USM Mediation Program

The University seeks to provide a comfortable, welcoming, and supportive living and learning environment for all who live and work at the University. All members of the campus community are encouraged to resolve problems and complaints informally as they arise. When additional help is needed, mediation can assist to help resolve conflicts in an informal and confidential setting.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential process that helps two or more people in conflict to articulate their issues and goals, communicate about the situation, and try to reach a constructive resolution.

Mediators are trained neutral facilitators who help the parties in a conflict to work together on the issues that are important to them.

Mediators do not advise, recommend, or make decisions. All decisions are made by the parties.

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Why Use Mediation?

• Mediation is private and confidential.
• Mediation encourages the parties to reach creative solutions.
• It works! Mediated agreements work because the parties to the dispute have designed them and are committed to them.

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What Issues Can Be Mediated?

Just about anything: interpersonal conflicts, student group issues, racial, cultural or gender issues, work related issues. The primary constraint is that both parties must agree to participate in the mediation.

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Who are the Mediators?

USM has a roster of students, staff, and faculty who are trained mediators. We try to accommodate any preferences that parties may have about who their mediators will be —with respect to gender, University status, race, or other factors. Mediators are also screened to assure their neutrality in relationship to the parties involved and the issues.

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Who Can Use Mediation at USM?

Anyone—staff, students, and faculty.

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How Does it Work?

• Contact Nolan Thompson, voice mail: 780-4073 or e-mail thompson@usm.maine.edu to request mediation.
• We call you within two days.
• The mediation coordinator talks by phone with the requesting party to explore whether or not mediation is appropriate.
• If the contacting party wishes to go forward, the mediation coordinator gets in touch with the other party to see if he or she is willing to participate in mediation. Both parties participate voluntarily.
• The coordinator selects a pair of mediators and schedules the mediation session, usually within a few days of the first contact, at a time convenient for all.
• At the start of the mediation session all parties sign a written request for mediation, which confirms the confidentiality of the discussion.
• The mediators facilitate the conversation and discuss the guidelines for a safe and fair environment.
• You and the other party tell your stories and hear each other’s point of view.
• The mediators listen and ask questions
• Mediators may sometimes meet privately with each party to further explore the issues.
• A typical mediation lasts 2-3 hours. Either party can withdraw from the mediation at any point. If needed, additional sessions can be scheduled by mutual agreement.
• Both parties to the dispute contribute to working out a mutually agreeable solution.

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