Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process provided by the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity for faculty and administrators who are interested in managing or resolving conflict. It is a process in which individuals strive to find mutually satisfactory management or resolution of their dispute. A dispute can be a disagreement, difference of opinion, conflict of opinion, or conflict. Volunteer mediators help the disputants engage in dialogue and, if they choose, reach a written memorandum of understanding. The mediator skill set includes managing strong emotions, moving from positions to interests and needs, finding common ground, active listening, conflict resolution, creativity, and using a guided process for mediation.

Faculty and administrators are not always best equipped in knowing how to frame and manage conflict. Conflict is defined as "a struggle or contest between people with opposing ideas, needs, values, beliefs, or goals. Conflict arises when the needs or interests of one person are perceived by that person as being denied to them by another. Conflict exists even if only one person perceives it" (Center for Change and Conflict Resolution, 2002, p. 2). The nature and origin of conflicts can be based on relationships, data, interests, values, and the environment.

Leaders spend over 40% of their workday managing and resolving conflict. Conflict exists in many institutions of higher education. Texas A&M University is no exception. Many individuals would be hard pressed to deny that they have encountered some level of conflict in their personal and/or professional lives. A commonly held assumption and image is that conflict is a negative force. In fact, many people work to ignore or avoid conflict. However, research has shown that conflict can lead to positive outcomes when it is assessed and managed well (Center for Change and Conflict Resolution, 2002). It is our hope that mediation services can serve as a method to resolve conflicts when they occur. Conflict, when it occurs, if framed and managed well, can enhance understanding, foster creativity, increase workplace productivity, and improve working relationships.

To initiate mediation for yourself or to refer parties for mediation, please contact Dr. Clare Gill in the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity at: clare-gill@tamu.edu or 979-458-2905.

The Employee Assistance Program offers services for all employees who are interested in resolving conflict through facilitated dialogue.

Students have existing access to mediation (for student on student conflict) through Student Conflict Resolution Services (SCRS) located in the Offices of the Dean of Student Life. SCRS is supported by student fees and houses Student Legal Services, Student Mediation Services, and Student Conduct. Disputes between students are routed through SCRS for triaging to determine which of the services and processes best fit the circumstances of each situation. Alleged Student Rules violations such as those involving sexual violence cannot be mediated per guidance from the Office of Civil Rights related to Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Additionally, please note that victim/offender mediation may not be appropriate for all forms of power based personal violence. Other potential violations of the Student Conduct Code remain in the jurisdiction of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Throughout the year, the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity offers a variety of workshop and training opportunities in mediation for faculty and administrators, including the 40-hour Basic Mediation Training. If you are interested in receiving information about these training opportunities please email Nikki Cavender at ncavender@tamu.edu.

Yes, we have trained mediators on campus. These individuals completed a minimum of 40 hours of basic training for mediators recommended by the State Bar of Texas. A list of mediators can be found here.