Efficient: Sessions are held soon after initial contact with our office.

Confidential: Only the involved parties know the content of the case.

Empowering: The involved parties determine the resolution.

Effective: Problems are identified and addressed. Agreements are reached in about 80% of the cases.

Free: There is no charge for mediation services.

Convenient: All sessions are held on campus. Morning, night and weekend sessions are available.

Educational: Participants learn communication skills and ways to avoid future conflict.

Neutral: Peer mediators have been trained to maintain
neutrality and impartiality.

IU Peer Mediation Program

Information on:

The Mediation Process

Educational Programs

Mediator Training

Purpose

To promote peaceful and non-adversarial resolution of conflicts between IU students. To assist residence hall staff, student organizations, and the campus community in developing conflict resolution programming.

Mediation Sessions

Mediation is a process in which a third person, the mediator, acts to facilitate and assist in the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. The objective is to help disputants reach an informed and mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator assists the parties in identifying issues and exploring settlement options.

In our program, students are trained to co-mediate (with a trained staff member of Student Mediation Services) student to student disputes. Peer mediators will be assigned cases based on their availability. It is possible that it might take more than one session to resolve a conflict.

We can help you out if you are involved in a conflict with any of the following:

• Your on or off-campus roommate
• A classmate or other student
• A student group or organization
• Fellow members of a team or committee
• A "significant other"

Setting up a mediation session is simple.

Call or e-mail the Peer Mediation Program: We will explain mediation, answer your questions, and help you decide how to proceed. If mediation is not appropriate for your conflict, we will be happy to make referrals.

Meet the Coordinator: Mediation will work only if all parties are willing to participate, but you may wish to meet individually with the Coordinator before a joint session.

Begin Mediation: A peer mediator and a staff member will mediate the dispute. Mediators will provide a safe and fair environment for parties to present their point of view. Mediators will not make decisions, nor judge right or wrong. Outcomes will be mutually agreed upon by the disputing parties

Educational Programs

Peer mediators provide education about conflict resolution strategies and effective communication skills. Presentations can be tailored for specific audiences:

• classes
• residence halls
• fraternities & sororities
• student organizations
• student staff

Peer Mediator Training

Peer Mediators are undergraduate and graduate students who volunteer to resolve conflicts and provide educational programming to the IU community. Peer mediators are selected based on an application and interview process. They attend a two-day training program focused on the stages of the mediation process, effective communication and general conflict resolution skills. New peer mediators also enroll in a class "Peer Mediation of Campus Conflicts." The class sessions include topics varying from roommate conflicts to group disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I want mediation, but I don't feel comfortable approaching the other party. Can you help?
Yes. The mediator can approach other parties involved in the conflict on your behalf in order to set up a joint mediation session. The mediator can meet with you and the other party separately to explain mediation before any joint sessions.

2. How long will a session last?
Usually from 1-2 hours. In some situations it may take more than one session.

3. How do we come to an agreement that satisfies all parties?
All parties will have the opportunity to express their interests and the mediator will help them identify common ground, and assist them in writing the agreement to resolve the dispute.

4. What if there are more than two parties involved in the dispute?
The mediator can set up a mediation session for all involved parties. For example, we can even do mediations for a whole floor dispute.

5. What about follow-up?
The mediator can contact the parties to assess the implementation of the agreement. Follow-up sessions can be scheduled as needed.

Examples of the work we do

• Assist Residence Hall staff in dealing with roommate and multiple resident disputes
• Recommend conflict management strategies for student staff and organizations
• Facilitate large group mediation sessions for student staff and organizations
• Present role playing exercises highlighting conflict resolution techniques for student leadership programs.