The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) offers a spectrum of services that may be tailored to meet individual circumstances involving conflict or address harm between parties.

Adaptable Resolution

The Adaptable Resolution (“ADR”) process occurs when a student is alleged to have violated the Code of Student Conduct. This is a remedies-based, structured process between or among affected parties that balances support and accountability without formal disciplinary action against the respondent. If appropriate, the Office of Community Standards will refer the case to the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Assistant Dean of Students is the administrator who is responsible for oversight of the ADR process. The Assistant Dean makes primary case assignments to the resolution coordinator and monitors the progress of each case to resolution. The nature of some conflicts, especially those involving violence, may render ADR inappropriate.

Examples of ADR facilitations include, but are not limited to:

1. Facilitated Dialogue – A structured and facilitated conversation between two or more individuals, most often the claimant, responding party, and/or other community members. 
2. Restorative Circle or Conference Process – A facilitated interaction where individuals who have experienced harm can come together with an individual(s) who assumes responsibility for repairing harm, with the goal of creating a plan or agreement to repair the harm (to the extent possible). 
3. Restorative Shuttle Agreement – An indirect, facilitated conversation conducted separately with the claimant, the responding party, and/or other participants to discuss experiences, perspectives, and exploration of interest while working toward meeting expressed needs. This negotiated process does not require direct interaction between the parties or the parties and other participants, but rather, independently, with a coordinator to create an agreement to repair harm. 
4. Community Supported Accountability Circle (CSAC) – a facilitated interaction between the responding party and University faculty and/or staff designed to provide accountability, structured support, and the development of a learning plan. The focus of a CSAC is to balance support and accountability for an individual who has acknowledged their obligation to repair harm, to prevent future harm, and their willingness to engage in an individual educational process. The CSAC model does not require participation from the claimant.

Adaptable Resolution for Title IX/Sexual Misconduct

ADR for Title IX/Sexual Misconduct occurs when a student is alleged to have violated the Interim Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Students. This pathway offers the Respondent the opportunity to acknowledge harm and seek to repair the harm (to the extent possible) experienced by the Complainant and/or the University Community. ADR does not include an investigation, hearing, or result in a finding of ‘responsible’ for a policy violation against a Respondent.

The Assistant Dean of Students is the administrator responsible for oversight of the ADR process. The ADR process will only be initiated at the complainant’s request after the submission of a formal complaint. The request is subject to the approval of the Title IX Coordinator or designee and requires agreement to participate from both the complainant and respondent.

Conflict Resolution

The Office of the Dean of Students offers a variety of services to the Miami community to assist in preventing and resolving conflicts between University members. If you are interested in accessing ODOS services, schedule a consultation to explore your options by emailing us at DeanofStudents@MiamiOH.edu.

Email us at DeanofStudents@MiamiOH.edu with questions or need for additional information.