Mediation program

Bluffton University is partnering with Janet Mitchell, a mediator with 21 years of experience. This is a mediation program grounded in the values of transformative mediation which will provide mediators and mediation training for a variety of disputes. 

Bluffton University has long believed in promoting the principles of restorative justice, peacemaking and service. 

What are transformative mediation and restorative justice?

 Mediation works to create an atmosphere where conflict can be transformed. Mediation participants report feeling empowered by the process, and are clearer about the other participants' views. With the co-mediators' help, participants can collaborate to find agreements that all of them can accept.

A restorative justice approach can be contrasted with retributive justice, which is based on an "eye for an eye-and a tooth for a tooth." Instead, restorative justice principles are focused on the community needs for dealing with harm, even criminal acts. Since victims and the community are in need of restoration, the offender can choose "to make things right as much as possible." Restorative justice works to heal and  "put right the wrongs." Mediation works to address the offender's needs, the victim's needs and the harm done to the community.  Restorative justice is mindful of positive outcomes. Howard Zehr & Harry Mika, Contemporary Justice Review Volume 1, #1, 1998, pages 47-55.

 
 
Are you in conflict?

Bluffton University's Mediation Program may be able to help you. We follow the principles of restorative justice and work to transform conflict. If you are in a dispute, let us know!

Things people disagree on:

  • neighborhood disputes over problems like arguing, property boundaries, barking dogs, noise or parking
  • roommate disputes
  • disputes between friends or family members, including teen/parent
  • disagreements and making decisions about aging parents
  • business/customers, workplace and co-worker disputes
  • disputes between patients and their health care providers
  • congregational and group conflict
  • housing disputes, such as landlord/tenant and foreclosure
  • students with truancy problems
  • victim/offender disputes 

If I want to mediate, what are the steps?

  1. E-mail mitchellj@bluffton.edu or call Janet Mitchell at 419-358-3068
  2. The mediation coordinator will inquire if the others are willing to participate. Mediation is confidential.
  3. If all parties agree to mediate, the mediation coordinator will talk to them ahead of time and explain the mediation process.
  4. A convenient time will be set up for a meeting with the participants, their support persons and the co-mediators.
  5. The co-mediators will record and follow up on any agreements that are reached.
Mediation Coordinator Janet Mitchell
Mediation Coordinator Janet Mitchell

 

Want to learn more about the program?

Bluffton University’s web site has information about the program online at http://www.bluffton.edu/rel/pcs/ or call 419.358.3068 to reach the mediation coordinator.

Web site: www.JanetMitchellMediator.com
contact: mitchellj@bluffton.edu

Mediation training fall 2006
Mediation training fall 2006

Part of this program includes utilizing Bluffton University resources, including students and faculty that have been through mediation training. Since the fall of 2006 more than four training weekends have been held, led by Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz (director of MCC's Office on Crime and Justice) and Barb Toews (director of Restorative Justice Programs in the Pennsylvania Prison Society).

Does mediation work?

Mediation works! Mediation programs are flourishing all across the nation. This new Bluffton program has already successfully helped in truancy, neighbor disagreements and victim/juvenile offender disputes. The mediation process includes the participants in conflict, as well as the mediation coordinator and a co-mediator (trained student, staff or faculty). The co-mediators serve as neutral third parties to help the participants move toward agreement.

Who will benefit from the Mediation Program?

  • People who are fighting
  • Families who want to get along better
  • Businesses and customers who want to work out disagreements
  • Patients and their health care providers who cannot agree
  • Neighbors who want to get along better
  • Church members who are distracted by conflict
  • Tenants and homeowners with financial trouble, along with their landlords and mortgage holders
  • Victims of crime and offenders who would like to try and make it right for their victims

Below are a couple of links from media outlets concerning the start of the mediation program.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/NEWS21/804160441
http://www.acrnet.org/publications/ACRUpdate79.htm

Below is a link from NPR concerning the Elder Mediation program Janet Mitchell is heavily involved with.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102972077