https://swchrs.ou.edu/Webinar-Series Parent Page: Webinar Series id: 34819 Active Page: Managing Civil Discourse id: 34838 Portal ID: 326
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Managing Civil Discourse

Build the skills. Lead with confidence.

Welcome to the SWCHRS Webinar Series

Learn with us – The SWCHRS Webinar Series offers a range of webinars that address critical topics in professional development, institutional effectiveness, and community engagement. These webinars feature expert speakers and provide practical strategies and insights for educational professionals. Each series consists of five parts and is offered each quarter. Each session is available on demand for a year. 

SWCHRS webinars include interactive sessions that encourage participant engagement and dialogue. These sessions provide opportunities for attendees to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with peers and experts in the field. 

Special Topic Webinars for 2026-2027

MCD_Professional Certificate Digital Badge Logo_Sample(Not Valid)For the 2026-2027 events, SWCHRS will be offering a credentialed five-part training on Managing Civil Discourse (MCD) in the fall. This structured, evidence-based series equips professionals in higher education with the skills necessary to navigate challenging discussions effectively. The training focuses on selecting the right conflict resolution model based on situational needs and applying proven techniques to maintain productive dialogue in professional and academic settings.

A digital micro-credential is available to participants who complete the full series requirements. Credential badge shown with watermark for display purposes only. Official badges are awarded upon completion.

These webinars will take place inside of the CVENT platform. Webinar links will be accessed inside of the registrant's Attendee Hub account.  

Recordings of webinars can be accessed for up to a year, but credential will not be provided for viewing recordings.

Webinars will occur on Tuesdays at 2-4 PM Central Time from November 3, 2026, through December 8, 2026.

Managing Civil Discourse program schedule: 

  • November 3: Crucial Conversations Model - Handling High Stakes Discussions
  • November 10: Nonviolent Communication (NVC) - Managing Emotionally Charged Conflicts
  • November 17: 4Rs Method - Resolving Institutional Governance Conflicts)
  • December 1: Interest Based Relational (IBR) Model - Negotiating Workplace and Institutional Agreements
  • December 8: DESC Script - Providing Direct Feedback and Advocating for Change

Managing Civil Discourse – A Five-Part Training Series

Crucial Conversations Model – Handling High-Stakes Discussions

This session introduces the Crucial Conversations Model, designed for managing high-stakes conversations where emotions run high. Participants will learn how to establish psychological safety, focus on mutual purpose, and use de-escalation techniques to keep discussions constructive. Applications include faculty hiring and tenure decisions, student protests, policy debates, budget allocations, and crisis response discussions.

Interest-Based Relational (IBR) Model – Negotiating Workplace and Institutional Agreements

This session focuses on the Interest-Based Relational (IBR) Model, which is widely used in negotiations, workplace conflict resolution, and institutional decision-making. Participants will learn strategies for balancing stakeholder priorities and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in areas such as faculty workload distribution, research funding, donor agreements, and collective bargaining.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) – Managing Emotionally Charged Conflicts

This session explores the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Model, which is effective for addressing conflicts with strong emotional components. Participants will learn the four NVC components—Observation, Feeling, Need, Request—and apply them to faculty-student conflicts, discrimination complaints, restorative justice conversations, and addressing microaggressions in educational settings.

4Rs Method – Resolving Institutional and Governance Conflicts

The 4Rs Method (Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, Resolve) is introduced as a structured approach to addressing conflicts between faculty and administration, governance disputes, and policy enforcement challenges. This session focuses on recognizing the root causes of conflicts, fostering institutional reflection, reframing issues as opportunities for improvement, and collaboratively resolving disputes.

DESC Script – Providing Direct Feedback and Advocating for Change

The DESC Script (Describe, Express, Specify, Consequence) model is introduced as a structured method for giving direct feedback and advocating for institutional change. Participants will learn how to apply this model in faculty performance evaluations, policy recommendations, communication breakdowns, and student conduct discussions. This session emphasizes clarity, accountability, and effective advocacy techniques.

Interactive

Each session is interactive, research-backed, and designed for immediate application. All sessions will be available on demand for a year, allowing participants to revisit and reinforce their learning as needed. Participants who complete the full series will be eligible to receive a virtual micro-credential, for an additional add-on.

FAQs

When and how do I get my digital badge?

Participants must attend all five, live sessions and complete the evaluation at the end of the series. Once the evaluation is submitted, staff will record participant attendance and award the Digital Badge, through a download link provide by email. 

Please note: The survey of the series and the evaluation are different. The survey asks for feedback on the series, while the evaluation tests the content learned in the sessions. Participants have 14 days from end of the series to submit the evaluation.  

How long do I have to complete the evaluation and earn my digital badge?

Participants have 14 days from end of the series to submit the evaluation. 

Do you have a registration policy/discount?

Groups of 10 or more registered within a single transaction will receive a 10% discount on eligible registrations. Additional participants cannot be added to a previously completed transaction to meet the 10-person minimum or receive the group discount.

OU faculty and staff receive a 10% discount. OU employees should email swchrs@ou.edu to request the discount code. 

How long will I have access to a course?

Participants retain access to the recorded session for one full year from the date of purchase or registration, which allows them to revisit the content.

If I can't attend a session, can I transfer it to someone else?

No. The individual sessions are not available for purchase or transfer, only the event registration as a whole (the full series, five sessions).

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Contact Us

Have questions or need more information? Reach out to us at swchrs@ou.edu.