The purpose of this paper is to describe a learning model based on "Storytelling" and its application in the context of legal education helping build challenging training resources that explain, to common citizens with little or no background about legal topics, concepts related to "Legal Mediation" in general and in specific…

This discussion of potential uses of mediation as a management and communication tool focuses on the library setting. The nature of conflict is considered, and the concept, basic principles, and applications of mediation as a form of conflict resolution are presented. The four steps in the mediation process are then described: (1) Introduction,…

The divorce explosion has placed a substantial burden on the judicial system of the United States. About 10 percent of divorce cases involve child custody battles. The adversarial legal process may be contrary to the children's best interest. Custody mediation has been used as an alternative to court litigation. California law requires an attempt…

The paper examines the issues and process involved in mediation of special education disputes. Mediation is an informal, optional procedure that may save time, money, and emotional strain for both staff and parents. Issues should not be mediated if there is no willingness to accept the mediation decision. Mediation should begin after all efforts…

Collective bargaining with faculty is a relatively recent phenomenon that has spread from only five campuses in 1966 to approximately 388 at the close of the 1974 academic year. This speech begins by citing some facts about the current status and growth of faculty bargaining. The paper then outlines briefly the three major bargaining philosophies…

As part of an ongoing study of The Mediation Project at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst a mediation process was observed and recorded, followed by a group interview including both disputants and mediators. The two disputants had lived together for two years and had made several purchases together. They participated in the mediation…

A study evaluated the beginnings of the Minnesota Press Council in 1971, particularly the thinking of those involved in the earliest stages of the formation of the council. Oral history interviews with two people involved in the establishment of the council were supplemented with minutes of meetings and compared to an earlier study of the council…

The growth of collective bargaining in higher education has been rapid, but the accelerating interest and commitment has not been uniform. The purpose of this study is to provide an initial understanding of the dynamics and consequences of collective bargaining at one institution, The State University College at Cortland, New York. The personal…

This paper proposes a systematic model for objectively structuring the information exchanged between the bargainers in either the mediation or conciliation processes. The model is intended to be useful to mediators in organizing proposals to use with bargainers. The authors examine possibilities for an educational organization that uses…

In 1947 Nebraska established a unique Court of Industrial Relations to resolve disputes between government agencies and public employees. The court's five part-time judges are appointed by the governor to six-year terms, and the court's operating costs are covered in the state budget. Even so, costs to litigants may be higher than necessary. The…

The ombudsman, often defined as a kind of inspector general, is usually empowered to: (1) investigate in confidence, without restraint, either upon receipt of a complaint or on the ombudsman's initiative; (2) recommend to any official appropriate review of the facts; and (3) publicize findings or publicly criticize malfeasance. Various…

Due process hearing decisions (N=116) heard in 1981-82 by the New Jersey Department of Education and in 1982-83 by the Office of Administrative Law in the New Jersey Department of State were compared in terms of four variables: (1) petitioner-respondent, (2) issue(s), (3) representation, and (4) which party prevailed. Chi-square analyses revealed…

The research reported here, on teacher contract negotiations, was conducted in response to the observation that teachers' bargaining agents are frequently uncertain about the aspirations, goals, and commitments of those they represent. It describes a short questionnaire that may be used in teacher contract negotiations to assess what the…

A grievance is a complaint by an employee of an alleged violation of any of the terms and conditions of an agreement between an employer and its employees. It must be in writing, use a particular form, and be processed in accordance with a specific procedure. A grievance procedure should be kept as simple as possible, include provision for…

This speech chronicles the history of the teachers' strike in Faribault, Minnesota--the longest teachers' strike in the state's history. After the breakdown of collective bargaining, the school board refused to submit to arbitration by the state's Bureau of Mediation Services. Then the teachers voted to walk out. The Faribault schools were closed,…