- Problem Solving Conversations Guidelines [pdf]
- Crisis Prevention Institute’s Top 10 De-Escalation Tips [pdf]
- Want to Reach All of Your Students? Here’s How to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive
For Chairs and Heads
- Enhancing Department Climate: A Guide for Department Chairs [pdf]
- The Conflict Management Tool Kit
- Dealing with Dysfunctional Academic Departments
- Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations and How to Become One
Campus Resources
The Maroon Folder is a resource guide to help faculty and staff recognize and respond to students in crisis or distress.
- Accessibility at UMass Resources Listing - information for faculty about a range of resources supporting an accessible campus and learning environment
- Center for Teaching and Learning - offers fellowships, consultations, and a range of programs and services supporting effective teaching (including a resource for navigating hot moments in the classroom)
- Center for Women and Community - provides counseling, referrals, rape crisis services, community education and trainings about sexual violence, healthy relationships and more
- Dean of Students Office Student Life Team - consults with faculty who have a concern about a student's wellbeing
- Disability Services - provides guidance to faculty in ensuring equal access to students with disabilities
- Employee Counseling and Consultation Office (ECCO - formerly FSAP) - a free and confidential counseling, consultation, and referral service that assists employees in resolving personal, work-related, and family problems
- Equal Opportunity and Access (EO&A) - addresses discrimination complaints, ADA access concerns, Title IX compliance, and manages the related grievance policies and procedures
- Equity and Inclusion - works to foster a climate that is welcoming to all by organizing educational programming, promoting collaborations, and regularly assessing the campus climate
- Graduate School - administers the policies and programs related to graduate study, supports GPDs, offers Research Mentor Training for graduate faculty
- International Programs Office - provides a range of information and supports for international scholars
- Office of Faculty Development - provides programming to support inclusive excellence and faculty career progression
- Stonewall Center - provides support, resources, programming, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) and allied students, staff, and faculty at UMass Amherst
- Worplace Bullying - provides training and resources for preventing workplace bullying, guidance and support for employees impacted, and administers the procedures for formal grievances
- Workplace Learning and Development - promotes employee and organizational growth, development, and empowerment by providing free workshops
Other Resources
Through Mass4You Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (use access code: Mass4You), GIC benefits-eligible employees and their families can find easy access to a comprehensive suite of free, confidential support available 24/7, including:
- Three in-person or Tele-EAP (virtual) counseling visits per issue per year – at no cost
- 30-minute telephonic or in-person legal or mediation consultation per issue per year – at no cost
- Guidance from a financial advisor to help with debt, foreclosure, financial planning and more
- Get referrals for a variety of Work-Life convenience services: child care, elder care and more
- Access to Optum’s 24/7 confidential Substance Abuse Treatment Helpline and a licensed clinician
No formal enrollment is required.