The idea of restorative justice has deep historical roots, drawing from traditional practices found in cultures worldwide, including some religious and spiritual frameworks. At its core, it shifts the focus from mere punishment to practical steps that address harm and promote personal accountability, encouraging offenders to take ownership of their actions and their consequences.

In the United States, restorative justice gained traction in the 1970s as an alternative to the conventional retributive justice system, which often prioritized punishment over results. As communities saw limited success with punitive approaches, some turned to older, time-tested methods like restorative justice to emphasize responsibility and resolution over endless cycles of penalty.

Grand Valley State University implemented a restorative justice approach to student conduct in January 2021. Under this model, students who violate community standards must recommit to being productive members of the Laker community by engaging with educational resources and taking concrete steps toward improvement. The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) works directly with both affected and offending parties to identify effective solutions tailored to each case. Through tools like restorative discussions, workshops, and personal reflection, we aim to strengthen the campus experience by equipping students to handle conflict responsibly.

While this approach draws on historical practices, OSCCR acknowledges the local context of Grand Valley State University, situated on land once home to the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodawademi peoples, known as the People of the Three Fires. We note this history as a point of respect for the region’s past and its original inhabitants, focusing our efforts on fostering a campus environment where personal responsibility and practical outcomes take precedence.

"Restorative justice is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in the specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible."

- Howard Zehr, The Little Book of Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is not punitive, and in this, it allows for people to make mistakes, learn from them, and still feel they are a valuable member of their community.

Restorative Justice:

• Is more like mediation
• Is people-centered
• Identifies harm
• Invites participation
• Is balanced between the harmed party and the offender
• Can actually strengthen the community following an incident

WHEREAS

Retributive (Punitive) Justice:

• Is more like the traditional criminal justice system
• Is procedure-centered
• Identifies a law or rule violation
• Limits participation
• Is offender-focused
• Often leaves residual trauma from incidents in the community