Mediation@MIT

Mediation Services

What is mediation? | Why use Mediation@MIT? | What issues can be mediated?
Who can use Mediation@MIT? | Who are the mediators? | How does it work?
How do I request mediation, or find out more?

What is mediation?

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

Mediators are members of the MIT community trained as neutral facilitators to help the parties in a conflict to work together on the issues that are important to them.

Mediators do not make decisions about who is right or wrong or how things should be resolved--all decisions are made by the parties. It's a process to help parties come to a mutual decision to resolve their differences.

Why use Mediation@MIT?

• Mediation is separate from any formal disciplinary process, so no one gets in trouble.
• Mediation is private and confidential*.
• Mediation is flexible and can help you reach creative solutions.
• It works! In 70-80% of cases, people reach some resolution through mediation.
• Mediated agreements work because both parties have designed them and committed to them.

What issues can be mediated?

Just about anything: noise, money, chores, group lab projects, privacy, interpersonal conflict, student group issues, and racial, cultural or gender issues. The primary premise is that both parties must agree to participate in the mediation.

If you are unsure whether your conflict with another person (or persons) is appropriate for mediation, contact the Mediation@MIT coordinator at mediation@mit.edu or 617- 258-8423. You can talk to the Mediation Coordinator in confidence for information or a consultation.

Who can use Mediation@MIT?

Mediation@MIT offers mediation services to graduate and undergraduate students for conflicts involving other students. Mediation for matters involving anyone employed by MIT is available through the Office of the Ombudsman, 253-5921 (that includes teaching assistants, residence advisors or graduate residence tutors--in their capacities as employees of MIT).

Who are the mediators?

MIT Volunteers. Our pool of mediators is a diverse group of MIT undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and faculty. All have completed our training program. (Read more about our Mediator Training)

In the interests of confidentiality* and neutrality, mediators will always be people unknown to either party.

How does it work?

1. One of the parties contacts Mediation@MIT (phone: 617-258-8423; email: mediation@mit.edu) to request mediation or find out more.
2. The Mediation@MIT coordinator talks to the requesting party to explore whether or not mediation is appropriate.
3. If the requesting party wishes to go forward, the Mediation@MIT coordinator gets in touch with the other party to see if he/she is willing to participate in mediation. In order to proceed both parties must voluntarily participate.
4. The coordinator selects a pair of mediators and schedules the mediation session at a time convenient for all, usually within a few days of the first contact.
5. At the start of the mediation session all parties sign a written agreement to mediate which confirms the confidentiality* of the discussion.
6. The mediators facilitate discussion of the issues, and possible ways of resolving the situation. Mediators may sometimes meet privately with each party to further explore the issues.
7. A typical mediation lasts 2 hours. Either party can withdraw from the mediation at any point. If needed, additional sessions can be scheduled by mutual agreement.
8. If the parties reach points of agreement, the mediators help them record those points. A final agreement, if reached, can be written or verbal. MIT does not enforce the agreement, and there are no punishments or disciplinary consequences associated with non-compliance--not even any official record of the dispute. Mediated agreements tend to hold up well, however, because both parties have contributed to them, and no one needs to sign any agreement he or she does not feel comfortable with.

How do I request mediation, or find out more?

To request mediation, or to find out more about the program and the mediation process, send an e-mail to mediation@mit.edu, or call us at 617-258-8423.

* Confidentiality Policy: We keep all conversations in confidence and will only share with the permission of the visitor or party - except in the unusual situation of imminent risk of harm to self or others.