Mediation is a form of dispute resolution in which a trained mediator helps the parties in conflict to negotiate a mutually satisfying resolution.

Any faculty member, staff member or student may request a mediation to resolve disputes with other faculty, staff or students. Participation in mediation is completely voluntary; all parties involved must agree to a mediation before it can be initiated. The acceptance or refusal of any party to participate in mediation will not be considered in any grievance proceeding if the dispute is later submitted as a grievance.

Time spent in mediation is considered part of the workday, and you will not be required to take leave to participate. Supervisors should make reasonable efforts to enable employees to be available to participate in mediation.

If you are involved in a conflict that you have been unable to resolve, you can request mediation by contacting one of the ADR co-liaisons:
   Dr. Myrna Gantner [678-839-6126; email: mgantner "at" westga.edu ]
   Ms. Donjanea Fletcher [678-839-6428; email: dfletche "at" westga.edu ]

These two co-liaisons administer the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program in cooperation with the Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

If you would like to schedule an on-campus workshop regarding conflict resolution for students, staff or faculty, please contact Patricia Pinkard [678-839-6405; email: ppinkard "at" westga.edu].

The ADR co-liaisons will review your situation to determinate if mediation could be helpful and will seek the consent of all parties involved. If mediation is appropriate for your situation and all parties agree to it, one or more trained mediators appointed by the co-liaisons will assist in negotiating the dispute. The mediator(s) will meet with all parties to help discuss conflicts and attempt to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

All parties will be given the opportunity to present their sides of the issue. Because mediation is not a legal proceeding, rules of evidence do not apply, and you may discuss anything related to the issue that you believe will help to lead to a resolution. You may request to bring an advisor to the meeting if you wish. The mediator(s) will decide whether or not to allow the advisor to attend, as well as how much the advisor may participate in the process.

A mediator does not take sides or decide who wins or loses a dispute. Instead, he or she acts as a neutral third party who establishes a fair and structured process to facilitate communication and mutual decision-making. The goal of mediation is for the parties in conflict to create their own agreement for a solution. No resolution will be imposed by the mediator(s).

Successful results are not guaranteed in mediation. If you should fail to reach an acceptable resolution, you may still pursue other avenues to resolve your dispute.

Not all disputes are appropriate for mediation. Some examples are:

disputes that have been subject to a final ruling in accordance with university policies and procedures;

conflicts involving purely academic decisions, such as faculty assessment of a student's work;

disagreements over trivial matters;

allegations of sexual harassment;

complaints of discrimination based on protected class;

disputes that have no relation to the university.

Mediation promotes a win-win resolution to disputes.

Dialogue tends to generate creative options for ending conflict.

Participants agree only to solutions that are acceptable to them.

Due to the collaborative approach, resolutions may preserve and even enhance relationships.

Mediation is less adversarial and costly than litigation and less time-consuming than the grievance process.

The discussions held during mediation are confidential unless conduct by either party is criminal in nature, or threats of violence are made that lead the mediator(s) to reasonably believe someone's safety is at risk, or in any other situation required by law. The mediator(s) will not retain any notes taken during meetings, and tape recordings of proceedings are not permitted. The mediator(s) cannot testify for or against any party should the dispute later be pursued through grievance or legal proceedings.

If a resolution is reached, the mediator(s) will write up the agreement for all parties to sign. A copy of the agreement will be given to the individual parties but not retained by the mediator(s). The mediator(s) will inform the ADR co-liaisons whether or not an agreement was reached, but will not discuss the mediation with them or give them a copy of the agreement.