Conflict and Misconduct

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Conflict

It’s very common for a committee to experience some conflict over the year. Running a student group can be stressful especially alongside a challenging degree and other commitments. It’s valuable to know how best to manage situations of conflict, and what to do if the conflict escalates into misconduct.


Conflict versus Misconduct

We define conflict as one or more of the following:

  • A serious disagreement or argument;

  • Friction resulting from actual or perceived differences;

  • When people want different things and are unable to compromise.


This is as opposed to misconduct, which we define as behaving in an unacceptable manner. This is established through the YUSU Code of Conduct, which outlines what behaviours are not accepted within our Union; the University's Regulation 7: Student Discipline; and more general common sense.


While conflict generally involves a disagreement or a difference of opinion, misconduct applies when there is a clear use of unacceptable behaviours.

Causes of Conflict

Within your group, you should look to create a culture that fosters an environment from the beginning where conflict is less likely to arise. However, conflict can occur even when this environment is in place. Causes of conflict could be:

  • Personal issues;

  • Unclear committee roles;

  • Inadequate training;

  • Bullying and harassment;

  • Poor communication.

Conflict is less likely to arise when there is:

  • Trust;

  • Communication;

  • Understanding;

  • Active Listening;

  • Honesty;

  • Professionalism.


It's important to deal with conflict as soon as it occurs. This means facing it head-on and probably having some difficult conversations. This might feel really hard, but it will support your own personal and professional development, as well as working to resolve the issues!

Responding to conflict

To face conflict you should:

  • Use an informal process where possible;

  • Look to nip it in the bud and prevent it escalating;

  • Focus on the behaviours that have been displayed.


An informal approach to conflict should follow these steps:

  1. Meet with those involved separately to find out their perspective, and listen carefully to what they have to say.

  2. In these meetings, ask each party to think about how the conflict could be resolved.

  3. Advise each party that if the issue is not resolved informally, the next steps would be to involve YUSU or the University through a formal process.

  4. If a solution is possible, work with both parties together to move forward positively.

  • You could arrange a meeting between both parties to talk through what's happened.

  • YUSU can support you with this, such as having the Activities Officer present,

  1. Monitor the situation and any agreement which has been put in place.


Important

If at any stage a disclosure is made to you regarding harassment, violence, sexual violence, bullying or discrimination, please stop your informal process and advise the student where to seek help from YUSU or the University.


Informal processes are only appropriate for minor disagreements or where allegations may have been made in error. If you are in any doubt, seek advice from the Activities Officer or your link staff member.



Preventing Future Conflict

To help prevent future conflict within your group, work together as a committee to:


  • Put systems and procedures in place which everyone understands;

    • e.g. agree that project matters are only discussed at formal committee meetings

  • Develop strong professional relationships with one another, separate and distinct from your personal relationships;

  • Communicate regularly, professionally, and positively as a group to help you work together.


Misconduct

We define misconduct as behaving in an unacceptable manner. As stated, misconduct is established through the YUSU Code of Conduct, which outlines what behaviours are not accepted within our Union; the University's Regulation 7: Student Discipline; and more general common sense.


Raising a Complaint to YUSU

YUSU has recently reviewed our student group complaint handling procedure with a new system in place for managing any complaints that encompass allegations of student misconduct in relation to a YUSU member or members of a YUSU student group when participating in any activity or event, in-person or online.


Moving forward, should you have a complaint you wish to raise, please follow the below process:


A member of your student group should fill in the Complaint Submission Form


A YUSU staff member will then review the submission form and contact the member or student group in question to obtain further information as needed to ascertain whether this is the most appropriate policy for the issue being raised, considering the nature of the issue, the complainant’s preferred course of action (where appropriate) and any scope for informal resolution.


If in the first instance you would like some advice on how to manage a situation, please email studentconduct@yusu.org where a member of the YUSU staff team will be able to help and advise on the next steps.


For further information on how a complaint at YUSU is handled, please visit By Law 12 - YUSU Code of Conduct.


Raising a Complaint to the University

Misconduct incidents occasionally should be raised to the University. This should happen in the following instances:

  • If there is a clear case of an individual behaving in an inappropriate manner towards other students, regardless of whether they are in your student group;

  • If there are allegations of harassment, violence, sexual violence, bullying, discrimination or other criminal offences.


To report an incident to the University, you can use the Incident Reporting Form on the Student Misconduct page. Students can report on behalf of others, and you can provide your contact details or report anonymously. However, if you choose to report anonymously the University will not be able to offer you any direct support or initiate an investigation or other formal process.


If you provide your details, you’ll be contacted by a member of University staff within two working days. They will consider the case, investigate it, and then, if appropriate, put measures in place to safeguard the reporting person or anyone else involved. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, disciplinary procedures may be instigated.

Questions?

For all queries around student misconduct or complaints, contact - studentconduct@yusu.org