Conflict Management

How do you handle this?

Conflict Management

Al Bean- University of Southern MaineStudent-athlete Misconduct

Val Cushman- Randolph-Macon Women’s CollegeResource Management

Steve Larson- Northern Athletics ConferencePersonnel Conflicts

Susan Bassett- Carnegie Mellon UniversityExternal Constituencies

Student-Athlete MisconductAl Bean, University of Southern Maine

Gambling

Hazing

Disorderly Conduct

Plagiarism

Resource ManagementVal Cushman, Randolph-Macon Women’s College

Facilities

Budgets

2 Dogs and One Bone:

Limited Resources and Conflict Management

Do you have enough resources to meet your needs? Facilities Staffing Operating Budget

If the answer is yes– This would be a great time to step out and get

some fresh air!

If the answer is no…

Does the shortage of resources cause conflict/strain among members of the department? If so, you are experiencing the worst of all

conflicts imaginable -

The Two Dogs

and One Bone Syndrome

When does conflict arise?

Not enough to go around When an individual or a group of individuals

perceives s/he is not getting their fair share of the pie

Can lead to issues of trust

Conflict Resolution Research

Communication Listen Clarify Summarize Get the “yes” Brainstorm

Create Win-Wins

Who has time for that?!

Master knows best approach Strengths of this approach

Understand big picture Insure fairness Easiest, most efficient

Weaknesses May not always know best

One person making decisions is not as effective as many voices

Energy invested as watchdogs

Another approach

Let them “duke it out” approach Resolution may well be achieved But it may also result in life-threatening

wounds

A budget model for consideration

Mixed model Locus of control stays at the top Equity issues controlled for Allows for some program-level decision-

making Open process minimizes trust issues

Concept One - Control

Must have decision-making models in place for major areas Uniform purchase policy Per Diem Priority system for facility use

Must create buy-in for models at time of hiring Must consistently use models

Concept Two

Hire professional and treat them like professionals Allow some autonomy in decision-making Create trust through communication and open

sharing Reward good work – capitalize on the

competitive environment we work in

Here’s how it can work

Decision-making grids in place for: Meals Lodging Uniform Replacement Professional Development Transportation

Keep the locus of control where it matters

More control where it directly affects student-athletes and/or others in the department Practice times Per diem

Give control in other areas Recruiting – both merit and need based Professional Development Meal Money Saved

Budget Request Process

Decision-Making Models are automatically inserted Program Director (coach, trainer, SID) input requests

on shared file Includes 1, 2, 3, or capital ranking Requested are open for everyone to see

Athletic Director and SWA review requests and w/ input from SWA, AD makes decisions, sometimes in consultation

Again, everyone sees budget allocation and can answer questions, particularly those from student-athletes

Back to the Research

Communication Listen Clarify Get the “yes” Brainstorm Create Win-Wins

Back to the 2 dogs-one bone analogy

Fortunately, those of us involved in the world of intercollegiate athletics are not dogs!

If we hire professionals If we inform in the hiring process A mixed-model approach may well do the

trick.

Now, let’s talk about dog tricks!

Personnel ConflictsSteve Larson, Northern Athletics Conference

Discipline

Termination

External ConstituenciesSusan Bassett, Carnegie Mellon University

Parents

Alumni

Boosters

Setting Parameters

Pre-season meeting with student-athletes Pre-season meeting or communication with

parents (coach) Careful language in the recruiting process Be friendly, but not friends- set the tone Policies related to “Friends” of athletics

NCAA recruiting regulations Clear boundaries on support

Conflict Resolution Policy

A student-athlete who has concerns related to his or her athletics participation has several options available to resolve the issues, including:

Scheduling an individual meeting with the head coach Seek counsel from team captains or athletics advisory council

representatives Schedule an individual meeting with the director of athletics Seeking counsel from an appropriate person outside the

athletics department (academic advisor, associate dean, counseling center staff)

All students are considered adults and under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy act. College personnel may not discuss issues with parents unless the student provides a waiver.