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Mediation Case Study: From Burnt Bridges to Good Neighbors: Transforming Off Campus Neighbor Relations Through Mediation and Dialog

Duncan, Bruce
June 4, 2015

Source: (2004) In David R. Karp and Thom Allena, eds., Restorative Justice on the College Campus: promoting student growth and responsibility, and reawakening the spirit of campus community. Springfield, Ill. : C.C. Thomas. Pp. 92-98.

Relations between a college and its off campus neighbors can sometimes be challenging, even tense or antagonistic. Mediating such relations is one way the University of Vermont’s Office of Conflict Resolution (OCR) and the Burlington (Vermont) Community Support Program (BCSP) have collaborated since 2000. An example of this collaboration can be seen with respect to issues between the university and Burlington concerning students living in non-campus housing in regular city neighborhoods. Using actual events from the mid 1990s, Duncan and Hadwen explain ways OCR and BCSP worked together to try to resolve the conflict between students, the students’ landlord, and neighbors in the community. They describe the perspectives of the parties involved, the referral and mediation process, and the outcome of the mediation.

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AbstractCourtsPolicePrisonsRestorative PracticesRJ and Community DisputesRJ and the WorkplaceRJ in SchoolsRJ OfficeTeachers and StudentsVictim Support
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