Rosie Haney
For The Post
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Ohio University students may have an alternative way to resolve minor disputes thanks to a program Student Senate endorsed at its Wednesday meeting.
The new mediation program helps facilitate discussion between feuding students.
Senators hope mediation will slightly lighten the load for Judiciaries by two to three cases a quarter, said Student Senate President Robert Leary.
It's a change to how we approach conflicts
said Chris Wagner, senator for East Green. It has the advantage of addressing the underlying issues.
Students would mediate through Athens Area Mediation Services, The Ombudsman Office or a hearing officer.
The type of cases considered for mediation would include minor student-to-student disputes, while more serious offenses would go through Judiciaries, Leary said. He added that he hopes OU will become one of only a few schools to adopt mediation as part of the code of conduct.
The director of Judiciaries would review each case individually to determine if it could be mediated, and both parties must consent to participate, Wagner said.
Generally through mediation there's less recidivism he said.
Mediation is designed to target cases of simple disagreements between students, Leary said, adding that while only two to three cases a quarter can be resolved through mediation, those cases don't need to go as far as Judiciaries.
Some offenses aren't that bad
Leary said. They're not assault - they're not even drinking (cases). It's obvious that these problems can be better solved.
Mediation could be a beneficial tool for Resident Assistants as well. While RAs are able to mediate minor conflicts, they generally cannot intervene if parents get involved or students are unwilling to resolve conflicts without a neutral third party.
It could empower RAs to solve problems for their residents who don't necessarily feel comfortable talking to their RAs
said Liz Herron, Women's Affairs commissioner and an RA.
Wagner said if a problem is not resolved it would still go to Judiciaries. Repeat offenders would also likely go to Judiciaries, though he emphasizes mediation is aimed at cutting down repeat disagreements between roommates. Once mediation is complete a written agreement is created for the parties in disagreement.
In the end, Wagner said he thinks mediation is the best way to resolve some issues.
Those who take part in mediation find it to be a truly positive experience
he said.
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Tristan Navera
