What is the difference between the ombuds office and the mediation program?
The mediation program is a specialty service that offers assistance with a specific part of the dispute resolution process. Once two or more disputing parties agree to participate in a dispute resolution process and the parties can describe the disputed issues, mediation is a good option. The Ombuds Office, on the other hand, has a broader scope. An ombuds can help a person surface a concern. An ombuds can coach one person about how to individually respond to a dispute. With the visitor’s permission and at the ombuds’ discretion, the ombuds may talk to decision-makers and/or gather information. (The mediator is generally bound to the information or people in the mediation room). An ombuds can use shuttle diplomacy to help two or more individuals at least agree to participate in mediation or facilitation. The difference between informal facilitation and mediation is the level of formality. Mediation can be a more structured process than facilitation, especially in mediation programs out
