Mediation is an informal, voluntary and confidential meeting where people in conflict work with a neutral, un-authoritarian third party to develop a solution that:
Mediation is an opportunity for people in conflict to talk directly about their situation. The mediator does not tell people whether they are right or wrong or what to do; it is up to the parties involved to decide what, if anything, to do about the circumstances.
Mediation is a confidential conversation that occurs among the participants and the mediator. The purpose of confidentiality is to encourage full sharing of information and creativity in option generation without fear that ideas or remarks will later be used against participants, and to increase the likelihood of resolution.
The mediator will not discuss what is said in mediation unless a participant believes he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment; discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, and sexual orientation, or if there is an express intent to commit physical harm to another. That information will be reported to the Division of Diversity, Access and Equity, or, in the case of a physical threat, to a designated official of the Campus Police.
Conflict is a normal part of working together, but it is stressful - it affects productivity and morale. Mediation provides opportunities for conflict to become a constructive, rather than a destructive, experience. Through fostering increased communication, sharing of perspectives and new insights, mediation can lead to creative options for resolution.
The University recognizes the benefits of mediation. By developing a campus mediation service, staff and faculty who are experiencing conflict will have access to an informal, voluntary process where they can work with a trained neutral mediator in a confidential environment. Conflicts can be addressed more quickly with participants shaping their own resolution rather than being dependent upon a third party to impose an outcome. These factors help enhance the University's work environment.
CMS commits to embracing diversity and developing sensitivity and understanding about differences among people on an ongoing basis. We uphold the definition of diversity as taking responsibility for owning our own personal biases. We extend that to specifically welcome all persons of varying race/ethnicity, disability, religion, creed, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender, and sexual orientation.
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