The David O. McKcay Center

For
Intercultural Understanding

PEER MEDIATION FAQ

What is Mediation?

Mediation is any process for resolving disputes in which an impartial third party helps the parties in dispute resolve differences, reconcile relationships and negotiate a settlement or agreement.

What Are the Benefits of Mediation?

Mediation provides opportunity to clear misunderstanding and suspicion, to go directly to the source of the conflict and begin a healing process.  Through mediation relationships can be reconciled and further conflict avoided.

What kind of honor code violations can be mediated?

Currently dress and grooming violations and disputes between students or between students and staff can be mediated.  Other violations are handled separately by either the Honor Code office or your Bishop.

What Are the Roles of the Mediator?

Mediators act as impartial facilitators of a process that promotes understanding and openness between the conflict parties   Mediators do not try to determine who is at fault or what is true.  Mediators work to help both parties hear one another, resolve issues, and work towards reconciliation.

What are Peer Mediators?

Peer mediators are students just like you.  However, each peer mediator will have at least 40 hours of training in mediation and be approved by the McKay Center Director.

Peer mediators serve as important role models that not only value the honor code, but also have developed important problem solving skills. Peer mediators tend to have a greater understanding and empathy for issues facing the university and hold relationships that can encourage others to honor university values.

Willthis be Confidential?

Mediation is always confidential.  Mediators are required to sign a confidentiality agreement. 
Violation of the agreement will result in a Honor Code violation.

How Long Does Mediation Take?

Mediation time can vary, but usually it ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

For small disputes in can be much shorter.

What Are the Stages of Mediation?

Mediators open the session with a welcome and an explanation of the mediation process.  Each party will have opportunity to speak.  An exchange takes place in which mediators assist discussion and honesty, making sure each party is heard and each is protected. 
Mediators will help shift discussion toward an agreement on issues needing resolution once parties have felt mutually understood.  Parties will work through issues themselves, generating ideas and alternatives to create a jointly satisfactory solution.  If parties are able to find agreement a formal statement can be written and signed during which mediators
will review what has been accomplished, remind parties of next steps, thank them for participation, and wish them luck.

Is the mediation binding?

Both parties have to agree, in writing, on an outcome for the mediation to become binding.  Either party has the right to terminate the mediation at any time and resort back to the traditional Honor Code process.

I’d like to be a mediator, how can I get involved?

The David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding offers an Intercultural Peacebuilding Certificate to students.  As part of the certificate you will learn how to mediate and can become a certified mediator.  See your academic advisor to find out how to register.