The Mediation Program, offered through the Dean of Students Office, serves to help Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff resolve disputes. Funded through student fees, the Mediation Program provides trained mediators to help individuals in conflict discuss their issues and identify possible solutions to resolve conflict.

Mediators are volunteer Illinois State students, faculty, and staff who have completed intensive training in mediation and practice by nationally recognized experts in higher education. Mediators maintain the highest level of privacy.

The Mediation Program has helped many individuals resolve their differences. In addition to solving the conflict, participants receive:

Quality solutions – The Mediation Program works to provide a win-win outcome for all involved.
Immediate assistance – Sessions are scheduled promptly (usually within three days of the request).
Privacy – Everything said in a mediation session remains private.
Free service – The Mediation Program is funded through student fees
Peace of mind – Mediation helps to preserve important relationships and ends conflict peacefully. It serves to eliminate the issues and the uncomfortable situations they bring by providing effective conflict resolution.

The Mediation Process

Mediation involves three steps:

Intake – Individuals interested in mediation contact Community Rights & Responsibilities for assistance. A mediator is assigned to the case and discusses the situation with both parties to ensure the conflict is suitable for mediation and that all are voluntary participants in the process.
Mediation Session – The mediator will hear the case, allowing both parties to voice their perspectives on the dispute. The mediator will work with parties to help identify the main issues and will help each person determine possible options for resolving the dispute.
Agreement & Follow-up – The mediator will help disputants develop a full or partial agreement based upon discussion in the mediation session. Afterwards, a staff member will contact the disputants to follow up on their progress.

Common Mediation Situations

For Students:

Roommate disputes
Coworker disputes
Disputes with neighbors
Disputes with an organization
Financial disputes, including rent and utilities
Academic disputes
Interpersonal disputes with faculty/staff members

For Faculty/Staff:

Resolution of department/coworker disputes
Division of responsibilities
Staff expectations and/or performance
Disputes with students, including grades, interpersonal, and performance expectations