In the current social and political climate, it seems easier than ever for one to enter into conflict with another, unintentional or otherwise. Which is why The College of Idaho, in partnership with the Bartos Institute, is offering an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community members to gain strength in conflict management and resolution exercises from June 4-6 on the College’s campus.
The Bartos Institute, based out of the United World College in Montezuma, New Mexico, will be on the Caldwell campus engaging multiple stakeholders in conflict management and resolution exercises. The goal is to place students together, provide them with challenging academic and experiential education programs, and help demonstrate that their innate similarities will result in relationships and bridges between cultures. There is no charge to participate.
“The training was a reflective workshop that allowed participants to engage with each other. It opened up my eyes to the idea that conflict is not necessarily negative or divisive, but it can be an opportunity to constructively problem solve and broaden perspective,” said Justin Waldron, the College’s First-Year Residential Programs Coordinator. “I learned quite a bit with my RA staff team that year and the skills have stuck with me as my career in higher education has progressed.”
Interested parties can sign up for one of six sessions on June 4, 5 or 6. There are two sessions each day at either 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Each session lasts for approximately three hours. Among the topics that will be discussed:
- Active Listening/Coaching
- Leveraging Difficult Perspectives
- Difficult Dialogue
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Who am I? Who are You?
- Digital/Virtual Communities
The College of Idaho has a large number of United World College graduates now attending the College. Vice President of Enrollment Management Brian Bava is a UWC alumnus and co-Chair of its US Selection Committee. To learn more about UWC, click here.
“This type of workshop training would be extremely beneficial to any young person,” Bava said. “Our hope is that the individuals involved would take something back to their schools, organizations, and businesses that would help in the future.”
Interested people are encouraged to contact Mwabi Chipeta ([email protected]) for more information and session availability.
On Friday, June 7, the Bartos Institute Fellow, Arjun Singh Sethi, will be giving a talk that is open to the entire college community at 10:00 a.m. in the recital hall inside the Langroise Center for Performing & Fine Arts. He recently published the book American Hate: Survivors Speak Out, a collection of testimonials from people who have been the targets of hate crimes. Then, on Monday, June 10, Naomi Swinton and Teddy Warria will be speaking in room 106 of the Kathryn Albertson International Center at 1:00 p.m. Swinton is the Bartos Director and Warria is a Bartos Fellow and entrepreneur who is completing a book on Nelson Mandela.
The College of Idaho has a 128-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.