The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) provides an environment that respects the value of people; this enhances the university's ability to hire, recruit, and retain faculty, staff, and students of the highest integrity.
The UTHSC-H Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution Program is an alternative approach to existing formal processes for clarification of problems concerning policy or procedures as well as resolution of interpersonal disputes among faculty, staff, and students.
The Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution Board is composed of individuals appointed for three-year terms by the UTHSC-H president. This board's mission is to provide to UTHSC-H employees and students effective means to resolve problems and conflicts through communication and problem solving skills. Individuals serving on this board receive training on conflict resolution/problem solving techniques.
Concerns relating to affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, sex harassment, wages, tenure and promotion, academic requirements, and academic freedom will not be addressed by the board. Individuals with these concerns will be referred immediately to the appropriate UTHSC-H administrator or committee since these concerns should be addressed under the appropriate procedures in HOOP policies 2.04 Discrimination and Harassment, 2.18 Equal Employment Opportunity, 2.18A Affirmative Action, and 2.50A Grievances-Disability; 3.05 Performance Appraisal and 3.06 Termination (A&P employees); 4.05 Promotion, 4.06 Tenure, 4.07 Evaluation, 4.08 Termination for Good Cause, and 4.24 Grievances (faculty); 5.10 Performance Evaluation and 5.13 Disciplinary Action (classified employees); and 6.03 Conduct and Discipline (students). Policy and/or procedures related to academic performance for students are addressed by each school.
No employee will be penalized, disciplined, or prejudiced for exercising the right to consult the Conflict Resolution Board.
I. Core Values for UTHSC-H
The following are the UTHSC-H core values that the Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution Program is designed to enhance:
Integrity:
Be consistently ethical; honest; maintain allegiance to the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.
Honesty:
Refuse to deceive or defraud.
Mutual Respect:
Consider each other worthy of esteem.
Accountability:
Assume responsibility for one's actions.
Fairness:
Be consistent in treatment of others; be unbiased.
Collegiality:
Share power and authority vested among colleagues.
Individuals who feel they have a problem or a conflict involving university policy and/or procedures or an interpersonal problem involving faculty, staff, or students may contact a member of the Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution Board (board). The board member will discuss the problem with the individual. Every attempt will be made to solve the problem at the lowest possible level. Either the individual or the board member may terminate the process by notifying the other party. The individual may proceed to the appropriate grievance process.
If the problem is one involving university policy or procedures, the board member will explain the policy and/or procedures and make a referral to the appropriate university administrative office. In those cases in which providing information and referral is not sufficient, the board member will take on the role of a mediator by assisting in the communication as a neutral third party. The board member may intervene on behalf of the employee or student in speaking to appropriate UTHSC-H officials. If necessary, the board member may make suggestions regarding possible clarification or revision of existing policy or procedures.
The board's role in the resolution of interpersonal disputes is more complex, involving a myriad of communication skills and techniques. Once approached, the board member will listen carefully to assist the individual in identifying the problem. The individual will then be provided with various options. The board member may coach the individual in collaborative problem solving techniques and communications strategies. This approach will enable the individual to maintain total control of the situation and its resolution while the board member acts merely as a facilitator. In other cases, the individual may be unwilling or unable to use the collaborative problem solving approach, preferring more active involvement by the board member. In such cases, the board member will serve as a mediator for the persons involved in the conflict. Although participation in the mediation process is voluntary, it will be strongly encouraged by UTHSC-H administration. If either party refuses to participate, or the mediation fails to resolve the problem, the complaining party will be advised to address their concerns through the existing grievance policy (refer to 2.50 Grievances or 4.24 Grievances for faculty). However, a person cannot pursue an issue under the problem solving/conflict resolution process and a grievance process simultaneously.
Except in situations in which a board member has reason to suspect that an illegal act may have occurred or is being contemplated, all matters discussed will be kept strictly confidential within the board to the extent allowed by law, unless the individual gives permission to the board member to discuss the subject with others.
The board will consist of members from the university community appointed by the president for three-year terms. Training in problem solving and conflict resolution techniques, as well as UTHSC-H policy and procedures affecting employees and students, will be provided. The board will be headed by a coordinator and report to an executive committee consisting of the president, the executive vice president for academic affairs, and the chief of staff.
An individual wishing to use the board's services may contact any one of the members for assistance. The board members will have access to the executive committee; however, efforts will be made to solve the problem at the lowest level. The coordinator will prepare an annual report for the executive committee summarizing its results.
Updated 4/03