Mission
The Restorative Practices unit within the Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices guides individuals, organizations, and groups through intentional processes centered on community-building and conflict resolution by promoting empathy, accountability, and community well-being.
Restorative Practices at JMU
Restorative Practices is derived from the larger theoretical framework of Restorative Justice. The philosophy behind Restorative Justice considers the importance of harms created during a conflict or violation, the needs of those impacted by the conflict, the obligations of the individual(s) who created the harm, and the engagement from community members who might be directly or indirectly affected by the harm. At JMU, OSARP uses Restorative Practices to address instances of conflict that arise in the community, but these practices may not always align with traditional Restorative Justice approaches.
Restorative Practices offer participants the opportunity to take active accountability for their actions and work within the JMU, City of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, or other communities to collaboratively address any harm created. This approach emphasizes community well-being and empowers participants to repair the harm that has occurred.
Beneath the umbrella of Restorative Practices are a variety of Restorative Processes offered by OSARP. Restorative Practices can be requested by students, faculty/staff, recognized student organizations, student groups, community members, JMU Police, Harrisonburg Police Department, external entities, or be required as a result of an OSARP process or other university or external conduct process.
For more details on Restorative Practices at JMU, visit the Restorative Practices section of the JMU Student Handbook.
Restorative Practices Frequently Asked Questions
Restorative Practices are derived from the larger theoretical framework of Restorative Justice. The philosophy behind Restorative Justice considers the importance of harms created during a conflict/incident, the needs of those impacted by the conflict/incident, the obligations of the individual(s) who created the harm, and engagement from community members who might be directly or indirectly affected by the harm. At JMU, OSARP uses Restorative Practices proactively to build community and strengthen relationships, and reactively to address instances of conflict/harm that arise in the community. These practices may not always align with traditional Restorative Justice approaches.
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Strengthen community through relationship building
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Assist student organizations, clubs, and groups in setting expectations and creating a positive culture
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Support students in developing and strengthening communication and conflict resolution skills
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Improve sense of belonging
Reactive Restorative Practices can:
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Address harms created during a conflict or incident
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Address the needs of those impacted during a conflict/incident
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Address the obligations of the person (or people) who created harm
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Engage community members impacted by the ripple effects of harm
OSARP can help student organizations, clubs, and groups build community, establish shared values, set expectations, create a positive culture, and address conflict.
A Circle Process is “a structured process for organizing effective group communication, relationship building, decision-making, and conflict resolution,” as defined by Carolyn Boyes-Watson and Kay Pranis in Heart of Hope (2010, p. 29). This approach creates a respectful and welcoming space where participants sit in a physical circle and use a talking piece passed from person to person, allowing everyone the opportunity to speak and be heard. Circles are guided by shared values and agreed-upon guidelines, and they focus dialogue on a specific topic or issue. This method fosters trust, mutual understanding, and collaborative problem-solving within groups.
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OSARP may use Restorative Circles as a required outcome of an OSARP process or other university or external conduct process. This typically occurs when a student, recognized student organization, and/or student group participated in an action that created, or had the potential to create, harm for the community. Required Restorative Circles typically focus on a specific topic. OSARP also uses Restorative Circles to resolve conflict through voluntary participation. To learn more, visit the Restorative Practices section of the JMU Student Handbook.
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OSARP may use Circle Processes as a proactive approach to build community, establish shared values, set expectations, and create a positive culture. To request a facilitated Circle Process email osarp-restorativepractices@jmu.edu.
Email osarp-restorativepractices@jmu.edu or visit the "Contact Our Office" page to make a referral. For more details on Restorative Practices at JMU, visit the Restorative Practices section of the JMU Student Handbook.
Yes, OSARP offers Restorative Practices presentations, training, and workshops. For more information, please email osarp-restorativepractices@jmu.edu.
Yes, OSARP can facilitate proactive Circle Processes to help organizations, clubs, and groups build community, set expectations, create a positive culture, improve communication and conflict resolution skills, and improve sense of belonging. For more information, please email osarp-restorativepractices@jmu.edu.
Contact Information
Email us at osarp-restorativepractices@jmu.edu or visit the "Contact Our Office" page to make a referral, request a training, or to volunteer.
