CRES Orientation

Katie D.

August 21, 2010 - 11:23 AM

Yesterday was my first day as a graduate student.

Classes start on Monday with a month-long introductory course on the philosophy of conflict with Professor Cheyney Ryan. Then, the last week of September, we begin with our full time courses. But yesterday was the first official day of the program: Cohort Six Orientation.

There are twenty-seven Conflict Resolution Masters students. We're the sixth full group to go through the degree program, therefore CRES Cohort Six. Yesterday we met at the UO law school, where the program is housed, met the other members of the cohort and our various professors, support staff, and directors of the program. We went through the schedule for fall term and the outline of the remaining year and a half. We discussed our internship requirement and the terminal projects.

We've started.

The other students in the program are incredible. It's an interesting combination of people who have already worked in mediation or conflict situations and those who have no previous experience. Some already know exactly how they will apply the skills learned, and some have no idea. There are only seven men in our group of twenty-seven, which is different from previous years, and our group is younger, on average, than the previous cohorts. Four of us are recent UO grads, and four more are from the Eugene area.

Going around the group to hear everyone's interests was the best thing we did yesterday. Conflict resolution is an interdisciplinary field, with influences from psychology, criminal justice, business, environmental studies, etc. People are interested in sport conflict resolution, in working with youth in legal trouble, in developing new mediation models for NGOs. Our group includes many travelers, and many who are interested in traveling again with these new skills. Some are interested in law school. Others have a wild look in their eye of infinite potential and absolutely no concrete plans.

The other amazing thing about the orientation was that every member of the faculty, staff, and administration was so incredibly helpful. These people want to make the experience comfortable, inspiring, and personalized for us. We have access to the Law Library, to tech support, and to a career services adviser who works solely for the CRES program. Someone came to talk with us from the financial aid office, and previous students came to share about scholarships and GTF positions. Two people presented about internships: one who is the support person for the program and will work with us in the selection and accreditation process, and Professor Shaul Cohen presented about internships available in Northern Ireland and Israel/Palestine.

This next two years are going to be a series of adventures.

Then, to finish the day, we had a dinner together at Professor Micheal Moffitt's house. My fellow students brought their partners and their children. We are a combination of newlyweds, heads of families, and young singles. Our meal together was wonderful and strange: the exciting process of getting to know a completely new group of people who we will be spending endless classroom hours with over the next year and more.

I'm so excited about this start. My cohort is great, and the professors are such wonderful and inspiring people. First day of class is Monday morning.

I'll be keeping you posted.