NEW JOB CREATED FOR MEDIATION

Former Res Life Director Now Ombudsperson

Yeworkwha Belachew, former interim dean of residential life and services, assumed a newly designed administrative position, ombudsperson, that will allow her to mediate student conflicts and serve as an impartial advocate for student concerns.

Belachew resigned from her interim position in April as the College finalized its permanent appointment for dean of residential life . She was hired as ombudsperson on June 27.

"I am very exited and overwhelmed by the positive response from faculty, staff, students and administrators to this new service. I am nervous and at the same time honored to be at the center of such valuable program," said Belachew.

Belachewıs main responsibility will be to find constructive ways of solving conflicts. She will also develop a system of mediation, including peer mediation and training mediators.

Dean of Students Peter Goldsmith designed the position after a series of discussions with Belachew and College President Nancy Dye.

"Itıs a crying need that I think [Belachew] will fill in wonderful ways. Her role is not to intervene between students and others, but to place in the hands of students the tools that they need to resolve conflicts, to work their way through the bureaucracy ‹ to see that things go along more smoothly," said Goldsmith.

Belachew plans on aiding frustrated students and student groups who find themselves without a voice or simply frustrated by administrative red tape. Belachew said, "This is mainly a friendly office where I can help you move forward without banging your head on the wall."

The term "ombudsperson" is a variation of "ombudsman," which comes from Scandinavia during the 19th century. According to The Ombudsman Hand Book, this term applied to a public official appointed to investigate "complaints against government agencies. The purpose of the ombuds office is to assure that every voice in the organization can be heard and that every problem can be receive an impartial review."

While Belachew will be able to mediate in almost all student related conflicts, whether they involve administrators, departments, faculty, staff or other students, she will not mediate union conflicts. She will only be able to mediate a conflict if both parties agree to utilize her.

"I am limited to be an advocate for individuals, but Iıll be responsible in the advocacy of fairness to that particular issue," said Belachew.

The ombudsperson position will be administratively structured under College Relations, but Belachew will work independent of College Relations. Belachew will report to the president on a monthly basis.

Belachew said, "This position is a very independent position, and itıs also a mutual position."

Goldsmith echoed that sentiment. "[The ombudsperson is ] a highly independent person in the administration whose role it is to help people solve problems. And particularly in this case, the position, which is filled by YB, is intended to help Oberlin as a community, particularly Oberlin students, to find more constructive ways of resolving conflicts."

Belachew is no stranger to Oberlin with her 22 years of service to the College. A native of Ethiopia, she came to the United States in the 1970s and attended Bowling Green University. She came to Oberlin in 1978 with her now ex-husband and then stayed on in the now defunct hall director position. She became an assisstant dean of residential life in 1989, and then filled as an interim director of residential life the past two years.

Belachew believes that her biggest challenge will be making her office a postive entity. "Will I have as many good results as the number of complaints Iım going to have?" said Belachew, "This office is going to be a complaint office, but I am going to change it to a positive one."