2008 Woodie Awards
Free Speech, Civil Society, Student Services and Good Manners
Charles Putnam and Anne Lawing
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: Commentary
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This is the final article in our four-part series about the First Amendment as it applies to campus life issues of concern, primarily to students once they leave the classroom. Today we will focus on UNH support services and offer closing thoughts.
Campus Support Services
When we hear or see expressions that offend us and strongly test our values, we can at times feel unsafe around ideas and behaviors we find repugnant.
Getting intensely involved in debates on the issues of the day and expressing unpopular views can empower some persons but leave others feeling vulnerable, attacked, or marginalized. Approaches to disputes and speech rights that emphasize legal claims and official interpretations of policy sometimes leave everyone involved feeling frustrated and exhausted. That is especially true in disputes that test the boundaries between nondiscrimination policies and free speech rights. Fortunately, the university offers many offices and services for students engaged in public controversies. While calling on friends and family is important, the following are additional resources on campus. This overview was collected from the websites noted. Please go to the websites for additional information.
The Office of Conduct and Mediation provides resources, education, and services that help support the academic mission of the university and foster a community where students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Staff is available to provide alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for resolving claims of harassment. OCM also provides free and confidential mediation services for students, creating a professional, safe, and neutral environment that is conductive to successful and constructive conflict resolution. (www.unh.edu/ocm)
The Department of Residential Life staffs the residence halls with professional residence hall directors, senior resident assistants in large halls, and 134 student resident assistants. They are available at any time when the dorms are open to discuss issues of climate, safety, personal responsibility, and university policies. (www.unh.edu/residential-life)
Campus Support Services
When we hear or see expressions that offend us and strongly test our values, we can at times feel unsafe around ideas and behaviors we find repugnant.
Getting intensely involved in debates on the issues of the day and expressing unpopular views can empower some persons but leave others feeling vulnerable, attacked, or marginalized. Approaches to disputes and speech rights that emphasize legal claims and official interpretations of policy sometimes leave everyone involved feeling frustrated and exhausted. That is especially true in disputes that test the boundaries between nondiscrimination policies and free speech rights. Fortunately, the university offers many offices and services for students engaged in public controversies. While calling on friends and family is important, the following are additional resources on campus. This overview was collected from the websites noted. Please go to the websites for additional information.
The Office of Conduct and Mediation provides resources, education, and services that help support the academic mission of the university and foster a community where students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Staff is available to provide alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for resolving claims of harassment. OCM also provides free and confidential mediation services for students, creating a professional, safe, and neutral environment that is conductive to successful and constructive conflict resolution. (www.unh.edu/ocm)
The Department of Residential Life staffs the residence halls with professional residence hall directors, senior resident assistants in large halls, and 134 student resident assistants. They are available at any time when the dorms are open to discuss issues of climate, safety, personal responsibility, and university policies. (www.unh.edu/residential-life)
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