Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012, August 20, 2003, Page 14A, Image 14

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    ‘Great’ service helps students resolve conflicts
The Conflict Resolution Services
lets disputing parties interact
with each other in a program that
its supporters call ‘miraculous’
By A. Sho Ikeda
Reporter
It's 2 a m. and a student wakes up
from hearing someone loudly shout
ing in his residence hall. I Ie peeks out
his door to witness his neighbor
drunkenly stumbling around, yelling
obscenities. Other students open
doors, rub their eyes and poke their
heads out to see what the commotion
is. Angry at being rudely awakened,
the first student doses his door and
makes a mental note to talk to his res
ident assistant in the morning.
The above incident is one of many
that can occur during college, said An
nie Bentz, director of Conflict Resolu
tion Services. When a student com
plains about the actions of another
student, the offender must go through
a process where the transgression may
be resolved through a mediator, such
as a complex director, or through a
formal judicial process, which is simi
lar to a court trial.
The program focuses
less on punishment and
more on repairing harm
and enhancing a sense
of community. This
creates the opportunity
for people to care about
each other again."
Annie Bentz
Director of Conflict Resolution Services
I lowever, through cooperation be
tween the Student Judicial Affairs Pro
gram and Conflict Resolution Ser
vices, students will be able to choose
an alternative means of settling dis
putes beginning this fall.
Unlike the current student judicial
process where the offenders and
"harmed parties" are separated, the
Restorative Justice Program aims to
reconcile transgressions through a co
operative effort by all involved parties,
Bentz said.
The first step in the program is for
the offender to accept responsibility
for his or her behavior and the trou
ble he or she caused, Bentz said, as
well as have the opportunity to ex
plain the actions. The next step is for
all participants — the offender,
"harmed parties" and student facilita
tor involved with the program — to
create an appropriate way to redress
the harm done.
"The program focuses less on
punishment and more on repairing
harm and enhancing a sense of com
munity," Bentz said, adding that the
Restorative Justice Program allows
all sides of the incident to talk about
the situation and discuss how they
were affected.
"This creates the opportunity for
people to care about each other
again," Bentz said.
Bentz and Director of Student Ju
dicial Affairs Chris Loschiavo worked
together to create the Restorative Jus
tice Program at the University. Loschi
avo said he and Bentz were inspired to
create the program after learning of a
similar successful program at the Uni
versity of Colorado-Boulder.
"The difference between this pro
gram and the normal judicial process
we have now is that both sides get to
talk to each other," Loschiavo said.
Loschiavo said misunderstandings
can arise when students harm other
students accidentally, or when they
are drunk and aren't considerate to
ward other students' feelings.
"It can be very helpful and a relief to
find out that there was no malicious
Jessica Waters Emerald
Annie Bentz, director of Conflict Resolution Services, helps students resolve grievances outside the Student Judicial Affairs Program. Bentz
serves as a mediator in this process that focuses more on restoring community than on punishment.
ness behind an act” Loschiavo said.
One example where the program
could be implemented is a case of
vandalism in a neighborhood adja
cent to the University, explained Kary
Meier, office specialist for Conflict
Resolution Services. The owner of the
vandalized property and other neigh
borhood residents could talk to the
offenders and discuss how they were
affected by the crime, Meier ex
plained. The offenders could then ex
plain why they committed the van
dalism. Finally, the parties and
facilitators could come up with an ap
propriate way to resolve the harm,
such as having the offenders repair the
vandalized property.
Meier has already seen restorative
justice techniques at work in juvenile
justice programs in Eugene.
"I've seen miraculous changes hap
pen when there has been communica
tion between the offender and the peo
ple who were harmed," Meier said,
adding that she believed the program
would work well at the University.
"For the most part, everyone here
wants to learn and this makes it more
possible for people to leam from each
other," Meier said.
Both Bentz and Meier said they
hope to see more students become in
volved in the program as facilitators.
Bentz said she hopes to recruit stu
dent facilitators in the fall.
"This is a great opportunity for stu
dents to get involved with the pro
gram," Bentz said.
Contact the reporter
at shoikeda@dailyemerald.com.
Budget
continued from page 1A
"As unpalatable as raising taxes is
to most people, the benefits to higher
education would be better for stu
dents," Farr said.
The Senate's proposed budget
would enact a temporary income tax
surcharge, which Farr described as be
ing "very progressive." Families who
earned between $40,000 to $50,000
would pay a 3 percent surcharge —
about $7 — on their income taxes,
according to the Legislative Revenue
Office. Those who earned more than
$100,000 would pay about $370.
Families who earn less than $20,000,
on the other hand, would not have to
pay the surcharge.
Farr said the surcharge would be in
effect for three years. If an improve
ment is seen in the economy, the sur
charge would be eliminated, he added.
Farr said he believes the Senate's
budget proposal has a good chance
of passing both the Senate and the
House, but that it could be possible
for "anything to get derailed."
" 1 think that we're doing what's right
for Oregonians," Farr said. "Better edu
cation is beneficial for all Oregonians."
Contact the reporter
at shoikeda@dailyemerald.com.
COT A STORY IDEA?
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Horoscope by Linda C. Black
TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug 20) Hang
In there during a difficult phase.
You're learning about discipline. It's a
valuable skill to have. And besides, It
will help you learn to climb. By this
time next year, you can be much
higher than you are now.
To get the advantage, check the day's
rating: 10 is the easiest day. 0 the
most challenging.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) _ Today is
an 8 _ The first several things you try
may not work, but don't lose your
self-confidence. These are actually
positive steps toward achieving your
final goal.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) _ Today is
a 6 _ You're certainly stubborn, and
that’s a good thing, but your progress
seems to be slow. Remember, the
tortoise did win the race. You can get
what you want on your terms.
