Restorative Practices at Haverford facilitates conversations about misunderstanding, conflict, and harm, and mediates harms or disputes in a restorative way.
That means that punishment is not part of our process. We organize and facilitate conversations—in the form of talking circles, community conferences, healing circles, and hybrids thereof—in order that all of us may be heard when we harm or are harmed, or perhaps are simply in need of some third-party facilitation.
The aim is to promote healing, accountability, and community building. We involve those most affected by harm in our work, and provide interruption-free spaces for communication, to emphasize both the inherent worth of each individual and what brings us together. A just and fair community lifts up its members’ voices.
Our Procedures
Restorative practices take time. We have prepared a short description of our procedures and a selection of the different kinds of conversation that the office will help facilitate. Our facilitators of these conversations are an equal collective of faculty, staff, and students.
Join the Conversation
In coming months, we will host talking circles and other events so interested parties can learn more about this initiative. We will also continue to train faculty, staff, and students to be facilitators. Email hc-restorative [at] haverford.edu if you would like to be part of that training.