Dialogue
Center Available
To
the Editors:
On
behalf of the Oberlin College Dialogue Center, I want to welcome
you to a new resource we hope you might utilize in your coming months
and years in Oberlin. In Spring 2001, based on extensive input from
the campus community, a design team comprised of students, faculty
and staff issued a series of recommendations: the result was the
formation of a blueprint for a community-oriented dialogue facilitation
group.
The central aim of the Oberlin College Dialogue Center (a.k.a. the
Dialogue Center, OCDC, or as we sometimes say, ACDC with an O) is
to provide accessible mediation services to the community, in such
a way that each participant is empowered to have an equal voice
in the process. By mediation, we mean a neutral forum
in which two parties in disagreement come together to discuss issues
with the assistance of impartial third-party mediators. The word
assistance may lead many of you to say how much?! Mediation
is premised upon the idea that, as mediators, we have no personal
investment in a given situation, although we do have an invested
interest in helping each person achieve a satisfying conclusion
to conflict. Therefore, it is up to the parties themselves to decide
what issues are discussed and what the agreement will ultimately
look like: while it is the mediators responsibility to facilitate
dialogue, we do not act in the manner of a judge or jury, issuing
verdicts or giving advice. Also, it is important to note that each
mediation session is held in strict confidentiality, unless a mediator
is required by law to divulge information (e.g. a crime has been
committed) or in situations demanding our coordinators immediate
attention.
Requesting a mediation session is easy: just call up the Ombudsperson
and OCDCs coordinator, Yeworkwha Belachew (a.k.a. YB) and
tell her your concern, whether it be seemingly mundane (stop
using my toothpaste when Im not around!) or a bit more
serious. YB will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding
the mediation process, should you give mediation a shot. Currently,
OCDC has 25 trained mediators on hand, made up of students, faculty
and administrators all underwent an intensive summer training
and come from a diverse background. She will do her best to tailor
the mediators in line with your needs, in the way that makes you
feel as comfortable as possible before you come into the mediation
session.
I would like to emphasize that, on behalf of the OCDC team, and
based on the recommendations of the design team and the interest
of the community, we are committed to bringing open civil discourse
to campus, with great care and sensitivity paid to each individual.
If interested in mediation, or want to offer comments, suggestions,
or ideas, please dont hesitate to contact YB at the Office
of the Ombudsperson, x6728 or yeworkwha.belachew@oberlin.edu. Thanks
for reading, and may your semester be as conflict-free as possible.
Noah
Pollaczek
Member of OCDC
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