SIU-C GETS GRANT FOR MEDIATION IN COMMUNITY

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University's law school has won a $90,000 federal grant to mediate problems among Carbondale residents, elementary students and the disabled.

SIU will add about $166,000. The university was one of 65 colleges and universities to win money from President Clinton's "Learn and Serve America: Higher Education" program.

"We are hoping our law students, by being involved, will not only improve their mediation skills but will also begin to develop that sense of service to the community," said Suzanne Schmitz, coordinator the school's alternative dispute resolution project.

One part of the program will be in elementary and secondary schools, where students will be trained to mediate in cases involving peers. A second area will be development of a community conflict resolution center to handle problems like quarreling neighbors.