Student Rights and Responsibilities
Our Office

Student Services Center, Room 180
530-898-6897
Fax: 530-898-3355
srr@csuchico.edu

Summer Office Hours
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday

Semester Office Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Mailing Address
Student Rights and Responsibilities
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929–0105

Adaptive Resolutions

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities provides Restorative Justice as a resolution for students going through the Student Conduct Process to address any harms, in addition to the existing student conduct adjudication process. The term "Restorative Justice" (RJ) in the context of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) refers to a set of principles and practices that prioritize repairing harm and reconciling interpersonal relationships.

We encourage all students to explore this page and to familiarize themselves with the principles of restorative justice. By doing so, we can work together to create a safer and more inclusive campus community where all students can thrive.

  • What Is Restorative Justice?

    The Restorative Justice process is a response to student behavior that causes harm to members of the Chico State community. RJ works in conjunction with the Student Conduct Process, and Executive Order 1098 (PDF) (PDF). This process can have varied outcomes, and is significantly different from the formal or informal resolutions reached through the normal adjudication process outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. 

    On college and university campuses, restorative conferencing can be used to address a range of issues including sexual assault, hate speech, academic dishonesty, and bias incidents. SRR invites and embraces the active participation of all parties involved in order to create meaningful and individualized agreements (Adaptable Resolution Agreements) that promote accountability and healing. The process typically involves a trained facilitator who guides participants through a series of structured conversations and exercises. Restorative Justice has been shown to reduce recidivism rates and increase victim satisfaction.

  • Restorative Justice in the Native American Communities
    Native American justice prioritizes healing, along with reintegrating individuals into their community. Native justice involves bringing together victims, offenders, and their supporters to resolve a problem. This parallels the philosophy and practice of the restorative justice movement. In the Native worldview, there is a deep connection between justice and spirituality; harmony and balance are essential to both.
    Referenced from:International Institute for Restorative Practices- Restorative Justcie Practices of Native American, First Nation and Other Indigenous People of North America (2023) Retrieved from https://www.iirp.edu/news/restorative-justice-practices-of-native-american-first-nation-and-other-indigenous-people-of-north-america-part-two(opens in new window)
  • Restorative Justice or Student Conduct Process?
    There are significant differences between the Restorative Justice Process and the Student Conduct Process as defined by Executive Order 1098 (PDF). 
    • The RJ process requires the explicit consent and participation of both the harmed party and the party who caused harm.
    • With the help of a trained RJ facilitator, an Adaptable Resolution Agreement is designed collaboratively between those who have been harmed and those who have caused harm.
    • The RJ process empowers both parties to identify the impacts of the harm caused, determine what needs to be done to meet the needs of the harmed party or parties, and establish a commitment to restoring relationships within the Chico State community.
  • What is a Restorative Circle?
    Restorative Circles bring individuals together to engage in dialogue and problem-solving in a safe and respectful environment. The process is designed to repair harm and build relationships by focusing on the needs of those involved. Restorative Circles typically involve a trained facilitator who guides participants through a series of structured conversations and exercises. Participants are encouraged to share their perspectives, feelings, and experiences related to the harm done, and to work together to identify ways to repair the harm done and prevent future harm. The process is intended to promote accountability, healing, and positive change, and has been used to address conflict in schools, workplaces, and communities.
     
  • How does a Restorative Circle work?

    At Chico State, a Restorative Circle consists of the following stages:

    1. Intake: SRR will meet with those requesting Restorative Justice.
    2. Pre-Conference: A Chico State Facilitator will meet individually with the people involved to learn more about individual needs and prepare for conferencing (circle).
    3. Conferencing: All participants will take part in conferencing (circle) and craft an Adaptive Resolution Agreement with actions that address the harm done.
    4. Post-Conference – SRR will track the agreement between all parties and support the completion of the Adaptive Resolution Agreement.

    It is important to note that although the Restorative Justice (RJ) process is designed to be flexible and suitable for addressing a variety of harms, there are certain allegations or policy violations that are not eligible for the RJ process.

  • What is a Talking Piece?
    A Talking Piece is an object that is passed around the circle of participants, acting as a moderation tool for the circle. The person holding the Talking Piece has the opportunity to talk while everyone else listens intently rather than formulating a response. The person holding the Talking Piece may choose to remain silent or pass the Talking Piece without speaking. There is no obligation to speak when the Talking Piece comes to you. The Talking Piece creates order in the discussion and allows for the expression of difficult emotions without the conversation being interrupted or hampered.
  • Our Trained Restorative Justice Facilitators
  • Adaptable Resolution Agreements
    Guided by Chico State Restorative Justice Facilitators, all involved parties shape an Adaptable Resolution Agreement to resolve the harm and impact of the incident that has occurred. SRR then provides further accountability for the party or parties in order to resolve the matter reported. The Facilitator has discretion in how best to conduct the process of shaping the agreement, including whether face-to-face interaction occurs, but does not have the authority to unilaterally impose preventative or corrective measures.