Faculty sometimes use votes of no confidence as a tool of last resort to express opposition to a college administration. Unfortunately, however, such votes often have limited effect aside from further damaging relations between administrators and faculty. This article describes how a no-confidence vote was averted at Alfred State College (formally…

Typically, the literature on clergy burnout employs an individual model and describes the pastoral role from the perspective of multiple demands or offers prescriptions for recovery. Although some literature examines the systemic nature of clergy burnout, little attention is paid to the internal psychological dynamics surrounding social…

This paper examines a burgeoning network of organizations that is inventing new forms of community renewal and citizenship education. Their names vary--some call themselves public policy institutes, others centers for civic life--yet they share a common methodology, one aimed at tackling tough public issues, strengthening communities, and…

This presentation capitalizes on a three-year, longitudinal, school-randomized trial of the 4Rs Program, a comprehensive, school-based social-emotional and literacy program for elementary schools, to test intervention induced changes in features of classroom climate and key dimensions of teacher affective and pedagogical processes and practices…

The presence of a college or university in a community can greatly enrich the lives of long-term residents, intellectually, culturally, and financially. But students who live, work, and play in nearby neighborhoods can sometimes create enormous problems, putting a strain on campus and community relations and compromising the health and safety of…

This paper develops the rationale for the utilization of a special board of inquiry in complex labor-management disputes when collective bargaining breaks down. (Author)

An Elmira, New York, elementary school resolves its playground disputes by allowing students to settle most of their own disagreements with the help of upperelementary students trained as conflict managers. Adult supervisors stop fights and give disputants a choice: discuss the problem with the principal or the conflict managers. Kids invariably…

Some American schools are providing students with conflict resolution skills as part of their education. Three elementary and secondary school mediation programs in Hawaii, New York, and California that help youngsters solve their own problems are described. (RM)

Negotiation skills are essential in everyday life, whether in a professional or personal context. Negotiation enables two parties to address misunderstandings and avoid conflicts through an exchange that depends as much on the interpersonal skills of the negotiators as the tactics employed. Acquiring these skills requires not only sound conceptual…

The authors discuss the results of a study that identified the types of peer helping programs (mediation, tutoring, mentoring, leadership, education, counseling/listening and conflict resolution) in Western New York. (Contains 4 figures and 1 table.)

The Uniondale, New York School District and community believe that their character education program creates a safe and positive environment for their students. Through character education, they are increasing students' social competence and reducing students' aggressive behaviors. Their school district's goal is to build a district and school…

The Child Crisis Project on Buffalo's West Side was a demonstration opportunity financed for a three-year period by the Office of Child Development. The project was primarily a service delivery system designed to move into emergency situations and solve problems, so that the family could continue to function and provide child care. This report…

This New York State study evaluated problems encountered by children with handicapping conditions and their parents (N=1,486) in obtaining a free, appropriate public education. The majority (64 percent) of parents were satisfied with their child's educational program. Only 19 percent were dissatisfied. Parents of children with physical…

This study used conflict resolution role play vignettes and self-report surveys of 450 New York City 6th graders to examine associations between adolescents' conflict resolution efficacy and social skills. Vignettes covered 3 social contexts, conflict with a peer (disagreement over activities), with a parent (raise in allowance), and with a…

The ad hoc network of shelters and related services that has been developed in an effort to meet the most critical needs of the homeless population is staffed by a wide spectrum of professionals and volunteers. Many of these individuals lack easy access to information, training, or resource materials to help them with their social services work.…