Needs Assessment Tool #1:

WHERE WOULD THEY GO?

Case Examples

What Questions May Be Addressed by This Measure?

This tool allows you to assess the current level of knowledge about conflict resolution that exists on your campus. By distributing this measure widely on campus, you will learn what students, staff, and faculty believe is the best source for solving interpersonal conflict.

How Do I Use This Measure?

The case examples included in this measure are typical of many campus conflicts (although you may wish to invent a few more of your own examples that are directly relevant to ongoing conflicts on your campus). You may distribute this measure to individuals, or have small groups work together as in a brainstorming task. It may be administered in meetings, in classrooms, or at other campus events. You may want to include a place on the measure (e.g., checklist) where people can indicate their role on campus ­ student, staff, faculty. There are likely to be few, if any, issues of confidentiality around using this tool, although it is wise to indicate that answers will be anonymous.

What Information Will the Results Give Me?

You will learn about the effectiveness and general awareness of conflict resolution services currently offered by your institution. You may learn that there are few places to which campus members can turn for aid in resolving disputes. You may be able to discover good sources of informal problem-solvers on your campus ­ people you never knew were even involved in conflict resolution. Any of this information should be useful to help you to identify needs for a mediation service.

"WHERE WOULD THEY GO?"

This survey presents a number of examples of people who, for one reason or another, are having difficulty getting along. After each example, write down where you think they should go to find help to solve their problem. If you don't have any ideas, either guess or write "I don't know" after the example. There are no right or wrong answers and responses will remain anonymous.

Example 1:

Jason, a student in Introduction to Psychology, is having a disagreement with his instructor, Dr. Reynolds, over his midterm essay exam grade. Dr. Reynolds is not being particularly responsive to Jason's concerns.

WHERE could Jason go on campus for assistance with his problem?

Example 2:

Jennifer, a second-year student living in the residence hall, is having problems with her roommate, Aleisha. They have been arguing over using the room for socializing, playing music, and having overnight guests. Jennifer doesn't feel that she's getting through to Aleisha.

WHERE could Jennifer go on campus for assistance with her problem?

Example 3:

Marie, who works in the admissions office, recently lost her temper with her co-worker, Roger. Marie thinks Roger's computer screensaver is offensive, and she has overheard him telling insensitive jokes to a friend on the phone during his break.

WHERE could Marie go on campus for assistance with her problem?

Example 4:

Kalib, a professor in the School of Business, is involved in a conflict with John, another professor, over who should be first author on a paper they both worked on. John refuses to discuss the matter further with Kalib.

WHERE could Kalib go on campus for assistance with his problem?

Example 5:

Monica, a departmental secretary, feels she has been given far too much work lately by her new boss, Henry, and thinks his expectations of her are unrealistic. She is afraid to confront him about her workload.

WHERE could Monica go on campus for assistance with her problem?

Please check whether you are:

_____ Staff _____ Faculty _____ Student _____ Other

<-Back to Eval Home -- Up To Contents -- Continue to Next Unit->