GEMINi (May 21-June 21) _ Today is
a 7 _ You're becoming more powerful,
but that also means you have to be
more disciplined. Don't get yourself
Into trouble by not realizing your own
strength.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) _ Today
is a 6 _ If anything can give you trou
ble now, expect that it will. Be alert
and flexible for the next couple of
days and all will turn out well _ or as
well as can be expected.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) _ Today is a 6
_ You're a much happier person when
you have an unlimited allowance. You
should be rich, and you can be, too,
once you learn not to waste money.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) _ Today is
a 5 _ Stay calm, even it everything
seems to get a tad confusing. You're
quick and smart, and you have a
good team on your side.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) _ Today is
a 7 _ When you expand your influ
ence, you get out of your comfort
zone. That means you encounter new
problems, er. challenges. Whoopee!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) _ Today
is a 5 _ A seemingly solid situation
may have been an illusion. Hold off
on a final decision until you see how
the next few days go.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec 21) _
Today is a 7 _ You wanted changes,
and you've sure got 'em, one right
after another. Luckily you love excite
ment. Get a partner to help.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) _
Today is a 6 _ As you know, money is
a concept It can be created and
destroyed. That’s why it's so impor
tant for you to focus on creativity.
Don't dwell in the past; learn from it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) _ Today
is a 6 _ Don't worry about a recent
purchase. If you didn't get the right
thing, you can always take it back. If
you did get the right thing, it's both
strong and comfortable, and you got
it at a good price
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20) _ Today
is a 6 _ You may feel as if you're run
ning into one barrier after another. If
that's the case, start watching where
you're going! Wake up!
—idk
095 PERSONALS
Looking for Argentinian and/or
Brazilian Individuals. Part-time
unique paid position 684-3908
At 344-0759, ROBIN is GRAD
SCHOOL APPROVED. 30-year the
sis/dissertation background. Term
papers. Full resume service. Editing.
Laser pr. ON CAMPUS!
115 GARAGE/MOVING SALES
Everything your mother would not
part with! Thurs., Fri., Sat. 8am-6pm
74214 London Rd. Cottage Grove
120 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
Be cool! Great air condtioner only
$65.00. 5,000 BTU, easy to carry,
fits in most windows. 342-2394
washer & dryer $100. iMAC 406
w/modem $300, Epson printer $100,
tables, chairs, & more. 870-0770
125 FURNITURE/APPLIANCES
New Orthopedic Queen Mattress
Set. Still in plastic w/manufacturer’s
warranty. Sacrifice $139. 501-6599
Class up your apartment. Low cost
furnishings. Chairs $6, chest of
drawers, lamps, bookshelves. Home
Redesign Studio 345-5470. 949
Pearl St.
125 FURNITURE/APPLIANCES
KING mattress set. Bargain @ $225.
NEW, still in package w/manufac
turer’s warranty. 501-6599
Mattress set, Full size, Brand
New, still in package. SELL for
$115. 501-6599
Beautifully comfortable Queen pil
low top bed w/frame Like new
$250. Christina, 461-5091.
Whirlpool large capacity washer &
dryer $50. each. Run excellent.
Some scratches. 687-9347
130 CARS/TRUCKS/CYCLES
86 Buick LeSabre. Must sell. Very
clean, excellent maintenance,
$1450/obo 338-7819
145 COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
Pentium 2, 366MhZ, CD-Rom,
Windows 98, complete system,
works perfectly! $250,915-0020
£UY£K B fWAJiS
The Oregon Daily Emerald assumes no
liability for ad content or response. Ads are
screened for illegal content and mail order
ads must provide a sample of item for sale.
Otherwise, ads that appear too good to be
true, probably are.
Respond at your own risk.
190 OPPORTUNITIES
COMPARE TEXTBOOK PRICES!
Search 24 bookstores with 1 click!
S&H and taxes calculated.
Telephone Survey Interviewer
Part-time. Evenings & weekends.
$8.50/hr. UO Survey Research Lab
oratory, 346-0820
Office Assistant: filing, answering
phones, making copies and process
ing orders. Familiarity with Greek or
ganizations helpful. M-F, flexible hrs,
between 8-5, (20 hrs/wk total), $7/9
hr. Please call 686-5100 or fax re
sume to 686-1789
Seeking responsible, experienced,
loving nanny for our 6-mo.-old
daughter weekdays in our home.
Call 461-6124 for interview.
Computer test- we
pay $25/hr. for our
technician to test our
education software on your comput
ers). The test takes about an hour.
Requirements: internet; Win
98/2000/XP or Mac OSX; 266 MHZ
or higher processor, email:
config_test@ lunarlogic.com
205 HELP WANTED
Want to make some money in the
parking lot at Autzen Stadium be
fore home games? Hand out Game
Day for the Oregon Daily Emerald!
We need people to work on 9/6 &
9/19. 2-hour shifts start 2.5 hours
before kick off. If you are interested
please stop by Suite 300 EMU and
complete an application today.
The Oregon Daily Emerald is an
equal opportunity employer commit
ted to a culturally diverse workplace.
Live-in personal caregiver for male
quadrapelegic UO student. Start
mid-Sept.. Private room plus pay.
Full or part time. 1-541-745-7203
Morning Person? Make some ex
tra cash.
Morning newspaper delivery person
needed to help with the Oregon Dai
ly Emerald Special Editions before
fall classes begin. If you are availa
ble to help us out by delivering
Game Days on 9/5, 9/19 & 9/26,
Back to the Books on 9/22 & 9/24
please stop by Suite 300 EMU &
complete an application today.
Morning delivery is from 6-8am. We
also need help assembling packets
all day on 9/22. Own reliable vehicle
& insurance required.
The Oregon Daily Emerald is an
equal opportunity employer commit
ted to a culturally diverse workplace.