Stepping Stones
Project Proposal - Fall 1998
The University of Central Florida's Dispute Resolution Services is implementing a new program designed to reach out to high school students and make them aware of UCF's mediation program. The program, entitled "Stepping Stones", has two main purposes. The first is to make future UCF students aware of DRS as a free mediation service available to them once they enroll. The second is to recruit future UCF students who are interested in becoming involved as volunteer mediators at DRS. Many of these students will already have experience in mediation through their high school peer mediation programs.
The two main schools that DRS "Stepping Stones" will reach are in the general UCF area - Lake Howell High School in Winter Park and Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary. DRS will be in contact with the high school students through presentations and visits to their high school peer mediation programs as well as arranging visits for interested students to the UCF DRS office. DRS will also keep in constant contact with the advisors of the peer mediation programs regarding their progress and our developments.
"Stepping Stones" will make the local area high school students aware that their frequently used mediation programs are also available at the university level. First year college students are more likely to experience conflict as they make the difficult transition from high school to college. Therefore, being aware of this service ahead of time will facilitate this transition and make their first year of college more peaceful and enjoyable.
