Welcome to the Boston College Restorative Practices Initiative. This is a campus-wide collaborative effort to incorporate restorative philosophies and practices into the Boston College community. Restorative practices promote the creation of spaces of trust and respect with members of the campus community coming together for difficult conversations, deep listening and restorative dialogue around community and conflict.
In building a stronger community where relationships are formed and maintained, we also use the principles and practices of Restorative Justice to address the repercussions and obligations created by harm. When harm or conflict arises, Restorative Justice engages participants in transformational processes that address the needs of all who are affected. These processes emphasize accountability, humanity and community.
Overall, this initiative was created to connect current restorative practices at Boston College, provide new opportunities for training and learning, build community connections, improve the campus climate, and promote self-advocacy and conflict resolution skills.
Read more about Restorative Justice via this Heights Article and listen to the Center for Student Wellness Podcast episode.
What are Restorative Practices?
Additional restorative practices information provided by the International Institute for Restorative Practices. For additional restorative practices information by the International Institute for Restorative Practices email us at restorativepractices@bc.edu.
How Can We Help You?
Interested in Restorative Practices Training?
Let us know by filling out this form.
If you’d like to keep up to date on additional information and future trainings, sign-up for the Restorative Practices newsletter.
Come visit our Restorative Practices Library in Maloney 448. View a listing of resources here.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or want to learn more, at restorativepractices@bc.edu.
Learn More About the Circle Up Program
The Circle Up program engages the Boston College community in Restorative Practices. Restorative Practices include a spectrum of proactive and reactive approaches that have been adapted from Indigenous circle practices and are aimed at preventing and addressing conflict within communities. Proactively, they include practices that improve social connections and relationships. Reactively, they address instances of conflict or harm, by centering the needs of impacted parties. The Circle Up program equips students with the skills to successfully facilitate community building and community concern circles, in addition to supporting other students through Restorative Conferences that occur after incidents of harm.