Mediation is a voluntary, private conversation in which a trained professional, serving impartially, helps people talk about their dispute and explore mutually acceptable solutions.
While many people tend to associate mediation with very entrenched conflict or with formal grievances or litigation, proactive institutions are beginning to understand that mediation can serve a purpose before disputes get entrenched and escalated. Here are a few ways I’ve assisted higher ed institutions over the past two decades, first as a dean, then as a mediator and consultant:
- Staff-to-staff and faculty-to-faculty disputes
- Student-to-student disputes, including roommate and Greek life conflict
- Student-faculty disputes
- Inter-departmental disputes
- College-community (“town-gown”) difficulties
- Committee member conflict
- Senior cabinet conflict
Some institutions have also begun to use facilitated dialogue to work through large-group conflicts, including:
- Conflict arising out of organizational change
- Conflict between faculty and administrative units
- Differences between governing boards and senior leadership
- Governing board internal conflict
It’s not just about peer mediation anymore,
Copyright © 1999 by Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved.
