UCI Mediation Program

Mediation is appropriate when:

• Maintaining a relationship with the other party is important.
• The parties know each other.
• Boundaries have been crossed due to inappropriate words or behaviors.
• One party feels uncomfortable talking to the other party unless a mediator is present.
• The parties work together and cannot avoid the conflict.
• A decision must be reached soon.
• Other people are involved and are directly or indirectly affected.
• One or both parties want to avoid formal proceedings.

Mediation is not appropriate when:

• Key parties are unwilling to participate.
• Parties are coerced to participate.
• Parties don't come to the table in good faith.
• Parties want to use mediation as a way to gather information to use against the other party in a formal or legal proceeding.
• An issue needs to be formally investigated and brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

Types of disputes that are mediated:

• Conflicts between student groups or organizations on campus.
• Interdepartmental disputes involving multiple parties.
• Roommate problems.
• Inappropriate behaviors.
• Inappropriate use of language or pejorative words.
• Abuse of power.
• The breakdown of communication between dual or multiple parties.
• Alleged academic honesty violations.
• Disputes involving management and staff.
• Disputes involving co-workers.
• Disputes involving faculty.
• Disputes involving TAs and students.
• Cases investigated by the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity involving allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination which have been referred to the mediation program for follow-up.
• Other cases as appropriate.