Restorative Practices

Join the movement for positive change at Tulane University with Restorative Practices at TU! We are dedicated to fostering a stronger community and shifting our culture toward restoration and healing.

The Office of Human Resources & Institutional Equity, in collaboration with Student Affairs, is thrilled to introduce Restorative Practices as part of Tulane's Strategy for Tomorrow.

 

Restorative Practices

Improving Relationships and Resolving Conflict: Exploring Restorative Practices

Restorative practices encompass a range of tools and processes aimed at fostering, encouraging, and repairing relationships. In essence, they provide a framework for cooperation, improved communication, taking responsibility, and resolving conflicts in a way that benefits the entire community.

The primary goal of restorative practices is to develop a strong sense of community while effectively managing conflict and tensions. Inspired by the restorative justice philosophy, this interdisciplinary field recognizes the fundamental importance of relationships in fostering learning, growth, and a healthy community.


Unlocking Knowledge and Skills: Discover What You'll Gain from Our Training

Immerse yourself in transformative learning experiences led by the esteemed experts at the Center for Restorative Approaches (CRA). Our highly trained facilitators are dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and skills to build a strong community, foster inclusivity, and facilitate collaborative decision-making.

During our trainings, you will:

 

Ten Principles for Living Restoratively

Inspired by the wisdom of Howard Zehr, often referred to as "the grandfather of restorative justice" and founder of the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, we present ten guiding principles for embracing a restorative way of life:

  1. Recognize the profound interconnectedness of all beings, including people, institutions, and the environment, and honor the inherent value of these relationships.
  2. Cultivate awareness of the potential impact, both positive and negative, that your actions may have on others and the environment.
  3. Acknowledge and take responsibility for any harm caused by your actions, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths and seeking to repair the harm.
  4. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of your expectations or judgments, including those who may have harmed or offended you or others.
  5. Strive to involve those affected by a decision in the decision-making process, recognizing the importance of their perspectives and experiences.
  6. View conflicts and harms as opportunities for growth, learning, and transformative change.
  7. Engage in deep and compassionate listening, seeking to understand others even when you disagree, valuing empathy and connection over being right.
  8. Courageously engage in dialogue with others, even in challenging circumstances, remaining open to learning from their perspectives and the shared experience.
  9. Be mindful about imposing your own "truths" and views on others, respecting diverse perspectives and promoting dialogue and understanding.
  10. Sensitively confront everyday injustices such as sexism, racism, and classism, taking a stand against systemic biases and advocating for equality and justice.

 

How Restorative Are You? Take the Quiz Now.

Questions? Please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at restorativepractices@tulane.edu for more info.