Campus Conflict Abstracts from the Early 1980s

Birnbaum, R. (1980). Creative Academic Bargaining: Managing Conflict in the Unionized College and University. New York: Teachers College. (270 pages). ERIC Number: ED195180

This article examines the evolution of collective bargaining in higher education and factors that lead academic bargaining from destructive conflict to cooperation. Academic bargaining is viewed as a form of shared authority, but one with unusual institutional and organizational problems that may lead toward destructive, rather than constructive conflict. The specific nature of the context, situation, and persons involved in bargaining, and their effect upon the nature of conflict are considered, as are perceptions, behaviors, and communication patterns that are likely to result when groups are locked into traditional bargaining structures.

Marske, C. E. & Vago, S. (1980). Law and Dispute Processing in the Academic Community. Judicature. 64(4): 165-75.

As the university becomes more of a bureaucracy than a community, changes occur in the law, power structures, and student faculty relationships, and members of the community are turning to the courts to resolve disputes they once settled informally.

McCarthy, J. (1980). Guest Editor of New Directions in Higher Education special theme issue entitled Resolving Conflict in Higher Education. Vol 8:4(32).

• McCarthy, J. E. Conflict and Mediation in the Academy. 1-8.
• Kurland, J. Mediating the Implementation of AAUP Standards. 9-17.
• Hollander, P. A. A Mediation Service for Administrators Regarding AAUA Standards. 19-31
• Zwingle, J. L. Resolving Conflict in the Upper Echelons. 33-41.
• Shubert, J. and J. Folger (1980). Handling student grievances in higher education. 43-47
• D'Errico, P., E. Katsh, et al. Legal Studies and Mediation. 48-55.
• Stamato, L. Taking the Initiative: Alternatives to Government Regulation. 56-68
• Birnbaum, R. Constructive Conflict in Academic Bargaining. 69-79.
• Begin, J. P. The Development of the Neutral Function in Labor Relations. 81-89.
  

Reichman, M. (1980). Resolving Campus-Community Conflicts. New Directions for Institutional Advancement (10): 79-92 .

In the early 1970s neighborhood movements developed around the concept of community integrity. As institutions expanded, neighbors began to fight encroachment on their way of life. Three case studies involving disputes between expanding urban universities and their neighborhoods reveal similarities in the development and resolution of campus-community problems.

Rodgers, R. F. (1983). Using Theory in Practice. Administration and Leadership in Student Affairs. T. K. Miller, R. B. Winston and W. R. Mendenhall (Eds), Muncie, Indiana: Accelerated Development Inc: 111-144.

This article explores a general approach to using theory in student affairs practice. After discussing some theories of student development, a case study concerning roommate conflicts in a university residence is used to explore how a developmental response to conflict could be employed by RAs. (Note: More information from this article is presented in the Resolve-it College Website's residence life section)

Sakovich, M. (1983). Conciliation Programs at Colleges and Univeriities: Adaptation of Community Boards to Meet Campus Needs. San Francisco: Community Board Center for Policy and Training.

This practical working paper reviews the community boards volunteer-staffed panel mediation process and suggests variations in the model to fit more comfortably within university structures and schedules. A suggested timeline of planning activities is presented as well.

McCarthy, J., I. Ladimer, et al. (1984). Managing Faculty Disputes. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

This highly focused book (developed by staff from the now defunct Center for Mediation in Higher Education) explores sources of conflict with and among faculty and reviews various sample grievance procedures, advocating for the increased use of informal mediation options. The book is out of print, so check your library or used book sources.