NC State University

Mediation

POL 05.35.1

May 21, 1997 Archived version

Mediation Policy

Authority:  Board of Trustees

History: First issued, April 19, 1996. Last Revised, April 20, 2001. Additional History Information.

Additional References: UNC Code: Appendix I.C, Administrative Regulation - Mediation Procedure for Faculty and Staff

  1. ELIGIBILITY

    2. Any University employee or currently enrolled student may request mediation services.

  2. ISSUES TO BE MEDIATED

    3. The mediation service provided under this policy is intended to be an informal alternative to existing University grievance procedures.

  3. CONFIDENTIALITY

    4. Confidentiality will be discussed at the beginning of each mediation and an agreement will be reached by all parties concerning the confidentiality of the process.

  4. PROCESS

    5. 4.1 The mediation request must be made to the Division of Human Resources. One or more members of the NCSU Mediators Group will serve as mediator. For purposes of assigning a mediator, five broad classifications are recognized: SPA, EPA, professional, EPA faculty, undergraduate student, and graduate student. If all parties are within one classification, one mediator from that classification will be assigned unless otherwise requested and agreed upon by all parties. An exception to this procedure is that undergraduate and graduate student mediators will always be assigned with a co-mediator from one of the SPA or EPA classifications. If the parties involved are from two or more of the classifications, one mediator from each classification involved may be assigned unless otherwise requested and agreed upon by all parties.

    4.2 Within ten (10) business days of the initial request, the mediator will contact all parties separately to explain the mediation process.

    4.3 If both parties agree to attempt mediation, the mediator will schedule the first meeting within one week of the agreement of both parties. At any time during the process, either party may withdraw and the mediation effort will end.

    All parties must agree to extensions or changes of deadlines.

    Scheduling of subsequent meetings will be agreed on by all parties.

    4.4 During the mediation process each party will have an opportunity to describe the situation or problem as they see it. Issues of importance to each party will be identified and the needs of each party, which must be met in a settlement, will be clarified and agreed upon by both parties.

    4.5 Mediation will result in a written settlement composed and signed by all parties (not the mediator). The parties involved will determine who will receive copies of the statement. The purpose of the statement is:

    4.5.1 Clarification of the points of the agreement

    4.5.2 Specific definition of the exchanges the parties have agreed upon

    4.5.3 Establishment of a permanent record of the settlement agreement

    4.5.4 Definition of the terms of future interaction

    4.5.5 Creation of standards by which the parties' compliance with the terms of the settlement can be measured

    If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the mediator will discontinue the mediation process.